YOUTH IN REVOLT (15, 89 mins) ***
Starring Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Steve Buscemi, Jean Smart, Ari Graynor, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Long, Ray Liotta, Fred Willard, M Emmet Walsh

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Michael Cera, star of Juno, Nick And Norah’s Infinite Playlist and Superbad, retreads oh-so-familiar ground as the awkward, hormonally-driven hero, who must overcome his underdog status to stand out from the crowd.

His performance is identical to previous roles and familiarity is slowly breeding boredom.

Thankfully, the dramatic device of an invisible confidant – imaginary, Nick’s (Cera) French alter ego Francois Dillinger – sets this film apart.

Sheeni Saunders (Doubleday) sweeps into Nick’s humdrum life and the insecure teenager is completely smitten.

However, to woo her, Nick will have to call upon the expertise of Francois (Cera again), who readily says the things that Nick wouldn’t dare let past his lips.

Opening with a dazzling stop-motion credits sequence, Youth In Revolt can’t quite sustain the air of ironic cool as poor Nick finds himself on the wrong side of the law thanks to his alter ego.

Cera essays another loveable loser, hoping to defy the odds, and Doubleday makes a fine teen vamp, who makes her admirer blush with some of her antics.