"Easy A" — High school teenager Olive Penderghast (Emma Stone) breezes through phrases like "terminal illogical inexactitude," makes elaborate Google Earth metaphors and does it all without arrogance or even an upturned eyebrow. She is, in short, way out of any teenage boy's league. Olive accidentally develops a reputation as an "easy" girl after — to satiate her badgering best friend Rhiannon (Aly Michalka) — she lies about losing her virginity. The rumour, spread by the school's resident religious zealot Marianne (Amanda Bynes), moves at the speed of Twitter. Like a young actor, Olive embraces the role, even pinning a red "A'' to her provocative outfits in an ode to Hester Prynne. For all its Hawthorne quoting, "Easy A" is clearly the stepchild of John Hughes. Will Gluck's stylish direction of Bert V. Royal's nimble, word-stuffed script results in a whip-smart film. It's a terrifically deadpan, lively performance from Stone, but the adults nearly steal the film. With Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson, Thomas Haden Church and Lisa Kudrow. PG-13 for mature thematic elements involving teen sexuality, language and some drug material. 93 minutes. Three stars out of four.