Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the loosely based modern version of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlett Letter sees Olive take a simple rumour, and watches it become out of hand.
Olive Penderghast (Emma Stone) is your average teenager trying to get through High School, like any other American teenager. Alongside her is best friend Rhiannon (Alyson Michalka) battling High School with her. In her favourite lesson with her favourite teacher Mr Griffith (Thomas Haden Church), Olive is beginning to study The Scarlett Letter – which becomes relevant later.
Image credit: Amazon.com
After Olive lets slip a rumour that she lost her virginity to a college boy (not true, by the way) to Rhiannon, a girl overhears, and word soon spreads around school. Just like Chinese whispers, this rumour becomes out of hand and Olive is labelled something she’s not. Olive takes the situation into her own hands and mirrors the acts of Hester (main character of The Scarlett Letter), losing her friend in the process.
Although Olive gets a name for herself around school, this doesn’t stop her finding romance with childhood crush Todd (Penn Badgley).
Easy A is one of those teen comedies that is not only relatable to its audiences, but makes us both laugh and cry, and that is why it is a film that will stand the test of time. The plot is played out well as we are told the story through Olive’s perspective – as it is revealed in the end it was a vlog. This was not only a smart way to tell the story, but a more perceptive view as we see the true story. We are not influenced by rumours – an important message in the film.
This story wouldn’t be anywhere if it wasn’t for our great guide – and main character – Emma Stone as Olive. Emma Stone is a fine young talent in the acting world, and this role proved just this. Not only was she a great addition to the cast, but we were blessed with a star-studded cast including Amanda Bynes, Stanley Tucci, Lisa Kudrow, Patricia Clarkson and many more.
Both the romance and comedy sub-genres shine through well in Easy A. The comedy is frequent with Olive. Scenes include various ones with Olive’s family and their “family banta”. Another scene that does this well – with a hint of romance mixed in – is Olive’s performance of “Knock On Wood” in the schools gymnasium alongside a shirtless Todd.
There is nothing to pitfall in this film as I believe it ticks all the boxes for what you could want from a teen romantic comedy. Ultimately, Easy A is the teen romance comedy that will stand the test of time for all audiences.
By Katie Green
Feature image: Los Angeles Times