Post Grad Directed by: Vicky Jenson Cast: Alexis Bledel, Zach Gilford, Michael Keaton, Jane Lynch, Carol Burnett Running Time: 1 hr 30 mins Rating: PG-13 Release Date: August 21, 2009

Plot: Ryden Malby (Bledel) graduates from college and is forced to move back into her childhood home with her eccentric family, while she attempts to find a job, the right guy, and just a hint of where her life is headed.

Who’s It For? I would say teenage girls who loved Bledel in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but I don't know what positive lessons could be learned. Whatever you're looking for, lower your expectations for this one.

OVERALL

It's like two screenplays have been mashed together to form something that looks like a movie, but isn't really.

In one of the stories, Ryden pins all of her hopes to her dream job straight out of college. She's an incredibly bright girl yet she doesn't search for any other job. When it fails, she's lost. But then, suddenly, and through no hard work of her own ... she gets the job in the end, but is it something she really wants?

In the other story, it's all about the Malby's. A crazy group of misfits. Ryden spends the entire middle hour of the film with her family, not doing much of anything. Walter (Keaton) is crazy and accidentally breaks the law. Then out of nowhere, he starts making a go-cart with his annoying kid Hunter (Bobby Coleman). Coleman once again acts exactly like he did in Martian Child only this time he's not supposed to be from outer space. Plus, it looks like Keaton is really trying with this role, which makes it all the more sad.

The fantastic Jane Lynch is totally wasted as the mom, but that's nothing compared to Carol Burnett as the grandma. Thanks to my mom, I understand the greatness of Burnett and it's a shame for her to be given nothing funny to do.

So what does work in this film? Zach Gilford as Adam. He's Ryden's best friend and when they hang out, it actually feels like a real connection. In the beginning, they talk about how he used to want more, but she's always turned him down. Unfortunately, after she's done with a 30-year-old, the Adam/Ryden question takes front and center.

You don't hear too many success stories about how one person pines for another for years, while the other isn't interested, and then they end up happily ever after. That's because it doesn't happen, or at least it never becomes an equal relationship.

For a movie called Post Grad you'd figure this was a story about life after college, and the ups and downs it must take. But instead we get Meet the Malby's and aren't given any reason to cheer. Plus, I'm trying to figure out the life lessons that teenagers could learn from this movie. Unfortunately, here it is ... girls, once you get your dream job, consider dropping your career ambitions for the hopes that a guy might realize you're worth it.

Final Score: 3/10