Poignant coming-of-age in Young Adult

It features Oscar-winning Charlize Theron in top form; her performance as a lonely a writer of teen literature who returns to her small home town to relive her glory days and attempt to reclaim her happily married high school sweetheart is guaranteed to win you over and turn you into an even greater admirer of this extraordinary actress.

If you think Theron was out of this world in Monster, wait until you see her in action in Young Adult; she not only proves that she has star quality, but is also a formidable and accomplished actress who can steal (and break) any heart.

Three Therons

There are actually three Therons in Young Adult: she is delightful as the despicable and rude monster of a human being, seductive as hell as the insatiable and unstoppable huntress, and totally mesmerising as a fragile and vulnerable woman who comes to understand the true meaning of love and friendship. Theron does not need special visual or make-up effects to convince: her natural and flawless transformation is remarkable; when her character goes through a change and shifts gear, it has the impact of a sledgehammer hitting your forehead.

Equally impressive and as memorable as always, Patrick Wilson (Passengers, Angels in America), is fantastic as the high school sweetheart who got away; he is truly huggable as the studly jock who will always haunt the memories of older lovers who reflect on their youth, and he is equally powerful as man caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, a man who has to stand firm and choose between love and lust.

A wonderful raw energy

Theron and Wilson sizzle; whether they are in heated conversation or silently looking at each other, there's a wonderful raw energy between them as performers that sets this film on fire.

If there's one performance that contributes to that of the dynamic duo, it's Patton Oswalt, a stand-up comedian, writer, actor and voice actor who is best known for portraying Spencer Olchin in the popular sitcom The King Of Queens, and voicing Remy from the film Ratatouille.

Oswalt is outstanding as Theron's former classmate, a "Mr Invisible" whose adoration is doomed as he stands no chance of ever dating a woman of her calibre.

Young Adult reunites director Jason Reitman and screenwriter Diablo Cody (Juno). If there's one director who knows how to turn Cody's crackling script into spicy and sizzling action, hilarious comedic situations and explosive dramatic confrontation, it's Reitman, who shows that with films like Up In The Air and Young Adult, he is a skilled visionary who understands the human condition and is a master of romance.

Following in the tradition of the classic Hepburn and Tracy romantic comedies (Adam's Rib and Without Love, among others), and love stories like Breakfast at Tiffany's, Reitman understands his subject matter and fuses it brilliantly with a poignant coming-of-age story; his interpretation is heartfelt and sincere, without ever using contextual gimmicks to dazzle his audience.

Furry creature that steals the film

And, yes, there's another furry creature that steals the film: Theron's furry creature is adorable and as with films like Beginners and The Artist, Young Adult shows that all it takes to us what it us like to be human, is a loyal and lovable pooch.

Although Young Adult comes across as a hilarious comedy, it is a potent film that guarantees to satisfy the appetite of both discerning and commercial audiences.

It offers ideal entertainment with powerhouse performances for anyone who has ever been in love, muses over lost love, or is simply searching for ideal love. It's a film that offers both a heart-breaking love story and also a moving coming-of-age story.

Young Adult proves that love does indeed make the world spin round and that, through loving and being loved, we will understand who we are and come to terms with the insecurities that prevent us from breaking out of misunderstood and hopeless romantic liaisons.

Behind the scenes

By accident rather than design, Charlize Theron took a three-year break from acting recently. Starring in Jason Reitman's hilarious black comedy Young Adult marks a welcome return and it was, she said, the best working experience she's ever had. "It really was. And that's quite something because I've had really amazing experiences. I think it was a combination of several things - the role, working with Jason, the material and the fact that I hadn't really acted for three years. "And to go back and have my first film in three years be Young Adult with Jason on a 30-day shoot, no hair and make-up, sweat pants every day and go to work and do some amazing character studies, was just a joy. Every single day I had a giant smile on my face and I don't think I've ever laughed so much."

Born and raised in South Africa, and after a blossoming career as a ballet dancer was cut short by an injury, she turned to acting, with films like That Thing You Do!, Trail and Error, 2 Days In The Valley, The Devil's Advocate and The Astronaut's Wife. Her remarkable performance as serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2004. In 2011 she finished the science fiction thriller Prometheus for director Ridley Scott and will also star as the Evil Queen in Snow White and The Huntsman (released on 1 June).

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