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Unless you were the quarterback of the football team or the captain of the cheerleading squad, you’re probably pretty happy that your high school years are behind you—because, no matter what teen comedies may suggest, high school isn’t one big party. It’s awkward and often embarrassing—and you’ve usually got to contend with at least one person who seems determined to make your life a living nightmare. So what if, years later, you found out that your high school nemesis was about to become family?
Marni Olsen (Kristen Bell) may be a high-powered PR executive in LA now, but it wasn’t long ago that she was just another awkward high school kid with ugly glasses and a horrible complexion. After years of being tormented by the school’s queen bee, Marni decided to leave home and become a different person. Now, however, she’s heading home again, for her brother’s wedding. Unfortunately, Marni’s fun-filled family weekend quickly turns into a nightmare when she discovers that her brother’s fiancée, Joanna (Odette Yustman), is the same girl who ruined her life back in high school.
As Marni sets out to save her brother from marrying a monster, her mom, Gail (Jamie Lee Curtis), experiences her own awkward blast from the past. Joanna’s rich and successful aunt, Ramona (Sigourney Weaver), was Gail’s childhood best friend—until their falling out in high school. And although Gail keeps reminding Marni that everyone deserves a second chance, Ramona still seems to be out for revenge.
You Again promises to be an entertaining comedy about standing up to childhood bullies and coming out on top—but that’s not what it delivers. Instead, it’s a muddled mess of unlikeable characters, awkward slapstick comedy, predictable plotlines, and Betty White being old and crazy.
Although Marni is supposed to be the heroine of the story—the ugly duckling who’s become a beautiful (and successful) swan—she isn’t always easy to like. Instead of facing her problem and saying what’s on her mind, she hides in the corner and mopes about it—until she decides to handle things in the most hurtful way possible. Her actions just get uglier and uglier—and, after a while, you won’t know whether you’re supposed to root for Marni in her quest to make her arch nemesis pay for her transgressions or be ashamed of her for plotting against her future sister-in-law.
Joanna is a pretty confusing character, too. One minute, she’s a horrible human being; the next, she’s a saint. Sometimes, you’re supposed to hate her; at other times, you’re supposed to feel sorry for her. And, in the end, you won’t be sure how to feel about either character.
You Again does have some entertaining moments, but they come mostly from the supporting characters—like White, who’s as amusing as ever, and Kyle Bornheimer, who plays Joanna’s heartbroken (and slightly obsessive) ex. Unfortunately, though, the rest is silly and awkward and painfully predictable. So although the cast is full of beautiful (and talented) swans, You Again is still one ugly duckling.
Blu-ray Review:
You Again may be an awkward comedy, but it was obviously a whole lot of fun to make. For proof, just check out the extras on the film’s Blu-ray/DVD combo release.
The special features focus mainly on the on-set antics—especially Following Fickman, which trails behind the fun-loving director as he jokes around with his cast. And Blooper Dance Party is just as the title suggests: part funny faces, part funky dance moves.
Other extras include a faux cast interview (filmed for Funny or Die), a quirky Ask the Cast segment (which mostly shows Betty White being a crazy old lady), and 11 deleted scenes with optional director introductions.
Even if you found the comedy of You Again lacking (like I did), you’ll still find plenty to chuckle about in the extras—especially if you love the film’s leading ladies. So, once you finish watching the movie, give the special features menu a few minutes of your time.
