While the bevy of high school party movies tend to be centered on young men trying to go out and get, as the youth say, turnt up, last year’s BLOCKERS was proof there are plenty of stories to be told from the female perspective in that space. Enter the new movie BOOKSMART, a story of two over-achieving students who want to use the last day of high school to prove they’re just as fun as the slackers, dopers and other really smart kids who also found time to party.
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The directorial debut of actress Olivia Wilde, the movie debuted at SXSW to some pretty excellent reviews, with some critics saying it’s the best movie of its kind since SUPERBAD, and that it’s an incredible feature debut from Wilde. With the trailer, we’re getting a sense of the some of the familiar themes that run through other movies of its ilk, but the perspective it's coming from and the characters making up the story are where it can stand out from the pack. On top of that, it just looks like a wild time, and Wilde seems to have a great grasp on how to balance the crude with the endearing.
The movie stars Kaitlyn Dever (SHORT TERM 12), Beanie Feldstein (LADY BIRD), Jessica Williams (THE DAILY SHOW), Billie Lourd (STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI), Lisa Kudrow, Will Forte and Jason Sudeikis. Written by Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, Susanna Fogel, and Katie Silberman, the movie was produced by Megan Ellison, Chelsea Bernard, David Distenfeld, Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, and Jessica Elbaum.
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Here’s the synopsis:
Told from a wildly original, fresh and modern perspective, Booksmart is an unfiltered comedy about high school best friends and the bonds we create that last a lifetime. Capturing the spirit of our times, the film is a coming of age story for a new generation.
BOOKSMART is in theaters May 24.