Determined to make up for lost time, high school best friends Amy and Molly, decide to cram in four years of missed fun into one chaotic night of adventures.
Another teenage buddy comedy in disguise of a school party film; but do not mistake this for another “Superbad”. Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut is highly innovative, widely hysterical, and surprisingly heartfelt. Just when I thought raunchy comedies couldn’t get any worst, Booksmart is here to prove that the genre can reach new heights and still keep the dirt.
From “The 40 – Year Old Virgin” to slightly more recently “Sausage Party’, raunchy comedies have secured a place in Hollywood for quite some time. Audience enjoy these films due to its particular judge – free zone and my personal favorite, the savagery. However, they are usually a hit or miss. Moviegoers were stunned when Olivia Wilde announced that her first film will be a comedy for young adults. This was extremely risky, but I’m so glad she went with her gut because this film is spectacular. She introduces a new level of filmmaking by displaying a steep level of color and story. There are several scenes in this film that will leave you in shock just by the fresh sense of layers that we’ve never seen in a comedy before.
The premise is simple. Two high school seniors studied the books their whole lives but come to a realization that maybe academics isn’t everything. So they spend their last day of high school stepping out their comfort zone and partying as hard as they can. Yes, you guessed it; we’ve heard this one before, but I can ensure you it does not play out as you think. Multiple bumps occur along the road that are both humorous and depressing. The girls do experience strong issues that deal with maturity and sexuality. The reality in this film is off the charts. It does not hold back one bit. This is one of those films where you second guess if they’re going to take it that far and they sure enough do…and then some.
Without a question, the chemistry between Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein is pure magic. Being that they moved in together just for this film genuinely reflects onscreen. Their performances are in my opinion, just about perfect. From 2016’s “Neighbors 2” and 2017’s “Lady Bird”, Beanie is a familiar face that we’ve all seen, but this film proves that she can carry a film with ease. This is the best I’ve ever seen her and I’m sure that we will be seeing a lot more of her very soon. The rest of the cast are also hysterical and pretty interesting. Billie Lourd displays a standout performance that shows off her diversity and skill when doing comedy. Plus, it’s always a pleasure to see her since American Horror Story.
For a coming of age comedy, this packs much more than the usual.
Leave the kids at home,
But bring your 18-year-old. They’ll learn from this.
And so will you.
Comments