Booksmart | SXSW 2019 Film Review

Two foul-mouthed, angsty teenagers dead-set on making their last night before graduation one to be remembered, set out on an adventure to go from getting straight A’s to giving zero F’s in Booksmart.

In Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut, these female besties are at the top of their class, spending the last four years (and presumably more) focusing on their academics, to rise above their peers and succeed. After realizing that their classmates were able to have fun and get into the top universities, Molly (Beanie Feldstein) makes it her mission to attend a cool-kid party with her top notch pal, Amy (Kaitlyn Dever), in an effort to prove themselves. In the midst of this emerging chaos, Amy is coming to terms with her sexual identity and whether to pursue the skater girl her sights are set on, as Molly battles her vulnerability with a fellow classmate when sparks are obviously flying like the Fourth of July.

From here, it’s likely what you’d expect: attempt to attend party, hurdles along the way, find solutions to said problems (like, your Principal – Jason Sudeikis – unexpectedly being a hippie Lyft driver). What’s surprising is how much heart and depth Booksmart has. It has a nice blend of comedy and drama, allowing us to connect with these characters and laugh, but also feel for them when they come to a head.

The dynamic between Amy and Molly is the biggest selling point of the film, as they are one of the most believable duos in awhile, and the actresses portraying them feel so alive and vivacious that you can’t help but root for them. Without Dever and Feldstein, this movie would not be what it is. The two are able to ricochet off of each other so naturally, with seemingly perfected timing, that their mutual love and respect bounces off the screen. Make no mistake, the leads aren’t the only casting that delivers. The supporting cast (Skyler Gisondo, Billie Lourd, Lisa Kudrow, and Will Forte) are all working wickedly comical. With casting so exceptional, Allison Jones deserves an honest shout-out for her talented work here. 

Wilde makes some very daring choices as director in her narrative feature debut. Most that work flawlessly, and one scene of characters sparing that – after much contemplation – ultimately would have been better done differently. An almost jarring opening cultivated in a very music video-esque manner, with credits timely cut to high-pitched music beats, ends up setting the tone for the modern youth story we’re heading into.

However, in the midst of the film there’s an argument that ensues. One of the most powerful scenes of Booksmart, and arguably of the last few years for a film set in this tone, was dimmed by a silence of the actor’s voices and an almost buzzing sound as if your ears are ringing. Wilde stated she made this choice because so often during an argument, we stop hearing the other person and we say things we don’t mean due to the heated moment. This is something I can get behind and understand, and while it never removed me from the moment like it did others, it now resonates with me that the choice might not have been the best for the film. Again, though, a deliberate choice that still works – just not as well as another choice might have.

As much as this might seem to be a female-oriented film (coming from a female director, a cast chock-full of ladies, and four stellar femalw screenwriters), there’s just as much openness to others as one would hope. It’s nice to see a film that’s so multidimensional, yet has a way of still speaking specifically to a female audience in the way the characters operate. The way they overthink their choices, “okay, the plan is: A, B, C, and we’re going to take steps X, Y, Z” is very womanly, but not overtly or solely for women. It also doesn’t speak only to this age group. Granted, it will likely resonate more with young adults, but it has a way of connecting with everyone. This adds a uniqueness to Booksmart that on the surface you might not expect.

Thankfully, a gratifying film about intelligent and sassy women, Booksmart delivers. A very linear and entertaining script, deliberate and wise direction, and a spectacular set of performers, Booksmart is the fun coming-of-age tale for this generation of young adults.