Booksmart is in a league of its own

*Disclaimer: Contains spoilers

"We are not one-dimensional! We are smart and we are fun."

God, I love women. And I love Olivia Wilde for letting us into the world of Amys and Mollys.

Never would I have thought that a movie about know-it-all overachievers would be this cool. I spent my high school years avoiding those girls and here this movie is convincing me that these are the people I should've spent more time with. (In hindsight, that last sentence makes me seem like a total douchebag but let me tell you that my time in college was spent trying to emulate those girls so that's karma for me.)

This movie is perfect in the way that it begins with an inspirational power trip monologue by Maya Rudolph as the wonderful Beanie Feldstein removes her retainers. The following dance sequence between best friends Amy, played by Kaitlyn Denver, and Molly is one that I've seen retweeted seemingly hundreds of times on my twitter feed. It's a cute way to introduce and establish the dynamic between these two girls. From the get-go, we learn of these two young feminists and their unapologetic attitudes.

*The first 6 minutes of Booksmart are available here:

More exposition happens within school hallways and classrooms as we see a gaggle of characters and personalities including the Principal, theatre kids, and Jared. Jared gets a special mention because he deserves it. Favorite moment goes to the foreign studies student who can't keep his mouth shut about living in Barcelone (pronunciation: BAR-sə-LOH-nə) because we all know that guy.

This movie makes me feel seen when Molly balks at her peers all going to Ivy League schools, saying "This isn't possible, you guys don't even care about school," and her so-called nemesis Triple A replies with, "No, we just don't ONLY care about school,". I spent so much time in uni wondering how some kids could have it all. You'd find them drinking the night away at bars and yet still on time for class the next day with an A on their most recent exam. It was infuriating how time seemed to work differently for those guys. How they found the perfect work-party balance to keep them afloat when it came to academics and social status was beyond me.

All hell breaks loose on Amy and Molly's last day and only then do these girls realize that this night is the last chance they have to party before graduating. Molly's superiority complex has deflated and she now feels inferior to everyone else who got to have fun and excel in school, all while she thought that she had to give up one in order to enjoy the other. What ensues is one of the greatest overnight adventures known to cinema.

The best scene of the movie involves a swimming pool with 'Slip Away' by Perfume Genius playing in the background. The water lowers Amy's defences and reveals a truth that makes her world come crashing down into an unexpected heartbreak. It's simple and yet manages to be a stunning moment.

This revelation causes Amy and Molly to fight, and all sound cuts during their argument. None of the words matter. They don't mean it; they're both just hurt. It leads to them facing something they've both been avoiding but in return makes them better people afterwards. Graduation comes and both girls have cemented themselves as more than straight As and SAT scores. More than that, they've also discovered the same of their classmates and peers.

Our main characters have the best ending they could ask for after the best night of their high school lives. They've casted out their demons. They've been through a lot and they know each other better than ever. One night, three parties, and many epiphanies later, they part ways with the only goodbye that makes sense: pancakes, fuck yeah!

It's hard to think about another movie as well rounded as Booksmart, with a close premise and similar themes. Superbad seems to be what people have been comparing it to, which is interesting considering Jonah Hill and Feldstein are siblings. I see why people liken the two, but I think the latter's raunchy comedy puts it into another movie subgenre. Booksmart, for me, is its own type of perfect movie.

Some of the best things in this movie include its own soundtrack. Each song feels perfectly chosen for every scene that asks of one. Billie Lourd is a scene stealer in her best role yet. Every time she's on screen is a wild ride that I never wanted to end. If it ever came down to a class war, and of course I'd be on the side screaming "Eat the rich!", I'd hesitate before pulling the trigger on Gigi.

What makes this movie truly great is its script. Olivia Wilde's dialogue is so witty and sharp. It is a tight knit story that is perfect for the time that it was made. There is so much in it that it is a total joy to see even on multiple rewatches, and I've seen it 3 times since it came out. No character is wasted because each has its own shining moment. Well maybe except for Ms. Fine who makes some questionable choices, but other than that each one comes back full force and brings something to the table.

Booksmart is truly unique in the way it tackles its characters, most importantly its two heroines, and in the way it reinvigorates high school teen comedies. Booksmart is a gem unlike any other.