Wednesday, June 5, 2019

"Booksmart" A Superbad Senior Breakout Flick with Funny Clever Chicks

Film and TV Actress Olivia Wilde makes her film directing debut with "Booksmart" written by Emmy winner Emily Halpern ("Black-ish").  Wilde brings something new & refreshing to the comedy genre of high school seniors, self-proclaimed losers, seeking to redeem their social status and achieve sexual conquests.  There is something blatantly outdated with "Booksmart."  The inane  casting of 20 somethings in roles as high school students deserves detention.  There has to be teens to fill roles as teens.  The entire h.s. class should've already graduated college by now. But, the 2 leads Amy (Kaitlyn Dever "Beautiful Boy") and Molly (Beanie Feldstein "Ladybird") are a pitch perfect comedic duo that precludes warranting a do over.  Feldstein, a youngish Rebel Wilson is magnetic, hilarious and commandeering as the over achieving student with myopic focus.  Molly put aside fun & socializing albeit for her cohort & bestie Amy (an endearing Dever).  The movie begins the last day of high school; a precipice into the future.  Amy picks up Molly for school but first the two do a pas de deus that is like to die for leaving you wanting more.  The footwork is paved for friends who have each other's back.  Back at school, the two are seen on the outside looking in as the student body is submerged in outlandish celebration for their imminent emancipation.  Molly with Amy in tow, go to see the principal (Jason Sudeikis) whose already clocked-out.  But, we'll see from Sudeikis later in an excruciatingly funny scene.  Molly is unsinkable and unperturbed by the bubble she & Amy have been under for 4 years because they both got into Ivy League schools.  Her bubble bursts big time when enlightened by classmates she perceived foolish & puerile they too got into top notch schools while finding time to enjoy other endeavors.  Molly's indignation ignites a highly motivated plan.  She & Amy will make up for lost time by having the time of their lives on their last night.  The two go on a major bender with hilarious detours.  They're not deterred from achieving maximum levels of  cool fun.  The film splashes into the foray of a "Superbad" genre starring Jonah Hill, Feldstein's sister.  "Booksmart" earns valedictorian honors & goes overboard with clever, laugh-out-loud, unexpected humor.  A scene where the girls try to heist a pizza delivery guy for directions to "the party" is priceless and a lock-up as a comedy classic.  The film doesn't shy away from unabashed sexual grossness but it's done with a gamine flair.  "Booksmart" makes top grades for its LOL ludicrousness.  Its high level of perfection goes to uber drive from the girls' bond of friendship so deep it's uplifting to fathom.   Wilde's two "wild & crazy" principles - don't miss out on all the fun - you don't get do overs.  My seminal advice is don't miss out on "Booksmart."

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