Easy A

Starring: Emma Stone, Amanda Bynes, Lisa Kudrow, Patricia Clarkson, Stanley Tucci.
Director: Will Gluck
Running time: 92 minutes
Rating: PG-13

When Emma Stone received a Golden Globe nomination for her role in “Easy A,” I regretted not seeing it in theatres. Now that she’s all over Hollywood, I decided to hop on over to Blockbuster (YES, I’M THE ONLY ONE KEEPING THEM IN BUSINESS) and check it out. In the film, Stone plays an accessible and relatable teenager who uses social media to prove she isn’t a slut.

The concept was fresh, though a bit silly: the heroine accepts bribes from bottom-of-the-totem pole boys at her high school to spread rumors that she’s slept with them. This in turn boosts both the boys’ and her reputation. Sounds like a win-win! The boys pay her with gift certificates, which start pouring in, until one “customer” gives her a 10% off coupon to Bath & Body Works and she realizes, for more reason than one, that this façade is no longer worth it. She decides to come clean to the school (and the world) via YouTube, and tells her side of the story.

Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson lend their brilliance to this film and shine as they did in “The Lovely Bones,” and “Friends with Benefits,” respectively. (Note: Tucci does not play a child molester in this film, but Clarkson once again plays a liberal, hippie mom – she does this effortlessly.)

The strong supporting cast is further backed by Lisa Kudrow as a high school guidance counselor who is having an affair with a yummy Cam Gigandet. Kudrow’s moment of realizing the implications of this affair is a great display of her dramatic acting chops, which we rarely get to see, due in part to her eternal connection to Friends’ Phoebe Buffay.

Amanda Bynes steers away from her usual slapstick, wiseass comedy to play a devout Christian worried for Stone’s reputation. Bynes is better than this role. Penn Badgley is Stone’s love interest in the film, who sticks by her side instead of being repulsed by her actions. Badgley plays the nice guy well, similarly to his character on “Gossip Girl,” (RIP) but without Dan Humphrey’s hipster flair.

“Easy A” makes for a fun girls’ night in. With this many big names attached, you know you’re in for a treat.