Booksmart: A Progressive, Witty Redefinition of the Teen Comedy

Olivia Wilde's directorial debut Booksmart could easily be compared to the many coming-of-age movies before it. But Booksmart is its own creation. Booksmart is a female-led journey of self-discovery for two best friends. Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) are two high school seniors who have spent their whole high school career studying with goals of attending Ivy League schools. While they devoted their time to studying their classmates have been hardcore partying for four years and still managed to get into the Ivy League prestige. This realization prompts the two besties to fit four years of partying into the night before they graduate. This leads to a long, wild night of adventure for these two.


The movie distances itself from many other teen comedies due to its clever script written by a team of female writers. The dialogue throughout the film feels so natural for each character. Along the way to the cool kid's party, they run into many iconic supporting characters. Billie Lourd's portrayal as Gigi and Skyler Gisondo as Jared both give memorable performances of two unique characters in the girls' graduating class. They both are truly scene-stealers. Booksmart focuses heavily on female friendship and all its complexities. It is both a good time and a deep insight at the bond between two high school girls. The film differs from many teen comedies due to it having actual substance and going beyond surface level with each of its characters. It serves a meaning rather than just 2 hours of nonsense. The two girls have big dreams of being supreme courts justices or making tampons in Botswana, there is more to them. The characters of the film are realistic as in the movie doesn't play off the idea of them being good or bad. Throughout the film, everyone is just trying to have a good time and no one is pit against one another or is a villain. They emphasize the message as life is something they all are going through together at this stage of their time and that they do not know more than one another, they are all still figuring things out.


Dever and Feldstein both carry the film. They are two best friends who go through the ups and downs of friendship even resulting in an argument at the party. This doesn't break their bond as they realize each one has the best intent for the other. Booksmart is both comedic and revolutionary. It teaches us to not make assumptions based on looks or rumors about those we do not know. Once we break down these molds we can learn more about those around us and see that we are all the same and are going through the same stuff. We shouldn't judge our peers based on the categories they are placed in without getting to know them. I hope to see more movies like this made. The movie has a feel-good spirit and is the summer comedy we have been waiting for years for.