In a year of feel-good movies, 'Young Adult' stands out as one of the biggest exceptions. Written with welcome vitriol by Diablo Cody and directed without any cloying pretense by Jason Reitman, the film focuses on Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron), a busted YA author who wallows in booze, Diet Coke, one-night stands and the idea she is still destined for the greatness -- and her married former boyfriend -- that her high-school years as Queen Bee promised. Mavis is self-destructive and mostly awful, but it's hard not to empathize with her at times; after all, who doesn't harbor the hope for "more than this." Well, maybe one person: Matt Freehauf (Patton Oswalt), an old high-school classmate of Mavis who has long closed off his heart to anything more than his lot in life. The relationship that forms between Mavis and Matt makes up the bulk of this anti-romcom, and hurdle 'Young Adult' toward its unwavering climax. This is a movie that basically should not have been made; that it was -- that Mavis, as unlikable a lead character as has graced the screen in a while, exists -- is good news for viewers. Also, bad news, since 'Young Adult' could make you ask some harsh questions about yourself while looking in the mirror. -- C.R.

In a year of feel-good movies, 'Young Adult' stands out as one of the biggest exceptions. Written with welcome vitriol by Diablo Cody and directed without any cloying pretense by Jason Reitman, the film focuses on Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron), a busted YA author who wallows in booze, Diet Coke, one-night stands and the idea she is still destined for the greatness -- and her married former boyfriend -- that her high-school years as Queen Bee promised. Mavis is self-destructive and mostly awful, but it's hard not to empathize with her at times; after all, who doesn't harbor the hope for "more than this." Well, maybe one person: Matt Freehauf (Patton Oswalt), an old high-school classmate of Mavis who has long closed off his heart to anything more than his lot in life. The relationship that forms between Mavis and Matt makes up the bulk of this anti-romcom, and hurdle 'Young Adult' toward its unwavering climax. This is a movie that basically should not have been made; that it was -- that Mavis, as unlikable a lead character as has graced the screen in a while, exists -- is good news for viewers. Also, bad news, since 'Young Adult' could make you ask some harsh questions about yourself while looking in the mirror. -- C.R.