Olive (Emma Stone, who got nominated for a Golden Globe for the role) makes up a little white lie as an excuse for why she didn't go camping with her friend. She casually says she lost her virginity to a college boy. Queue the rumor mill, suddenly Olive finds herself the talk of the school. At first she doesn't mind the extra attention, and uses it to help a gay friend who's being tormented at school. They pretend to hook up, and that leads to Olive playing up her new reputation. Conveniently they are studying The Scarlett Letter in school, so she switches out her casual wardrobe for tight corsets and sky high heels, all with a red "A" embroidered to her shirt. What starts out as a joke suddenly goes too far.
The best word to describe this cast is "Charming." Emma Stone, Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson, Thomas Hayden Church and Aly Milchalka are charming in their roles. Tucci and Clarkson as probably the coolest parents in recent movie history. Church is an equally cool teacher. Milchalka, playing Olive's self absorbed best friend has plenty of amusing lines throughout. (see: Lady-balls)
The movie pokes fun at a lot of 80's romantic comedies. Olive states throughout the film that she wants John Cusak outside her window and a musical number for "no reason." It never once feels like a dumb romantic comedy, it feels smart and fresh.
Recommended: Yes
Grade: B
Memorable Quote: "Perhaps you should get a wardrobe, you abominable twat." - Olive (Emma Stone)
