Booksmart (early screening on May 1, 2019)

It’s produced by Will Ferrell. It’s the directorial debut of Olivia Wilde. And it is the charming, relevant, timely coming-of-age comedy that you didn’t know you need to watch- until now. Being an AMC A-List member afforded me the chance to watch an early screening of "Booksmart;" and, I am so glad office work did NOT get in my way of making this one.

In the film, high school best friends and Valedictorian/Salutatorian Molly and Amy (played by Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever) realize the day before graduation that while they chose studying over enjoying high school’s extracurriculars to get into their respective Ivy League schools, their classmates got into the same caliber of schools and had WAY more fun doing so. Determined not to let the last party night of the year pass them by, the duo sets out to break the rules they set out for themselves (and even some legal ones as well). Molly and Amy’s night of fun lends itself to hilarious moments involving all of today’s mobile apps including Uber/Lyft, Instagram, Facebook, etc. The laughs come fast and often, while friendships are tested, unexpected relationships are built, and moves are made to say goodbye to high school before facing all that comes afterwards.

The on-screen chemistry between Beanie and Kaitlyn is something to behold. From the very opening sequence, it actually feels as though the two of them have spent every second they possibly can together. Plans have been set into motion, decisions about the future have been made, and the two seem to have everything sorted out, right up until having everything planned out isn’t going to cut it the night before graduation. Molly and Amy decide to let the wind take them; and, what ensues is utter chaos and beautiful madness. The two finally shed their overly protective layers and venture out into the world beyond books and grades. What they find is as invigorating and educational as any classroom they’ve been in or homework assignment they’ve completed. But, how much do these new lessons cost them to learn?

Booksmart runs approximately an hour and forty minutes; but, it rarely drags. With very little in the form of boring, gap-filling scenes, this film takes audience members on a ride too bumpy to mind when things slow down a bit because those moments don’t last long. The musical accompaniment seamlessly feeds into every step along the film’s plot development; and, as much fun as viewers have along the ride, we are still genuinely interested in seeing how things turn out. Booksmart will bring some hints of nostalgia to those of us whose high school days are long behind us and may very well be an anecdote for those of you who are entering a similar stage in your own lives. Most importantly, it brings light to a number of issues facing today’s youth while proving that no problem should have to be the end of the world, impossible as it might be to realize that in the moment. This film gets a strong 4 reps out of 5 from me and you are going to want to watch this in theaters, as soon as it drops, with a bunch of your close friends because it engenders purely good vibes. And, if you’re anything like me, your vibe is your tribe.

Are you excited to catch Booksmart yet? Have I convinced you to walk down the movie aisle and grab your ticket to the most fun you’ll have learning so far this year? I swear they’re not paying me for this.