Booksmart

     You could call this the female Superbad if you want, but this is miles better than Superbad, which is really saying something because that is an almost perfect comedy. Booksmart though is just a completely different animal, and it features some of the best humor I have ever seen in a comedy. I remember watching this in the theater back when we were able to safely do that and I could not stop laughing out loud. I typically do not laugh that hard during a movie, but this was just different. It features excellent comedic timing, a great screenplay, and the cast chosen played their characters to perfection. Olivia Wilde also does a tremendous job directing this film. She did such a great job that I cannot wait to see what she does next. Every project that she is involved in now has become must-see.

            This film has the most basic premise that you could think of, and one that I felt resonated with the end of this year. One girl feels that her and her friend have not done enough to have fun and enjoy themselves throughout their lives, so they are trying to go to the final big party of the semester before they graduate and head their separate ways for college. The whole film revolves around them just trying to get to the party and all of the random adventures and hijinks that they manage to get into along the way and trust me when I tell you that the side quests and hijinks are memorable and hilarious. What makes this film so fun is the chemistry between Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever. They were perfectly cast and bounce the comedy off of each other perfectly. Every scene that they are in is hilarious because of the way they interact. This does not come across as two actresses, rather it plays out like you are watching two lifelong friends just talking nonsense. That type of genuine comedy is difficult to find, but these two managed to find it with each other. Wilde does a tremendous job directing because she just lets them be free. There was no micromanaging and because of that it feels more natural and less stiff, which is essential in a comedy. Jason Sudeikis is also perfect in his role as principal. He has just the right amount of sarcasm, depression, and overall frustration with life. The final actress that plays her role perfectly is Billie Lourd as Gigi. She steals the scene anytime she is onscreen. Her antics are absolutely hysterical.

            The film has a high pace which helps keep the attention. It starts off funny and never lets off the throttle. In particular, there is a scene in the middle involving some dolls that is possibly the funniest thing I have ever seen. I could not stop laughing throughout it and neither could anyone else in the audience. For as funny as this film is, it also carries with it a lot of great messages and tackles them all well. Being a high school comedy with graduation coming up, these messages have to do with the future and learning to let go of what you have to move forward in life. It also targets relationships and friendships and how we should not let these things keep us from accomplishing our goals because true friends will always support you and be there for you. This film fires on all cylinders and I honestly have no issues with it. The best comedy of the decade, it deserved every accolade it received. Official Rating: 5 Stars.