Booksmart

There are few films I have seen as entertaining and real as Booksmart. Its use of color and music collide to form paintings out of each scene, dripping with reality. Never have I seen a film about highschool risk so much of its story to talk about current teenagers’ problems, yet still find a way to be so entertaining. From Carrie Fisher’s daughter swan diving off a yacht to acid-dipped strawberries stirring barbie-doll hallucinations, this film goes wild to stretch these characters beyond their normal school night.

To put it simply: I loved this film.

Written by 4 women, directed by first-time-director Olivia Wilde, and starring two actresses for its main characters, Booksmart does not flaunt its representation, nor does it shout out the importance of why women should feel empowered—it lives it; it shows it. The story of the two high school girls breathe life and reality as it jumps from exciting parties and outrageously fun characters. The humor and heart go hand in hand, bringing an amazingly human core to what seems like a simple, raunchy teen-comedy.

On the surface, a lot of people might just assume it is the 2019 version of Superbad, but it expands upon that idea and shines in its own spotlight. The craft of this film is far more complex and personal than an early-2000s-teen-movie; it dedicates so much of its screen-time into the creation of its characters that you cheer when they succeed and cry every time they fall. It lets you eat your popcorn, laughing at its outrageous humor, and then be moved for a far too familiar struggle of friendship after graduation—all within 1 hour and 42 minutes. The writing is brilliant, and stemming from that its characters are unforgettable.

I could spend pages dissecting the characters and how they connect to different aspects of people I know and the truths they unveil, but where is the fun in that? The best part of this film and its characters are how unknown they are. I can only recommend renting this film completely blind, clicking the play button, and letting it wash over you. Let go of wondering what will happen next, let the story unravel before you. The feelings and passions that rise out of these characters reward the audience for exploring its mystery, and every twist and turn lands right on your chest. I want to talk more about this film, but I want it to be a completely fresh experience when you watch it.

Overall, this film spoke to me on a very personal level that most people might not experience. Even if that is the case, there is still so much to this film that is worth seeing. The actors are fantastic, nailing their comedic timing and taking it to the next level when their character has a mental breakdown. The production is beautifully shot and flows together, heightened by Olivia Wilde’s directing as it explodes each scene into the next with energy you cannot look away from. The story brings a shiny new coat to reality, making life’s struggles feel doable and worth taking the risk. There were times when I was bursting with laughter, and there were times when I looked at the screen and saw a reflection of someone I knew rise out of a character that most writers would have ignored. Sometimes, all a film needs to be is a rollercoaster to change your life, and Booksmart is all of that thrill and more.

Story Rating: 9/10

Character Rating: 8/10