FILM CHOICE

Young Adult BBC1, 11.45pm

JUNO writer Diablo Cody and director Jason Reitman reunite for this sharp, pitch-black comedy. Former high-school queen bee Mavis Gary (a fearless Charlize Theron) is now a hard-drinking writer who makes her living penning a series of Sweet Valley High-style teenage novels that is about to discontinued due to waning popularity. Desperate for creative inspiration for the final book, Mavis is distracted by an email from former boyfriend Buddy Slade (Patrick Wilson) and his wife Beth (Elizabeth Reaser) announcing the birth of their daughter. Convinced that this is a sign from the universe, Mavis travels to her hometown of Mercury, determined to show Buddy that even though he may be under the impression that he’s happily married, he really belongs with her.