'Booksmart' Review

Synopsis: On the eve of their high school graduation, two academic superstars realize they should have worked less and played more. Determined not to fall short of their peers, the girls try to cram four years of fun into one night.

Runtime: 102 minutes

MPAA Rating: R (for strong sexual content, language throughout, drug use, and drinking - all involving teens)

Who should see it? Adult fans of coming-of-age comedies.

Booksmart is a female-centric feature directorial debut from actress Olivia Wilde featuring a sidesplitting screenplay by Susanna Fogel, Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, and Katie Silberman. Lately, critics and cinephiles have annually endorsed cinematic coming-of-age stories. A welcome phenomenon since Booksmart follows in the steps of The Edge of Seventeen, Lady Bird, and Eighth Grade as another evocative and empowering narrative worth championing. 

For her first feature, Olivia Wilde's outdone herself. With fifty-five total acting credits to her name, Wilde's distinguished career undoubtedly provided her ensemble with an abundance of invaluable insight which shines through their first-rate performances. Booksmart is a delightful debut all-around on behalf of the cast, script, and Wilde's handling of the material considering this is an instance where execution elevates the text. In particular, Jason McCormick's eye-catching cinematography and well-placed edits from Jamie Gross bestow an exquisite aesthetic and keep things moving at an appropriate pace. The camerawork is also worth applauding for an inspired approach.

I hesitate in succumbing to the group-think that Booksmart is a teen comedy classic due to its recency and some nitpicks, but Booksmart may charm me into obliging after the fact. In the two days since seeing Booksmart, I already appreciate it more. As for minuscule grievances, I have a few. The opening didn't captivate me right away but served as a fitting foundation for the crazed antics ahead. Occasionally, the onscreen scenarios are also a little too outlandish or exaggerated, which undercut the film's realism. However, Booksmart retains a beating heart in its sincere approach. 

As Amy and Molly, Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein exhibit an authentically odd friendship with one-of-a-kind chemistry. Juxtaposed with Feldstein's boisterous screen presence, Dever internalizes Amy's struggle with an apprehensive, shy characterization. The two are polar opposites yet operate on the same wavelength of weirdness, so they click. Their dynamic is central to the entire enterprise and notably tugged at my heartstrings in choice moments.

Surrounding Dever and Feldstein is an ensemble whom you'd expect to portray a collection of high school clichés at first glance. Don't judge a book by its cover though, as the script and actors lend more nuance to these archetypal roles than you'd expect. Billie Lourd, daughter of the late Carrie Fisher, is a notable scene stealer and plays Amy and Molly's peculiar peer Gigi with a hysterical, over-the-top eccentricity. Meanwhile, Victoria Ruesga, Mason Gooding, Skyler Gisondo, Diana Silvers, Molly Gordon, and Eduardo Franco fill out the cast of classmates while more familiar faces Jason Sudeikis, Jessica Williams, Lisa Kudrow, and Will Forte depict a series of parental figures to great comic effect.

In an ever-increasing field of charming coming-of-age flicks, Booksmart is a hilarious, heartfelt addition that sets itself apart due to captivating direction, a sharp script, and the delightful dynamic between Dever and Feldstein. Not only is it an impressive directorial debut, but Booksmart is a must-see feature and one of the year's very best films!

Film Assessment: A-

'Table 19' Review

Have you ever been to a wedding only to be grouped with a bunch of strangers in the table assignments? Well, that's the predicament the oddballs find themselves in at Table 19. The table's composed of the ex-maid of honor who was recently dumped over text by the bride's brother, a bickering couple, an ex-con, the bride's former nanny, and an ambitious yet awkward youngster intent on finding love. Of course the group bonds and learns a thing or two from each other over the evening. 

Table 19 is directed by Jeffrey Blitz, who does a fine job spotlighting the comedic talent at his disposal. Blitz direction's fairly reserved alongside just about all the other technical elements of the film, something somewhat expected from a comedy. The screenplay penned by Jay and Mark Duplass has plenty of zingers and comedic beats that are only enhanced by the adept ensemble. While the dialogue is tongue-in-cheek, the story is rather generic leading you to predict the outcome of the entire film rather quickly so you almost feel as though you've seen the film when it's all said and done. 

I was quite impressed by the comedic talents assembled for this flick with actors you'll be familiar with from a few television series like The Office and Friends. Anna Kendrick's plucky charm doesn't go amiss, June Squibb plays the adorable elderly woman with more spunk than you'd expect, Tony Revolori continues to excel in the dorky outcast role, even if his character's purely there for comedic purposes, while Craig Robinson and Lisa Kudrow's squabbling couple are likable and have some great comedic timing but feel tacked on to add some drama to the proceedings. Stephen Merchant is the one who perhaps stole the show in my eyes, his deadpan dialogue delivery and scatterbrained approach to the character made Walter Thimble a constant source of delight. There's not really any other shining stars among the cast, especially considering the focus on this core group of individuals. 

Table 19's a cute wedding comedy that would be just as enjoyable on home media or to be caught on cable but it's not worth rushing out to your local cinema. Table 19 has it's moments and I can admit to laughing hysterically in a few instances but for the most part is exactly what you expect, a quirky comedy you'll probably never feel compelled to watch again. 

Film Assessment: C