'Young Adult': Patton Oswalt & Diablo Cody On Their New Dark Comedy (VIDEO)

"Young Adult," the new film from screenwriter Diablo Cody and director Jason Reitman, offers a chilling twist on a time-tested formula. Our heroine, if you can call her that, is Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron), a beautiful former prom queen who returns home to rekindle the flame with her high school boyfriend. Classic rom-com setup, except that the ex-boyfriend is married with a newborn baby -- and Mavis, in Cody's darkly comic telling, is soon revealed to be an alcoholic, narcissistic, sociopathic stalker. Mavis is assisted in her quest -- reluctantly, to say the least -- by Matt Freehauf (Patton Oswalt), a lifelong geek who is dazzled by Mavis's beauty even as he recoils at her heedless depravity.

As the film's opening date approached, Cody and Oswalt joined Huffington Post founding editor Roy Sekoff for a conversation at the Los Angeles home of Arianna Huffington. Their lively and wide-ranging discussion touched on Cody's inspiration for writing the script, Patton's preparation for the role (and -- SPOILER ALERT -- his awkward sex scene with Theron), the film's provocative structure and themes, and the harsh truth that people like Mavis, both male and female, do indeed "walk among us."

Comments

[JHBH]

01:41 AM on 12/21/2011

I predict Oscar nominations for Charlize Theron and Diablo Cody, maybe even second wins for each of them. Patton Oswalt was super, too. Jason Reitman is the real deal. Easily one of the best films this year.

[rascalcat]

05:02 AM on 12/20/2011

I didn't know Diablo Cody was the screenwriter for this. I'm in!

[django707]

02:46 AM on 12/20/2011

Theron is always luminous. Script is Emperor's New Clothes Witless.

[ColinStevens]

11:47 PM on 12/19/2011

My GOD, Cody is hot.

[flow555]

11:38 PM on 12/19/2011

Hey I like this little interview and the format of doing it in the middle of a party at AH's house. I also like the Z camera angle.... perched on stairs? It works.

Nicely done.

[John Rathe]

09:41 PM on 12/19/2011

Diablo Cody is the ultimate pretentious hipster name. Guessing she was born something like Beth Johnson?

[Sweat Hog]

10:02 PM on 12/19/2011

Easy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diablo_Cody

[John Rathe]

11:04 PM on 12/19/2011

Yeah. I just couldn't bring myself to care beyond making a dig at her ridiculously pretentious name.

[ColinStevens]

11:46 PM on 12/19/2011

Brooke Busey was her original name. Do you also condemn Bob Dylan for changing his name? Good grief.

[John Rathe]

01:12 AM on 12/20/2011

Easy tiger, I'm poking fun at the hipster. No need to get your panties in a knot.

[John Rathe]

01:13 AM on 12/20/2011

Bob. Diablo. See the difference?

[XLT]

09:15 PM on 12/19/2011

*Sponsored Comment*
I would love to see DC's ample backside and bulbous saddlebags in some stonewashed skin tight mom jeans.

[Igor Purlantov]

09:12 PM on 12/19/2011

Patton Oswalt & Diablo Cody make a good combination. Should make for an entertaining movie.

www.igor-purlantov.com

[cowanln]

08:41 PM on 12/19/2011

Patton Oswalt is one of the greatest Comedians around, I'll watch anything he's in.

[Jerry Tetro]

07:27 PM on 12/19/2011

Is it only me, or does this Steve guy post too much and says nothing. Get a life stevie! I just probably violated some sacred blog law of the HP and never will be able to post again !

[Jerry Tetro]

07:14 PM on 12/19/2011

I saw it this weekend, another gutsy role for Charlize but you know what the movie would not have worked without her playing the main role in this flick, just too dark too be real popular. I gave it a look because she was in it. Patrick Wilson will be the next major male star. he is the best kept secret playing these dark roles up against these talented ladies, Winslet, Theron,etc. makes them all look good in their roles!

[nbart71]

06:31 PM on 12/19/2011

"I...envy the tattoo artist who had that huge canvas of arm fat to work with." -Stewie Griffin on former stipper Diablo Cody.

[django707]

02:50 AM on 12/20/2011

Lovin that one!

[NoWayMan]

05:51 PM on 12/19/2011

did she rip this one off from a korean movie as well?

[drumtosurprise]

05:40 PM on 12/19/2011

This movie is an Oscar Nomination for Theron. Well written scripts make movies worth watching. Praise Diablo Cody.

[Film Shark]

05:22 PM on 12/19/2011

I saw 'Young Adult' over the weekend. Charlize Theron gives a perfect performance. Patton Oswalt's role in the film is crucial as the devil's advocate to Theron's condescending behavior throughout the film. Here is my movie review: http://www.examiner.com/movies-in-boise/young-adult-movie-review-review