Young Adult

Charlize Theron shines as sour Mavis Gary in this dark comedy from writer Diablo Cody and director Jason Reitman. Facing a divorce and the impending cancellation of her series of young adult novels, Mavis decides it's time to return to her hometown and reclaim her high school boyfriend (Patrick Wilson) - so what if he's happily married with a new baby? Along the way she forms an unlikely friendship with a former classmate, played with humor and grace by comedian Patton Oswalt.

1. If at first you DO succeed: director Jason Reitman and writer Diablo Cody also collaborated on 2007's sleeper hit Juno.
2. Next time you're in downtown Minneapolis, swing by the Churchill Apartments. You'll spot one of the film's exterior locations.
3. Young Adult was filmed over 30 days, with a budget of $12 million. If you're doing the math, that's $400,000 a day.
4. Doing your homework: actor and comedian Patton Oswalt worked with an acting coach as well as a physical therapist to prepare for the role of Matt, who walks with a brace after being beaten as a teenager.
5. Driving déjà vu: Charlize Theron's character Mavis drives a Mini Cooper that's identical to the one she drove as Stella in the heist flick The Italian Job.
6. Don't believe everything you read: early reports claimed Josh Brolin was set to play the object of Charlize Theron's affections in the film.
7. Comic lovers, get excited: Patton Oswalt's character has a Nite Owl doll in the film. Co-star Patrick Wilson portrayed his successor Nite Owl II in the big screen adaptation of Watchmen.
8. Diablo's drink: Charlize Theron's character prefers Maker's Mark bourbon. In Diablo Cody's previous screenplay Juno, Ellen Page's (pregnant) title character jokingly asks for a "Maker's Mark up."
9. Massapequa, Land of 10,000 Lakes: Long Island stands in for the Minnesota setting in and around Woody's bar in the movie.
10. A little something for the locals: director Jason Reitman and writer Diablo Cody hosted a sneak preview of the movie at Minneapolis's Edina Theater.