Easy A

What it's about:

Olive (Emma Stone) is a good girl. She's smart, funny and doesn't put out. When her gay classmate Brandon (Dan Byrd) asks for her help in maintaining a 'straight' image, she obliges by pretending to sleep with him at a party. Word gets out about her unique service and suddenly Olive finds herself with many customers willing to pay top dollar for fake fornication. While this proves to be financially lucrative for Olive, her reputation and self-esteem takes a beating.

What we thought:

A smart, intelligent teenager is always a great find. The loveliest part of this rather typical teen flick is how grown-up, intelligent and yet innocent dear Olive is.

While the movie promotes the ideals of abstinence, truth and individuality, it sadly proves that perception is more powerful than the truth. Because Olive is perceived to be the school bicycle, that's how she's treated.

Easy A draws loosely on Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, and Olive takes inspiration from the story, wearing a red A on her provocative new clothing to proudly show off her acceptance of her new status at school. But how long before the novelty wears off and the insults begin to sting?

Emma Stone's portrayal of the strong, clever, conflicted Olive is totally believable and sincere. The cast – with the exception of dull Penn Badgley – rescues this movie from its rather mediocre and predictable plot.

Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson are outstanding as Olive's witty, hippie parents while Amanda Bynes is perfectly cast as abstinence queen/school bitch Marianne. 

There's many a laugh to be had thanks to good, clever punch lines and an utterly adorable lead. This one's for the straight-A students.