Booksmart Movie Review
Go ahead Olivia Wilde! Her directorial debut, Booksmart, could not have been better! Get it done Wilde, get it done. This one stars Beanie Feldstein (who I am low key obsessed with after Ladybird last year) as Molly, an overachieving high schooler set to graduate top of her class and attend Yale the following year. Molly and her best friend Amy (Kaitlyn Denver) are hyper focused on being excellent students and getting into top universities. So much so that they seem to have forgotten how to “have fun.”
After overhearing some less than flattering comments in the bathroom and discovering that her peers who did not take high school so seriously also got into top universities Molly has a meltdown and vows that the night before graduation will be the night that she finally lets loose and gets wild. Amy, being the loyal friend that she is, agrees to accompany her. The night descends into a revolving door of parties and experiences that are equal parts hilarious and heartwarming.
The movie works so well in part because of the dynamic chemistry between Denver and Feldstein. They absolutely kill it. I’m assuming at least some of their dialogue was improvised and their banter reminded me of my friends in high school; ridiculous, over the top, and at times cringeworthy. The supporting cast is perfectly cast with performances by Skyler Gisondo, Diana Silvers, Molly Gordon, and Mason Gooding rounding out the ensemble. I must say that Billie Lourd is an absolute scene stealer. She is laugh out loud funny, playing the over dramatic Gigi and nailing what I think was the best performance in the movie.
This young cast gets some help from veteran actors Jason Sudeikis, Jessica Williams, Will Forte, and Lisa Kudrow. But to be honest with you, the younger actors steal the show and the veterans are a bit out shined. To be fair this is Molly and Amy’s story so the focus is on the high schoolers. But the younger actors each prove that they can carry a film in their own right.
In addition to the fantastic acting, Booksmart has a killer soundtrack that you will most definitely search for on Spotify after watching. Dan Nakamura (aka Dan the Automator) hits the mark with the music and this one would be a great example of how music can add so much to a movie.
Overall, Booksmart is one of my favorite movies of 2019. I know we still have a long way to go so this may change but as it stands, it’s definitely in my top five. It was so refreshing to see a coming of age story where friendship lies at the heart. Because above all, Molly and Amy are friends. Wilde is able to walk the delicate line of showcasing an honest and true friendship while not sugarcoating the difficulties of it. All I can say is you need to see this one for yourself!
Film or Movie: Movie
You’ll like this movie if:
1. You like coming of age stories
2. You like movies like Ladybird
3. You want to see a funny movie about teenage friendships
