Booksmart
Reviews
Gill-Man
Anybody who thinks that this is just a female <i>Superbad</i> would be wrong, because it's so much more than that. This is a film about friendship, and in some respects it feels more of the same compared to other coming-of-age films, but it delivers past that expectation with the help of Olivia Wilde's excellent direction and the strength of Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein. This is a film about friendship, but it's also about a celebration of youth and empowerment of one’s own life. Dever and Feldstein are perfection but Billie Lourd is hilarious as well! But seriously, it’s also the hardest i’ve laughed in a long time and it'll sadly probably get snubbed come awards season but this deserves Best Picture and i will love and cherish this movie until I die.
SWITCH.
‘Booksmart’ is a fun, hilarious, and instantly and infinitely quotable film, making it a must-see for all ages and sexes. But most importantly, it’s exciting. Olivia Wilde has here proven herself to be a fantastic new voice in filmmaking, and she’s brought along screenwriters Susanna Fogel, Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins and Katie Silberman for the ride. One can only imagine the excellence they’ll produce in the future and if they keep discovering new onscreen talent as well, there’s no stopping them. Girl power! - Jess Fenton Read Jess' full article... https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-booksmart-say-hello-to-the-next-great-voice-in-female-filmmaking Head to https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/sff for more Sydney Film Festival reviews.
Gimly
I like the leads but I **love** the supporting cast. _Booksmart_ had me dubious. In the past couple of years beforehand, I'd heard great (and virtually identical) things about three female-led coming of age films: _Edge of Seventeen, Lady Bird,_ and _Eighth Grade_. In my opinion, one of these movies is great, one of these movies is good, and one of these movies is... not. So when I started hearing the exact same chatter around _Booksmart_, I was not certain what I should expect. Now, having seen it, it might actually be the best of the bunch. Certainly the funniest. Might well end up being my only non-Action movie of the year I go in for a rewatch on. _Final rating:★★★½ - I really liked it. Would strongly recommend you give it your time._
Manuel São Bento
If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog :) Last year, I missed A Vigilante from Olivia Wilde, and I still haven’t watched it. Over time, I gradually lost interest, and I might have even forgotten about its existence. However, after watching Booksmart (which arrived late as hell to my country), I’m definitely watching the former soon. I was never that big of a fan of the young-adult, high-school, coming-of-age type of movies, but some of my favorite films of the last few years (Lady Bird, The Edge of Seventeen) actually belong to that genre. Why am I enjoying these low-budget flicks more than others? Well, it can’t be a coincidence that every director that tackled these movies is either tremendously talented or shows incredible potential. In addition to this, all of these films (all directed by a woman) address a teenage story starring one or more female main characters. Now, hang on to your horses: no, these movies aren’t good because they’re made by women. No, the story isn’t captivating or entertaining due to the protagonists being women. These films are great simply because they’re made by filmmakers who know what to do with a camera and a story, besides starring brilliant actors… It just happens that all of these persons are women. I’m not part of any movement or hate group. I don’t care about politics. I hate people that let their reviews be influenced by external themes, ultimately being unfair to the movie. That said, I have no doubts that these films are better because they have women producing, directing, writing, and starring in it. Booksmart is extremely funny while being as realistic as possible at the same time. Tonally, Wilde seamlessly balances her movie, flowing through each plot point with no major missteps. Although, some occasional detours unnecessarily stretch the runtime, namely a few subplots that didn’t really offer anything worth the time, besides being a bit exaggerated. Nevertheless, the main storyline never loses its focus. Amy and Molly smoothly drive the screenplay through entertaining moments as well as grounded, pretty dramatic scenes. Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever are spectacular! I can’t remember the last time I watched such a phenomenal duo of protagonists, especially when it comes to young actors/actresses. They have impeccable chemistry, and it’s quite noticeable that some sequences are undoubtedly improvised. They also deliver one of the best one-on-one verbal confrontations ever put to screen. Just one long take with both giving their all. Outstanding acting, fantastic filmmaking. With these two actresses carrying the story forward, every single scene is elevated. The comedy bits are amusing, but the romantic drama surrounding them is addressed in such a genuine manner. Kudos to each and every screenwriter that worked on the scripts. To Olivia Wilde, I leave my wish of seeing her in more features. She has her own style, and she definitely has a lot to say, so I can’t wait for her next films. Booksmart carries enough sweet messages that will surely connect with audiences all over the world, whether you’re young, old, men or women. It still carries some cliches from the genre (not trusting your BFF, even though it’s clear you’re wrong), but it’s the play on stereotypes (not everyone seems what they show) that wins at the end. All in all, Olivia Wilde places her name on the list of directors to watch closely for the next few years. Booksmart is a wonderful addition to the coming-of-age genre, one that possesses two astonishing protagonists. Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever might become superstars in the future if they continue to display such remarkable performances. With the help of a great supporting cast as well, Wilde shows the exciting and entertaining side of graduating high-school, but also all of the real dramas that teenagers go through, with no restraints. It’s a character-driven story, and Amy and Molly are two persons that we should learn a lot from. It’s one of the best movies of the genre, even though it still contains some of its famous cliches and a few subplots that don’t quite come together. Definitely, give it a watch! Rating: B+
tmdb15435519
I know, I know. I should love this. And yes, the good parts are really good. But the bad parts are REALLY bad. I guess I'll round up to 3 stars, just to be fair.
Peter McGinn
I found this movie to be enjoyable and engaging in most ways. The script is intelligent except for one flaw, the young leads do a great job, and there is a sort of group chemistry amongst the student body. And it is witty and fun. Now, as someone who is over 60, I was a little saddened to find that the writers had killed off the world’s older generation and populated the movie with only the young. And I was disappointed that hardly anyone in the movie could make it through a sentence without dropping an f-bomb. Of course I am inured to the use of this catch-all word in film and cable tv, but when everyone, even two intelligent women who gave up fun while they studied their way through high school, can only manage using the f-word as adjectives, adverbs, verbs, etc., it makes you shudder for all the elite universities about to receive this influx of new talent.
beyondthecineramadome
Full review: <a>https://www.tinakakadelis.com/beyond-the-cinerama-dome/2021/12/28/one-night-only-booksmart-review<a> What makes _Booksmart_ so one of a kind is that it finally gives an honest voice to the smart girl. Not a pretentious voice, but a voice that feels genuine and sincere. It is an ode to the magical feeling of being young, of friendship, and of taking steps toward becoming the person you were destined to be. How to grow up and not lose childhood friendships when things don’t turn out the way you expected them to.
Nathan
_Booksmart_ is a hilarious coming of age story that has a surprising amount of heart. I loved everything about this film, from the raunchy jokes to the real existential fears of moving on to college. The cast is amazing, both Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever do an excellent job and the supporting cast is top notch. The comedy in this movie is done so right, the lines are delivered in realistic ways and the jokes hit quite often, my fiancé and I were completely cracking up at certain sections. All in all, I had a incredible time with this film! **Score:** _88%_ **Verdict:** _Excellent_
rsanek
Decent repurposing of the _Superbad_ story. Found the main character hard to like.
r96sk
<em>'Booksmart'</em> is a good watch! The plot does end up being something I feel like I've seen before and does get a bit too over-sentimental, though for much of the run time it is entertaining. Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein are a top duo, I totally believed their friendship - noteworthy (palpable, you could say...) chemistry in that sense. Skyler Gisondo also adds an amusing performance. Recommended.
CinemaSerf
"Amy" (Kaitlyn Dever) and best pal "Molly" (Beanie Feldstein) are school swats who, the day before their high school graduation, realise that they're not actually the smartest cookies in the school - but quite possibly the most boring. A few conversations with their fellow students reveal to them that they are every bit as clever, with just as promising prospects, only they have fun - booze, parties, music and even some sex. With twenty four hours to go before leaving, our not so dynamic duo decide to throw themselves wholeheartedly into a night of social whirling. It's clear that the pair already have their entire lives mapped out - only as they let their hair down they discover that their perfectly planned futures are not really what either of them want. Things all come to an head at a party hosted by the popular "Nick" (Mason Gooding) upon whom "Molly" has the slightest of crushes. What happens next? Well that's hardly a six million dollar question as this disappointingly predictable frat-flic takes us on their voyage of discovery. A trip that examines themselves, their attitudes and aspirations in exactly the same way as countless other films that illustrate the process of growing up. The dialogue is actually quite funny at times, but the faux-enthusiasm of the two women going through the increasingly turbulent motions of their relationship started to grate on me quite quickly and it does run quite a bit to stereotype - bits of "Fame" and bits of "Glee" with all boxes ticked. Wasn't for me, sorry.
Movie Recommendation
Game of Thrones: The Last Watch2019-05-26For a year, acclaimed British filmmaker Jeanie Finlay was embedded on the set of the hit HBO series “Game of Thrones,” chronicling the creation of the show’s most ambitious and complicated season. Debuting one week after the series 8 finale, GAME OF THRONES: THE LAST WATCH delves deep into the mud and blood to reveal the tears and triumphs involved in the challenge of bringing the fantasy world of Westeros to life in the very real studios, fields and car-parks of Northern Ireland. Made with unprecedented access, GAME OF THRONES: THE LAST WATCH is an up-close and personal portrait from the trenches of production, following the crew and the cast as they contend with extreme weather, punishing deadlines and an ever-excited fandom hungry for spoilers. Much more than a “making of” documentary, this is a funny, heartbreaking story, told with wit and intimacy, about the bittersweet pleasures of what it means to create a world – and then have to say goodbye to it.More...
The Perfection2018-09-20When troubled musical prodigy Charlotte seeks out Elizabeth, the new star pupil of her former school, the encounter sends both musicians down a sinister path with shocking consequences.More...
Troll 21990-10-12When young Joshua learns that he will be going on vacation with his family to a small town called Nilbog, he protests adamantly. He is warned by the spirit of his deceased grandfather that goblins populate the town. His parents, Michael and Diana, dismiss his apprehensions, but soon learn to appreciate their son's warnings. Guided by his grandfather's ghost, will Joshua and his family stand a chance in fighting off these evil beings?More...
The Kid Detective2020-10-16A once-celebrated kid detective, now 31, continues to solve the same trivial mysteries between hangovers and bouts of self-pity. Until a naive client brings him his first 'adult' case, to find out who brutally murdered her boyfriend.More...
Long Shot2019-05-02Journalist Fred Flarsky reunites with his childhood crush, Charlotte Field, now one of the most influential women in the world. As she prepares to make a run for the Presidency, Charlotte hires Fred as her speechwriter — much to the dismay of her trusted advisers.More...
The Laundromat2019-09-27When a widow gets swindled out of insurance money, her search for answers leads to two cunning lawyers in Panama who hide cash for the superrich.More...
The Farewell2019-07-12A headstrong Chinese-American woman returns to China when her beloved grandmother is given a terminal diagnosis. Billi struggles with her family's decision to keep grandma in the dark about her own illness as they all stage an impromptu wedding to see grandma one last time.More...
Plus One2019-06-14Longtime single friends, Ben and Alice, agree to be each other's respective plus one at every wedding they're invited to, during a busy summer of wedding fever.More...
First Girl I Loved2016-10-18Seventeen-year-old Anne just fell in love with Sasha, the most popular girl at her L.A. public high school. But when Anne tells her best friend, Clifton—who has always harbored a secret crush on her—he does his best to get in the way.More...
Edge of Seventeen1999-06-111984, Sandusky, Ohio. A naive 17-year-old navigates heartbreak and self-expression as he explores his sexuality.More...
Funny Story2018-01-21Aging TV star Walter Campbell's attempts to break up with younger girlfriend Lucy are thwarted by the announcement of her pregnancy. Looking for space, Walter resolves to visit his estranged daughter Nic, currently residing in Big Sur, resentful of her father's neglectful parenting and womanizing ways. He agrees to give a lift to Nic's friend Kim, who having recently attended the funeral of her estranged mother, is dealing with her own emotional baggage. Upon arriving in Big Sur, Walter discovers that Nic is living on a lesbian commune, and is in fact due to get married. Nic is appreciative of Walter's acceptance of her sexuality, which sees the pair's relationship begin to repair, but this newly formed bond is at risk of being destroyed once and for all.More...
Always Be My Maybe2019-05-31Reunited after 15 years, famous chef Sasha and hometown musician Marcus feel the old sparks of attraction, but struggle to adapt to each other's worlds.More...
Babyteeth2020-06-15A terminally ill teen upsets her parents when she falls in love with a small-time drug dealer.More...
Eighth Grade2018-01-19Thirteen-year-old Kayla endures the tidal wave of contemporary suburban adolescence as she makes her way through the last week of middle school — the end of her thus far disastrous eighth grade year — before she begins high school.More...
Ma2019-05-29Sue Ann is a loner who keeps to herself in her quiet Ohio town. One day, she is asked by Maggie, a new teenager in town, to buy some booze for her and her friends, and Sue Ann sees the chance to make some unsuspecting, if younger, friends of her own.More...
Ingrid Goes West2017-08-11Ingrid becomes obsessed with a social network star named Taylor Sloane who seemingly has a perfect life. But when Ingrid decides to drop everything and move west to be Taylor's friend, her behaviour turns unsettling and dangerous.More...
Laggies2014-09-25Overeducated and underemployed, 28 year old Megan is in the throes of a quarterlife crisis. Squarely into adulthood with no career prospects, no particular motivation to think about her future and no one to relate to, Megan is comfortable lagging a few steps behind - while her friends check off milestones and celebrate their new grown-up status. When her high-school sweetheart proposes, Megan panics and- given an unexpected opportunity to escape for a week - hides out in the home of her new friend, 16-year old Annika and Annika's world-weary single dad Craig.More...
Won't You Be My Neighbor?2018-06-29For more than thirty years, and through his television program, Fred Rogers (1928-2003), host, producer, writer and pianist, accompanied by his puppets and his many friends, spoke directly to young children about some of life's most important issues.More...
But I'm a Cheerleader2000-07-07Megan is an all-American girl. A cheerleader. She has a boyfriend. But Megan doesn't like kissing her boyfriend very much. And she's pretty touchy with her cheerleader friends. Her conservative parents worry that she must be a lesbian and send her off to "sexual redirection" school, where she must, with other lesbians and gays learn how to be straight.More...
American Factory2019-08-21In post-industrial Ohio, a Chinese billionaire opens a new factory in the husk of an abandoned General Motors plant, hiring two thousand blue-collar Americans. Early days of hope and optimism give way to setbacks as high-tech China clashes with working-class America.More...
Similar Movies
Harmony Cats
1992-08-06Graham Braithwaite is a violinist in a B.C. symphony. Unfortunately the symphony folds and much to his horror and disdain, he's forced to get a gig with a country band as the bassist. He has to leave the city and his girlfriend, Jane, to tour the B.C. interior with Frank Hay and his band.Seeking: Jack Tripper...
2015-06-20Tucker and Lance have been married for a few years now and are grappling with the onset of monotony. Both are loyal and supportive spouses, but the marriage rut which looms overhead has both in a quiet panic. The idea of pursuing a threesome has become a live-in white elephant; the practice is a stereotypical solution in the gay community and both partners begrudgingly agree to comply in an effort to appease the other. It isn’t long, however, before Tucker and Lance realize that domestic life has made them lame in the art of seduction, and in order to land the man of their mutual desires, they'll have to work together.Daltry Calhoun
2005-09-25In small town Tennessee, a ne'er-do-well man (Knoxville) wrestling for control over his fading golf club is reunited with his estranged daughter, a 14-year-old musical prodigy.Breaking Away
1979-05-24Dave, nineteen, has just graduated high school, with his three friends: the comical Cyril, the warm hearted but short-tempered Moocher, and the athletic, spiteful but good-hearted Mike. Now, Dave enjoys racing bikes and hopes to race the Italians one day, and even takes up the Italian culture, much to his friends' and parents' annoyance.Mrs. Ratcliffe's Revo...
2007-09-28Based on a true story, Mrs. Ratcliffe's Revolution is the tale of a family from Bingley in Yorkshire, who defect to East Germany. Here they find a nightmare of rationing, censorship and the most spied upon people in history rather than the Marxist utopia they were expecting. But if they thought getting in was difficult wait until they try to get out.Slap Happy
2017-09-01A couple constantly push the line between being comfortable with and abusive towards each other, resulting in an unexpected outcome.Deflated Dreams
2022-12-05In a used-car yard lives Tony, a wacky, waving inflatable-tube man, who dreams of being more than just an advertising gimmick. Spending his days flapping in the wind and peeking in the office window, Tony is mesmerised by a commercial for an all-new, shiny red convertible. Whisked away by his imagination, he dreams of a world beyond his own and a life behind the wheel. As time moves on, Tony becomes as tired and worn as the used-car yard. But when the car he’s longed for finally arrives in the dealership, Tony is forced to break his limits to protect his dream from a group of thieves.Pre-Drink
2017-09-09Alexe is a young trans woman, and Carl a gay man. Best friends since forever, an evening spent together destabilizes Alexe, when both decide to have sex together for the first time.Sleeves
2022-12-08While dealing with the worst trauma of her life, Caroline ditches school for the first time to search for her place in the world.Better Than Chocolate...
1999-07-08Not long after moving into her own place, Maggie finds herself with two unsolicited roommates: her recently divorced mother, Lila, and her young brother. The timing is especially bad, considering Maggie has fallen hard for an attractive woman, Kim, only hours before they move in. What could be a nonissue becomes increasingly complicated -- since Maggie's family is unaware of her sexual orientation, and Maggie is not open to sharing that information.The Proposal
2009-06-02When she learns she's in danger of losing her visa status and being deported, overbearing book editor Margaret Tate forces her put-upon assistant, Andrew Paxton, to marry her.My Science Project
1985-08-09His high school teacher issues an ultimatum: turn in a science project or flunk. So Mike Harlan scavenges a military base's junk pile for a suitable gizmo. He finds one... and unwittingly unleashes the awesome power and energy of the unknown. Twisted dimensions. Time warps. A fantastic realm where the past, present, and future collide in a whirling vortex of startling adventure and superlative special effects.Learning to Drive
2014-08-21As her marriage dissolves, a Manhattan writer takes driving lessons from a Sikh instructor with marriage troubles of his own. In each other's company they find the courage to get back on the road and the strength to take the wheel.Love or Whatever
2012-10-23Corey had it all - a successful career, bags of charm and, most of all, a bright future with his boyfriend. But, when his other half commits the ultimate betrayal and dumps him for a woman, he embarks upon a wild journey of self-discovery. Soon, he meets a potentially perfect new guy but first he needs to make some life-changing choices.Valley Girl
1983-04-08Julie, a girl from the valley, meets Randy, a punk from the city. They are from different worlds and find love. Somehow they need to stay together in spite of her trendy, shallow friends.Pure Luck
1991-08-09The daughter of a wealthy businessman has disappeared in Mexico, and all the efforts to find her have been unsuccessful. A psychologist, knowing that the girl has an ultra bad luck, persuades her father to send to Mexico one of his employees, an accountant with super bad luck, to find her. Perhaps he will be lucky, and his bad luck could help to find the unlucky girl.Just About Love?
2007-06-13End of High School, Beginning of Summer. A group of friends spend most of their time together, but little do they know that each and everyone of them has set their mind on pursuing one goal, the goal of every teenager : doing it for the first time. And sometimes the line between friendship, love and desire is really thin especially when you’re 15.East Side Story
2006-01-01Diego is a gay but closeted Hispanic chef living in East Los Angeles who works in the restaurant operated by his grandmother. Frustrated by the secretive lifestyle he shares with his similarly closeted lover, Pablo, Diego finds himself attracted to Wesley, one of the openly gay Caucasian men he feels are gentrifying his neighborhood. Their relationship pushes Diego to consider the possibility of a life he had never imagined.Cowboys & Angels
2004-07-23This story concerns a hapless civil servant who gets more than he bargains for when he moves into an apartment in Limerick with a gay fashion student and becomes a star on the catwalk. A contemporary story embracing the essence of what it is to be young in today's Ireland.World's Greatest Dad
2009-08-20In the wake of a freak accident, Lance suffers the worst tragedy and the greatest opportunity of his life. He is suddenly faced with the possibility of fame, fortune and popularity, if he can only live with the knowledge of how he got there.