Performance Review: Emma Stone in "Zombieland" (2009)

Amoung the film's I had seen throughout 2009, a little flick called Zombieland is one that is quickly making its way to my favorites. Why? Because like Superbad, the film is raunchy, crude, and hilarious BUT posesses a genuine heart and sweet-natured underscoring that works wonders. And of course, out of the four main performances given by the cast, one just had to stick out for Twister. I am, of course, referring to the undeniable charm, wit, and coolness radiated by...

...Emma Stone in Zombieland (2009)

Emma Stone plays "Wichita", one of the few humans left in a world of decay and destruction, a.k.a "Zombieland" where the deadly creatures scower around looking for human flesh to munch on. We are introduced to the character when "Tallahasse" and "Columbus" (two humans sticking together to fight off the zombies) are in a deserted grocerey store looking for Twinkies.

The film does not give its characters real names, but instead names of geographic locations, which in a wierd way adds to their myseriousness. Stone's Wichita, from her first moment, comes off as a damsel and distress; beconking the guys for help right away. What's soon discovered is that Wichita and Little Rock (an adorable Abigail Breslin) her little sister, are sneaky con gals who fake a zombie bite to steal their weapons and their car.

Although the two sisters don't have much backstory, we do quickly identify with them and their predicaments. Wichita has one rule, that the only trust is between she and her sister, and to not let anyone else come close. In their jouney, Witchita's main goal is to give her sister the childhood she used to have, by traveling to the supposedly zombie free amuesment park, "Pacific Playland". To Stone's credit, she never plays Witchita as the bitch that she's written as - while tough, she's soft - and Stone lets us see how, for her sister, Witchita must keep her chin up even during the toughest times for Little Rock's happiness.

It's not too long after that the two girls cross paths with Tallahasse and Columbus again, and carjack them. The scene begins with awkward talk, as Wichita keeps on her "mask" trying to disguise her vulnerability and what else she withholds. Stone projects a pragmatic bitterness, but finds ways for Wichita's real feelings to weave their ways out before she drops her mask.

Once Stone's Witchita does take off that mask after feeling an empathetic connection to Columbus, we too feel closer to her, knowing that this other person was just waiting for an excuse to come out. Stone plays Witchita's growing relationship with Columbus at a steady beat, and never tries to rush the characterization against the proceedings.

With the gang setteled down at Bill Murray's luxrious mansion ("This guy has a direct line to my funny bone!"), there comes a sequence of scenes where each character connects and opens up to each other - Breakfast Club style. Stone conveys Wichita's own genuine happiness, and her thought that this newfound fun could be something very special.

As she gives Columbus the dance he never had, Witchita blossoms into someone who deeply wants to love and to be loved, and finds a way through the kind-hearted Columbus. While maintaining the humor ("You have the guts of a guppie, but I'd hit that.") Stone crafts a poignant picture of who Wichita is and was -- before zombieland to the distance from where she stands right now. After an awkward interruption from Tallahasse, the moment is broken, and just as a long desired kiss was in the midst of taking place. With her mask firmly back in place, Wichita realizes that she had almost broken her rule of not getting close to anyone, and the distance between she and the others opens back up.

Back to her job as her sister's guardian, the two once again ditch their male companions, and Wichita is finally able to give her sister back a little bit of her lost childhood by arriving at the park. She made someone happy, but made someone feel alone and dissapointed, and Stone's face belies her regret and confusion about the situation. Soon enough, the zombies make their way into the park, and who else better to rescue the damsel in distress than Columbus? After being rescued, Wichita is now complete; she has selflessly helped her sister, found love and family, and no longer has to had behind a facade.

Emma Stone's sweet, enduring work in this fun film is much like her part as Jules in Superbad -- delightful, funny, and heartfelt without pushing it. She infuses the role with subtle complexities texture, and winning charm without ever betraying the lightness of the film or character.

How does she do it? That's called talent, baby...