Booksmart

Theatrical release poster

***Booksmart*** is a 2019 American comedy film directed by Olivia Wilde (in her feature directorial debut) and written by Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, Susanna Fogel, and Katie Silberman. It stars Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever as two graduating high school girls who set out to finally break the rules and party on their last day of classes. Jessica Williams, Lisa Kudrow, Will Forte, and Jason Sudeikis also star.

The film had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 10, 2019 and was theatrically released in the United States on May 24, by Warner Bros. Pictures under United Artists and Annapurna Pictures. It received critical acclaim and grossed $25 million against a $6 million budget. For her performance, Feldstein was nominated for Best Actress – Comedy or Musical at the 77th Golden Globe Awards.

## Plot

High school seniors Amy and Molly, longtime best friends, are accomplished students but, with Molly being class president, not popular with their peers. Amy has a crush on a girl named Ryan, which Molly urges her to pursue. On the eve of graduation, Molly confronts classmates insulting her bookishness, telling them she got into Yale, but they reveal that, despite their partying, they also got into prestigious colleges or job recruitments. Furious, Molly tells Amy they should have enjoyed their time in high school more, and Amy reluctantly agrees to go to a graduation party held by classmate Nick.

Not knowing the party's address, Molly calls Jared, a wealthy classmate who likes her. He instead takes them to his own party aboard a yacht. Only his drug-crazed friend Gigi is there, who feeds the girls strawberries before jumping off the yacht. Amy suggests they go home, but Molly calls a "Malala", their code for unconditionally supporting what the other wants to do.

The girls call a rideshare car and are shocked to be picked up by their principal, Jordan Brown. To prepare Amy for possible sex with Ryan, Molly insists they watch pornography, which accidentally plays through the car speakers. Brown drops them off at what they think is Nick's party, but it is the home of their classmate George, who is hosting a murder mystery party. They again encounter Gigi, who reveals that the strawberries were laced with hallucinogens, whenupon they trip that they are plastic fashion dolls. They leave George's house, but Gigi reveals Molly secretly likes Nick.

Amy insists they press on so that Molly can pursue her crush on Nick. They see pizza boxes in an online video of Nick's party and acquire the address by threatening the pizza delivery man. With only 2% phone battery, Molly calls their favorite teacher, Miss Fine, who gives them a ride to Nick's party.

Once there, they are surprised to find they are warmly welcomed. Molly and Nick flirt over beer pong and Amy spends time with Ryan. Amy finds Ryan making out with Nick. Heartbroken, she finds Molly and calls her own "Malala", which Molly refuses because she still thinks she has a chance with Nick. Amy angrily reveals she is not just spending the summer in Botswana but taking an entire gap year because she resents how Molly always tries to control her life. The two argue in front of the entire party.

Amy runs to the bathroom, finding her classmate Hope. They are initially argumentative until Amy kisses her. They start to have sex, until Amy vomits on Hope. Jared and Molly have a heartfelt conversation about how no-one at school really knows them. Cops arrive at the party and everyone scatters. Unable to find Amy, Molly is driven home by "Triple A", a popular student with a promiscuous reputation. They bond over the stereotyping they have both endured.

Waking up on graduation day, Molly checks her phone and discovers her classmates praising Amy for creating a diversion at the party, allowing everyone to escape the police while getting herself arrested. Molly visits Amy in jail and apologizes for her manipulative actions, and they reconcile. Learning the pizza delivery man is a serial killer, they trade information to free Amy, and take Jared's car to graduation. Molly kisses Jared onstage and gives an improvised valedictorian speech, receiving a standing ovation.

A few days later, as Molly helps Amy prepare for her trip to Botswana, Hope visits to give Amy her phone number. Molly drives Amy to the airport where they share a tearful goodbye, but then Amy decides she still has time to hang out before her flight, so they ecstatically decide to get pancakes.

## Cast[edit]

(L:R) Noah Galvin, Molly Gordon, Will Forte, Jason Sudeikis, Billie Lourd, Kaitlyn Dever, and Beanie Feldstein at the film's South by Southwest premiere

* Beanie Feldstein as Molly Davidson
* Kaitlyn Dever as Amy Antsler
* Jessica Williams as Miss Fine
* Lisa Kudrow as Charmaine Antsler
* Will Forte as Doug Antsler
* Jason Sudeikis as Principal Jordan Brown
* Billie Lourd as Gigi
* Diana Silvers as Hope
* Skyler Gisondo as Jared
* Molly Gordon as Annabelle aka "Triple A"
* Noah Galvin as George
* Austin Crute as Alan
* Victoria Ruesga as Ryan
* Eduardo Franco as Theo
* Nico Hiraga as Tanner
* Mason Gooding as Nick Howland
* Mike O'Brien as Pat the Pizza Guy
* Bluesy Burke as Cindy
* Christopher Avila as Rob
* Stephanie Styles as Alison
* Adam Simon Krist as Dick
* Gideon Lang as Skip
* Maya Rudolph as Motivational Voice