'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-