You Again: Movie Review

With a star cast and its likable story, You Again gives families a good movie option this weekend. It’s clean and enjoyable entertainment, with a kid-friendly rating of PG. Perfectly pitting Sigourney Weaver against Jamie Lee Curtis, and up-and-comers Kristen Bell with Odette Yustman, the comedy flick puts grown-ups back in high school as their lives intertwine years later.

THE MOVIE IN A MINUTE

Marni (Kristen Bell) has done everything she can to put her embarrassing high school years behind her. She’s just landed a promotion at a public relations firm in New York City, but a trip home for her brother’s wedding shakes her newfound confidence. Days before the big day, Marni realizes his bride is J.J. (Odette Yustman), the one who single-handedly made her life miserable in high school. In a turn of events, Marni's mom (Jamie Lee Curtis) also gets a shock from the past when she meets J.J.’s wealthy aunt – who happens to be her ex-best friend from high school, Ramona (Sigourney Weaver). With tensions high all around, Marni orchestrates events to take her arch nemesis down, saving her brother from marrying the enemy.

YOU AGAIN: DOES IT MEASURE UP?

These days, comedies start at PG-13 and work up from there, rarely holding back on sexual content and foul language (like in last week's reviewed movie, Easy A). However, that is not the case with You Again. With the only offense being PG-rated language, You Again is a fun flick older children, teens, and adults can watch without guilt or reservation.

The story's preoccupation with Marni taking revenge against J.J. is countered by her realization that the past is the past, and all should be forgiven. People can change, and grudges need to be let go. The script is funny, sweet, and relatable. Most of us had those embarrassing moments and though they may be distant memories from decades ago, they aren't forgotten. The simple messages of forgiveness and reconciliation are nice takeaways from this modern-day comedy.

Thecast makes the movie. Funny girl Kristen Bell (recently seen starring with Josh Duhamel in When in Rome) plays the pimple-faced high schooler, turned PR exec who discovers her high school torturer is about to become her sister-in-law. Bell's comedic timing is always on and her likable nature just jumps off the screen, which is good because the girl keeps landing gigs (she has six other movies in the making). Her supporting cast includes some big Hollywood names: Sigourney Weaver, Jamie Lee Curtis, Victor Garber, Kristin Chenoweth, and Betty White. Two fairly new faces show off their acting chops as well: James Wolk (star of the new FOX TV show, Lonestar) and Odette Yustman, who made her debut as little Rosa in Kindergarten Cop back in the ‘90s.

IN THE END

With a clean record and some hilarious moments, You Again is a good choice for families.