The biggest criticism against actor Michael Cera is that he always plays the same role—himself. However, to the many fans of his awkward, self-conscious meandering, that’s a good thing. Both camps should be pleased with his performance in director Miguel Arteta’s Youth in Revolt, which is based on the popular novel.

Cera plays Nick Twisp, an awkward, self-conscious loser who develops the bad boy French alter-ego Francois Dillinger to help get the girl, Sheeni, played by newcomer Portia Doubleday. To some, this might suggest a desire within Cera to escape his typecasting. Just as Francois abuses and belittles Nick, Cera must begrudge being pigeonholed. And the sadistic thought that a trapped Cera wants out and is literally beating himself up over it might be reason enough for his critics to pay heed.

Still, aside from the technical constraints of acting two parts within the same scene, Cera isn’t doing anything new here. It’s interesting that Cera was in his Francois costume for the popular staged YouTube video, “Michael Cera flips out,” but he’s done similar things for Superbad and Knocked Up. Most telling was his CBS Web show “Clark and Michael,” where he and Clark Duke play sociopathic hyperboles of themselves. The idea of the irresponsible, ne’er-do-well Cera is as well crafted a persona as the awkward, wholesome teen. But while previously audiences only had one or the other, here they are blessed with both. The comical nature of Francois maliciously destroying Twisp’s record collection is brought to another level as Cera reacts … to himself.

A significant portion of the film plays out like a teen sex comedy. In fact, getting laid and/or true love is the chief motivation behind both Nick and Francois’ actions. Beyond that, the narrative structure is often juvenile and unjustified. Most plot lines are little more than a means to an end. Situations are built up like a house of cards or row of dominoes with no justification for their own existence beyond the potential payoff of being destroyed. So it is the strength of those payoffs which ultimately save Youth in Revolt.

Unlike other genre comedies, there is no gross-out humor or trite pop culture referencing. However fake the set-up, the delivery is always spot on. Audiences will forgive and forget the minor coincidences

and inconsistencies as they laugh gleefully in all the right places.

The action is a small part of that comedic success. The writing capitalizing on the strong source material is another. But the entire cast, helmed by Cera and bolstered with other great actors like Zach Galifianakis, Steve Buscemi and Fred Willard, takes the cake.

But of course, all is forgiven and somehow, despite everything, Nick Twisp manages to avoid any real consequences, probably gaining some sort of reward for all his misbehaving. The overall lesson of the film then becomes irresponsibility. Yes, it is also about being true to oneself, but that hackneyed theme doesn’t warrant an examination. It is an American favorite.

Youth in Revolt is among the best in an often frowned upon genre. There are more reasons to watch than just Cera, but he is a major draw.