Top 5 Reasons You Need to See Booksmart (2019)
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#5: It's Being Compared to “Superbad”
If you’re a fan of 2007’s awesome high school comedy “Superbad”, this movie might just be for you. Of “Booksmart,” Peter Debruge of Variety said: “Not since “Superbad” has a high school comedy so perfectly nailed how exhilarating it feels to act out at that age” and Benjamin Lee, writing for The Guardian, made a similar comparison. Of course, it’s 2019 so there are many differences, namely that the protagonists are female rather than male, but it still maintains that fun coming-of-age comedy vibe and is set just before the main characters graduate from high school. Fans of comedies from the ‘80s and ‘90s will also recognize references to some of the most well-loved teen movies from those two decades.
#4: Olivia Wilde Is Directing
You likely know Olivia Wilde for her acting work, as she has had major roles in several TV shows as well as movies like “Drinking Buddies”, “Tron: Legacy” and “Love the Coopers”. She has decided to switch things up and appear behind the camera though, and is making her directorial debut with “Booksmart”. Benjamin Lee wrote that it was “one of the more impressive behind-the-camera transitions” he had ever seen, saying that Wilde manages to make the film seem effortlessly progressive. In terms of other famous faces working behind the scenes on this project, Will Ferrell is acting as an executive producer!
#3: The Acting
We’ve already talked about the similarities between “Superbad” and “Booksmart”, but there’s another connection in the cast- Jonah Hill’s sister, Beanie Feldstein, plays one of the starring roles, following in her big brother’s footsteps. Kaitlyn Dever plays the other lead, and the comedic dynamic between the two actors is at once relatable and absolutely hilarious. The supporting cast is pretty stellar too, featuring big names like Lisa Kudrow, Will Forte and Wilde’s real-life fiance Jason Sudeikis. Variety’s review stated, “there’s not a weak link in the ensemble” and we have to agree.
#2: The Female-Centric Plot
We’ve already said a lot about this film without really delving into the plot, so it’s time for a quick summary. Lead characters Amy and Molly are both seniors in high school and childhood friends. Both of them take their academic careers seriously, and have spent more time focusing on grades than on having a true high school experience. So when graduation is coming up, they decide to take their last chance to really live it up before it’s too late. We’ve seen this type of story many times before, but the fact that the main characters are female makes it feel fresh and modern, as we see that boys aren’t the only ones who can get into a little trouble.
#1: It's a Modern High School Buddy Comedy
While at its core, this movie is undeniably a comedy, it manages to include modern progressive values in a way that feels seamless. It doesn’t need to be overt about the feminist values behind the story, because they are simply built into the characters and the plot. One of the leads is an out lesbian, and her romantic pursuits are treated as being just as important as those of her peers. Also, perhaps because “Booksmart” looks at high school through a female lens, the focus is less on sexual conquest and more on the friendship between its two leads.
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