Review: You Again (2010)

Director: Andy Fickman | 105 minutes | comedy, romance | Actors: Kristen Bell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver, Odette Yustman, Victor Garber, Betty White, James Wolk, Kristin Chenoweth, Sean Wing, Kyle Bornheimer, Billy Unger, Christine Lakin, Meagan Holder, Patrick Duffy, Anna A. White, Brytni Sarpy, Gelsey Weiss,

For some teenagers, high school is a real hell. They look dull with their jam jar glasses, pockmarked faces and greasy hair. Marni (Kristen Bell) from the romantic comedy “You Again” (2010) is such an archetypal piss. Fortunately, her high school days are well behind her and she has not only “dried up” well but has also built a successful career in the world of public relations and marketing. She no longer thinks about those horrible teenage years, until… her older brother Will (James Wolk) has hooked up with the biggest bully of the past, Joanna (Odette Yustman). When the lovebirds announce their intention to marry, Marni is once again confronted with her traumatic past. She hopes to be able to close the book for good, but that turns out to be less easy than expected.

Andy Fickman’s comedy “You Again” is overflowing with clichés. Of course, the tyrant of the past has turned into a charitable angel, who has wrapped the entire family. Of course she does not recognize Marni when she sees her again after about five years (or she pretends). Naturally, Marni feels cornered and decides to take rigorous measures to confront Joanna (and her family) with the past … That Marni’s mother Gail (Jamie Lee Curtis), who keeps telling her daughter about what happened her own unresolved issues that come up again when she is confronted with Joanna’s aunt Ramona (Sigourney Weaver), is still somewhat original. However, the predictability at which the quarrels and inconveniences are expressed ultimately eradicates that little touch of authenticity that can be found in “You Again”. So fill in for yourself how everything will work out again.

You wonder what this really nice cast saw on paper in the script full of cardboard characters. Kristen Bell, who carries the film on her slender shoulders, often gets these kinds of roles. Who will finally give this woman a role where she can actually show what she can do? Yustman and Wolk are beautiful people to look at, but their characters are as flat as a dime. The older guard has to pull the cart here and may not do that impressively, but at least with great pleasure. Though their storyline is treading the beaten track, Weaver and Curtis shine as they battle their old feud. Their inter-scenes are by far the best “You Again” has to offer. Good old Betty White (88!) Ensures a broad smile. As grandma Bunny, the “Golden Girl” has a comical note a few times and you have to laugh in advance at an ugly face like hers.

But a Betty White on fire and a few frenzied confrontations between Weaver and Curtis are not enough to make you forget the laundry list of negatives. Not all “You Again” “violations” count equally in the judgment. However, the dire lack of originality and the associated predictability are inexcusable!