Movies

Emma Stone’s Comedy Talent Shines in This Forgotten Gem (Now on Netflix)

Emma Stone’s Comedy Talent Shines in This Forgotten Gem (Now on Netflix)
Image credit: Legion-Media

It'd be a perfect movie choice if you miss Mean Girls.

Undoubtedly, Emma Stone is now one of the most demanded actresses in the industry, and we bet you have seen more than one of her films. These include Birdman (2014), La La Land ( 2016), The Favourite (2018) and, of course, last year’s banger Poor Things.

Few people know that Spider Man’s Gwen Stacy started her career as a comedy performer with small appearances in Superbad (2007) and Zombieland (2009). In 2010 the actress finally took the lead role in a must-see comedy that has just landed on Netflix.

Its plot revolves around Stone’s Olive, a high schooler who decides to spill the tea to her best friend by pretending she has lost her virginity. However, their conversation gets overheard by the school’s main busybody, and Olive becomes the target of slut-shaming.

The girl doesn’t want to surrender to the bullies at all, therefore, she tries to direct her newly-acquired notoriety in another direction and get some benefits from it.

Emma Stone’s Comedy Talent Shines in This Forgotten Gem (Now on Netflix) - image 1

This plot doesn’t seem to be really typical of the teen comedies of the 2010s, as here we have quite a powerful lead who turns the awkward situation to her own advantage.

However, it’s really reminiscent of the classic comedy gold flicks, like Lindsay Lohan ’s Mean Girls (2004), Elliot Page’s Juno (2007) and another must-watch starring Stone, Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011). If you’re a fan of these movies, you shouldn’t miss 2010’s gem.

Overall, it explores a number of essential issues, such as bullying, puritanism and coming of age, and that’s why it still holds up in 2024. It turns out to be both a witty comedy and a serious take on all these themes that doesn’t get too reckless or too dark.

Titled Easy A, this 85%-rated film assembles a great cast who add to its wholesomeness. Apart from the brilliant lead, it stars Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson as Olive’s parents, Penn Badgley as her love interest and Amanda Bynes as the nasty antagonist.

“It's got everything Mean Girls has. Incredibly quotable lines <...>. Great chemistry among all the actors. A surprisingly nuanced performance from the leading lady, Emma Stone,” claims Redditor @livelyfellow about Stone’s gem that deserves a rewatch.

Luckily, you can do Easy A justice, as it’s now available for streaming on Netflix.