Review - You Again

Don’t Go There, Just Enjoy It

High school was not perfect for everyone. Marni Olivia Olsen (Kristen Bell) had a rough go in high school. She dealt with normal high school challenges like acne and braces but there was also a bully that led the charge against her. Her initials were MOO which fueled the fire. Despite a terrible experience, that bully, and her taunts, pushed Marni to be the high profile PR executive that she has become today.

She’s on her way home to her brother’s wedding when it dawns on her, the bride-to-be happens to be her high school nemesis. JJ, or Joanna (Odette Yustman) as she now is referred to, has fell in love with Marni’s caring older brother. Or is it not love at all?

It’s been years since high school, but Marni just can’t let it go. But she isn’t the only one with a problem. Some additional painful high school memories are brought up when it turns out Joanna’s only family, Aunt Ramona (Sigourney Weaver) happens to have a history with Marni’s mom Gail (Jamie Lee Curtis). High school may have been many years ago, but these women have issues, really.

Ok, some critics won’t admit this, but I’m not some critics; I full well expected to hate this film. Sure hate is a strong word, but it is where I was coming from. I turned out to be pleasantly surprised.

On the whole, You Again is a film for women. This is a girls night out kind of film that will let you take all the girls because of its PG rating. And I think women of all ages will like it.

The rivalries are fun, the leads are all fun actresses to see work, and the humor is for the most part spot on. Plus there are enough small roles and cameos to keep everyone engaged.

Where the film slips is it can border on the ridiculous from time to time in plot setup and pushing characters together, but ultimately who cares in this film? Don’t go there, just enjoy it. We want to escape, relive a little of our past, and laugh with our friends. To that end, You Again succeeds.

B-/C+

You Again
Touchstone Pictures

Director: Andy Fickman
Cast: Kristen Bell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver, Odette Yustman, Victor Garber, Betty White, Kristin Chenoweth

Rating: PG for brief mild language and rude behavior.
Runtime: 105 minutes.