I never meant to hurt you (Young Adult review/an ode to being young and dumb)

I'm talking with a friend about movies and I am about to say that Young Adult (2011) is cute, but I stop myself. I could see how someone might not enjoy this movie. The main character, Mavis, is not a likable character. At times, she is just terrible. However, I (and I think people who had dumb moments in their youth, which is hopefully almost everyone) could relate to her. You don't want to like her, but, still, at times, you find yourself hoping she wakes up and pulls herself together. You hope she grows up.

I didn't know what to expect from the movie. It had Patton Oswalt in it, sure, but the ads for it made it come off a bit fluffy. I hate the phrase "dark comedy" as it seems any quirky comedy is labeled that, but this really is a dark comedy. It is not a happy light fluffy film yet you (or at least I) manage many laughs during it.

I am a pushover for a good soundtrack. The movie starts off with a song by Teenage Fanclub and the soundtrack just keeps getting better. The 90s idolatry sucked me in.

Essentially, Mavis is in her late 30s and still behaves as a self-centered, spoiled teenager, focused on herself and having a good time. She decides to go back to her hometown to get her boyfriend (now married with child) back. He's settled in to family life and seems to enjoy it. His wife is totally awesome (part time drummer, full time teacher of emotionally challenged children). Yet, Mavis is obvious and tries to seduce him. At times, it's over the top. Most of the time, it's cringe-worthy. You can't believe she can be so blind and you secretly hope you never, ever acted like that. She thinks everyone (even Oswalt’s character, who was severely beaten back in high school) has it better than she does and that she should get all the sympathy (the film does touch slightly on some of her issues – hair pulling, a miscarriage, and heavier on others – her alcoholism).

There is no pulling herself together. And that is awesome. She gets all dolled up to pursue the man (her ex) she thinks is made for her. They kiss (eventually) but that's it. He doesn't leave the wife for her. She ends up sleeping with Oswalt’s character (and you can see that coming fairly early on) but, at the end of the movie, the actress playing Oswalt’s sister (who had mad hero worship of Mavis) convinces Mavis that she is wonderful just the way she is – oblivious, rude, delusional. There is no epiphany that makes Mavis change for the “better.” No. She agrees that she is pretty awesome and goes back to her car to head back to the big city. The end.

The movie also stops dramatically, with a few loose ends dangling in the air. It was a bit frustrating yet refreshing. This movie can’t have a storybook ending . Mavis will continue being Mavis, maybe forever and while most of us don’t agree, most of us want her to be more "adult,"it seems just fine with her.