Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
Two academic teenage superstars realize, on the eve of their high school graduation, that they should have worked less and played more. Determined to never fall short of their peers, the girls set out on a mission to cram four years of fun into one night.
Booksmart is a sharp, energetic directorial debut from Olivia Wilde that stands out for its genuine chemistry between leads Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever, who deliver performances well above what the coming-of-age comedy genre typically produces. The plot follows a familiar 'one wild night' structure that doesn't break new ground but executes its beats with wit and heart. Cinematography is competent and occasionally stylish (notably the pool sequence) but not a defining visual achievement. Novelty is modest — while the film refreshingly centers female friendship and queer identity without making them the 'issue,' the premise itself is well-worn. The ending wraps things up warmly but predictably, landing emotionally without surprising.