By: Karli Wallace
Executive Theme Editor
“Booksmart” deserves all A’s and gives zero F’s with its contemporary and progressive take on the high school coming of age comedy.
Through its impeccable plot, witty script, and stellar cast and directing, “Booksmart” proves to be a masterpiece that is well tailored to its target audience of intelligent but burdened high schoolers. Rather than making a movie filled with cliches about life after high school and growing up, the movie sets the bar for future coming of age films by enforcing a theme that is modern and fresh.
In a directorial debut by actress Olivia Wilde, the film follows Yale bound best friends Amy and Molly as they realize that their efforts to concentrate on academics came at the expense of enjoying themselves as traditionally reckless high schoolers. “Booksmart” follows their attempt to fit their high school experience within the span of one night before they officially graduate. Along with Wilde directing, the film features newcomers Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein as Amy and Molly, respectively, along with Hollywood veterans like Lisa Kudrow and Jason Sudeikis as supporting characters. “Booksmart” also features a star-studded crew with producers Will Ferrell, Sarah Haskins and Academy Award winning director Adam McKay.
“Booksmart” includes beautifully written and perfectly acted characters are the pinnacle of the film’s excellence. In contrast to the majority of coming of age movies, the ensemble proves to be more than just supporting characters that aid the protagonists. Billie Lourd’s performance as Gigi initially shines with a unique radiance, but once the surface of her character is stripped down, Gigi shows that she is also fiercely loyal to her friends and deeply emotional. Additionally, “Booksmart” sets forth sincere commentary on the close bondage of female friendships in high school, and how those friendships eminently build character. The diamond in the rough ensemble of “Booksmart” not only serve to create a cinematic masterpiece, but to create the true essence and soul of the film.
Wilde’s directorial debut is equally as spectacular. Her perspective on the burdening balance of work and play for the average teenager to get into a good college serves as a realistic representation for current high schoolers, which makes the movie not only relatable, but deeply reassuring and hopeful. In addition to this, Wilde’s directorial debut serves as an evident glimpse into the further evolution of her unique and modern cinematic style. This flare is seen all throughout “Booksmart”, and serves as a strong point for the film, as it parodies past teenage movies and reinvents them to be beautifully contemporary.
On top of all of “Booksmart’s” wonderfulness, the writing is a detail of the film that is perfectly crafted. It adds a unique personality to the overall essence of the movie, checking the boxes for humor and emotion alike, while still utilizing its “R” rating. Though the movie’s main theme focuses on being able to balance work and play, rather than outweighing one or the other, it also touches upon the underlying importance of friendship, emotional honesty, and self-love, which serve to add a deeper sense of the film’s personality. These motifs, coupled with the sarcastic, quippy, and raw witt of the dialogue between character further elevates the quality of “Booksmart” as the perfect mix of the coming of age and comedy genres.
Booksmart is Rated R and showing in theaters nationwide and was released on May 24.
Leave a Reply