It’s been seven years since Michael Cera achieved fame in “Arrested Development” as the lovable, awkward George-Michael Bluth.  He’s been playing the same role in everything he has appeared in ever since then. The first half-hour of “Youth in Revolt” is exactly what one expects from a Michael Cera movie.  It is slow, uncomfortable and goes too far out of its way to be quirky.

Cera portrays Nick Twisp, a 16-year-old sex-obsessed virgin whose social incompetence borders on depressing.  The early part of the film isn’t helped by the uninspired performance of the otherwise brilliant Zach Galifianakis as Twisp’s mother’s shady boyfriend.  It appears Galifianakis’ role in “The Hangover” has made him mainstream, and the more mainstream he becomes, the more he loses the creative absurdity that has endeared him to his fans.

After Galifianakis’ character dies one third of the way into the film, Cera suddenly becomes funny and the film is  genuinely enjoyable.  Although many of the film’s better lines are unprintable, watching the innocent-faced Cera manipulating a boarding school girl into spreading rumors about his girlfriend’s ex becomes funnier with every exaggerated, deadpan slander passing from his lips.

Director Miguel Arteta should be commended for the small creative touches that help make the film so funny.  The claymation title sequence is reminiscent of a Primus video, while the representation of Nick’s rebellious side in the form of François Dillinger, also played by Cera, makes the difference between a so-so film and a good film.

Even the film’s bittersweet ending manages to please by avoiding the treacle for which it seems destined.

Although Cera is one of the weaker actors in this cast, “Youth in Revolt” is easily the funniest film he’s appeared in since “Superbad.”  It might even be his funniest performance since “Arrested Development.”