28. Easy A (Feature Film)

Easy A (Feature Film) 
2010

Directed by Will Gluck

Screen Gems

Total Running Time: 92 minutes

Plot Summary

It all starts when Olive Penderghast lies to her best friend, Rhiannon, in order to get out of going camping with her and her parents.  At school on Monday, Rhiannon assumes that Olive lost her virginity and after much prodding, she gives in and confirms Rhiannon’s assumption.  When Marianne overhears Olive’s admission, she spreads the rumor around school and soon the lie takes on a life of its own.  Coincidentally, Olive’s English class is studying The Scarlet Letter, mirroring Olive’s experience as her fellow students attempt to shame her.  After confessing to her friend, Brandon, that she lied, he confesses that he is gay and in order to stop the bullying he is subjected to, he proposes that they pretend to sleep together.  When Brandon tells a friend about their arrangement, he offers to pay her so that he can tell people they fooled around.  This only feeds the rumor mill, as people believe Olive is having sex for money.   In order to fight against the harassment, Olive embraces her new identity by dressing more provocatively and stitching a scarlet “A” on her clothing.  However, she comes to realize that the lies have turned into something she can no longer deal with. 

Critical Evaluation

I thoroughly enjoyed Easy A, particularly because of the star of the film, Emma Stone.  She is an extremely likable actress and conveys a smart and witty Olive Penderghast.  The writing also creates an original character that recognizes the hypocrisies present in high school.  Even though she has the strength to withstand the criticism and harassment she experiences at school, the film shows Olive’s vulnerability, demonstrating the side of her that lamented her invisibility in the beginning.  The two actors playing her parents, Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson, also help the film.  In contrast to the teen comedies that have goofy or barely present parents, Easy A includes two involved parents that trust their children in all aspects of their lives.  If they believe their children need advice, they are more than willing to offer some, but they do not force any beliefs on them.  In addition, the film gives several nods to teen comedies of the eighties, including Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and other John Hughes films.  For instance, Todd holds up his iPod speakers outside of Olive’s window, referencing the scene from Say Anything when John Cusack stood outside his girlfriend’s house and held up the boom box.  By including references to these classic teen movies, Easy A demonstrates respect for the successful films from years past and lets viewers reminisce about the most memorable scenes.  Overall, the film is a smart teen comedy with a main character to which we can all relate.

Reader's Annotation

Invisible to the rest of the school, Olive inadvertently starts a rumor that gets her a reputation.  Even though it is a bad reputation, Olive welcomes the attention until the nonstop stream of rumors starts to become too much.

Information About the Director

Will's career started off writing for The John Larroquette Show and then he went on to write and produce for shows like Grosse Pointe, Luis and Andy Richter Controls the Universe.  He co-created and produced the Fox series The Loop with Pam Brady. He then became a feature director and his first effort was the film Fired Up which was released on February 20, 2009. 

His next film was 2010's Easy A, which he also rewrote and produced. It grossed over $75 million worldwide and was nominated for a People's Choice Award, Golden Globe Award (for Emma Stone), Critics Choice Award for Best Comedy (which it won), GLAAD award, and A.C.E. award, among others. (information retrieved from director’s Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Gluck)

Genre

Teen Comedy

Curriculum Ties

English – This film can be used as a modern interpretation of The Scarlet Letter.

Booktalking Ideas

1. Focus on the use of The Scarlet Letter in the film.

2. Compare the spread of rumors in the film to those in real life.

3. Discuss the relationship between Olive and Todd.

4. Talk about the relationship Olive has with her parents.

Reading Level/Interest Age

13+

Challenge Issues

The film is rated PG-13 for sexual situations, language, and drug material.

When confronted with complaints about this film, librarians should become familiar with the material and its content.  Turn to reviews listed on Amazon.com, as well as reviews from teens that have seen the film.  Also, it is beneficial for librarians to present reasons backed by the ALA in support of intellectual freedom.  As stated in the Library Bill of Rights:

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

Why Include Film in Selection? 

I saw the trailer for this film and it looked like an interesting take on teen comedy.