What exactly can I say about Booksmart to accurately describe what I thought of it? Only that it is one of the best American high school movies I have ever watched! It's a film about two studious best friends who spent their high school years not partying or socialising with anyone but each other and realise the day before their graduation that they didn't have to dedicate themselves so entirely to their academic successes and want to experience some of that enjoyment they missed out on in one night. And it is a wild ride from start to finish!
Firstly, it is so great to see a film where the designated "nerd" main characters are so confident in themselves, who they are and aren't insecure about what place they've ended up socially in high school. Molly and Amy are sure of themselves and each other, they don't feel awkward or inadequate in any way. It's great to see a film where high school characters boost elevate each other and don't feel too modest or undeserving of the praise. And it's not just Molly and Amy - their classmates are just as confident and sure of themselves as they are, despite any rumours and gossip there might be about any one of them. And maybe that's just because everyone is way past any high school drama because it's their last day and they don't care about it, but it's still refreshing to see a cast playing 18-year-olds that aren't moping about some insignificant thing that happened at some time during their high school years.
The high school movie stereotypes were adjusted in a way that felt more realistic, like the old but still felt new and different. The usual throw up moment was actually unexpected this time but still good. There wasn't an excessive focus on either Amy or Molly's crushes and heartbreaks but it was a healthy amount to get you interested and invested in how it ends up affecting their friendship. A film like this wouldn't be complete without the Best Friends Argument typically two thirds into the movie which most of the time you could sigh at the predictability and figure out where it's going, but this film is full of surprises and even though it follows the regular formula it still doesn't feel like it went the usual way. One thing I did really like about that scene was that as the audience, we heard everything that was important in that argument and then it fades to the music playing over while they continue arguing. We don't always need to hear the full argument because that sometimes takes away the impact of it. Having their argument fade out while everyone watched, you feel the significance of it much more. It feels like they've never had a falling out like this.
The cast is amazing and they all fit into their roles so perfectly as if the characters were tailor-made for every single one. Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Billie Lourd and Skyler Gisondo are superb in their roles as Amy, Molly, Gigi and Jared, respectively. They have the kind of chemistry any director would want in their cast, they bounce off each other so well and that is one of the most important things that can make or break a good movie with a good script. And the comedic timing of the whole cast is just so good! Usually, I leave rewinding scenes over and over again in a movie for the second time I watch it, but this was an exception. I think there were scenes I watched a few times over before finishing the movie.
Reasons to Recommend:
- An honestly fresh take on the American high school comedy genre
- You want to find out why my favourite scene involves a combination of the lines "Where's my chub?" and "I don't need to use my brain. I just need to be smooth and flexible." while Salt-N-Pepa's "Push It" starts playing.
- Gigi and the aforementioned scene are the most enjoyable part of it
- High school stereotypes that don't feel like high school stereotypes
- If you just really enjoy high school comedies
I rate this film a 10/10. After getting tired of seeing the same thing over and over again with American high school movies, I honestly did not find myself feeling any of that with this one. I can not find a single fault with it, I have only good things to say about it and how enjoyable it was all round.
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