Alison had watched and reviewed Booksmart back in October last year. Search for her review. I had heard good things about this movie, and this being the directorial debut of Olivia Wilde. The movie stars a good young cast, who are playing a modern day version of Fast Times at Ridgmount High and the predecessor before that American Graffiti with a bunch of high school kids on their last day of high school and before graduation.
The primary star is the young Kaitlyn Dever, named Amy (who was also in the series Unbelievable) and closely tied with her on screen best friend Molly, the school’s valedictorian (played well by Beanie Feldstein) and their graduating class and some school personnel. These two best friends, and school outsiders, pledged to focus entirely on studies and school government with a view to getting into good schools and avoid typical high school trappings (partying, drugs, trouble etc). On the last day of school Molly realizes unexpectedly that some of her classmates, who didn’t seem to focus entirely on school managed to get into equally notable schools as she did (but they also had fun). She pledges to Amy that they will party it up on their last night of high school, even though they weren’t invited to any parties. The story moves on to their numerous adventures. It’s a fun story, and I had a number of good laughs along the way. Things just happen to them, and they have encounters with a number of their classmates and others along the way. Problems arise that need to be solved and the two face a number of challenges. The story is well told and the various side stories match up well (I thought anyway). I like the message about high school as a stepping stone and even those who you may think have it all together, don’t necessarily do. There is a good message about friendship. Things don’t always turn out the way you had planned, even for a single evening of fun. This isn’t always a bad thing. We learn, we grow, we take next steps. The hope is that you meet some good people along the way that you can relate to and connect with. Some will stay with you briefly, while others may be around for a lifetime. As one ages you can see some of these people as you look backwards at your life. There are a lot of truths to be found. I can hear my daughter telling me that I am being pretentious and obvious at the same time. Some moves are fun. Some movies have messages and others still can do both. This is a quality first time directorial debut for Wilde. She seems have to a very good grasp of the material and allowing her able actors to make it work. I note that she didn’t write the screenplay.
I am continuing to work through Killing Eve Season 3, which I do enjoy as well as RUN Season 1 which seems to be getting better each episode. It started slowly with the other adult investigator star from Unbelievable (Merritt Wever) and Domhnall Gleeson, but it gets better and more complex. This is yet another series where Phoebe Waller Bridge has her input (and acting skills). Waller Bridge in also involved with Killing Eve. I am also continuing to watch Westworld Season 3. I realize as I watch these episodes just how complex this series really is. I am not even sure after a short time whether I had watched that episode or not. Dolores is exploring the “real world” having escaped the adult amusement park. She has a few friends with her. Plenty to pay attention about.
I am missing movies. I am missing the theatre. This goes without saying I suppose. I am more distressed about the delays in movie releases like James Bond, Dune, Top Gun etc. Of course the studios don’t want to lose out on the theatre revenue at $15 a seat. But it would seem that this virus will keep people out of theatres for quite a while – well maybe everywhere but the US, unless they start showing movies in church. Stay safe. Stay home.
Mondays With Robbie 