Booksmart
{{short description|2019 film by Olivia Wilde}}
{{about|the film||Book smart (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Booksmart
| image = Booksmart (2019 film poster).png
| alt = Two young woman sitting side by side, dressed in blue boiler suits
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Olivia Wilde
| writer = {{Plainlist|
}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Megan Ellison
- Chelsea Barnard
- David Distenfield
- Jessica Elbaum
- Katie Silberman
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
}}
| editing = {{Plainlist|
- Brent White
- Jamie Gross
}}
| music = Dan the Automator
| cinematography = Jason McCormick
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|
}}
| distributor = United Artists Releasing
| released = {{Film date|2019|3|10|SXSW|2019|5|24|United States}}
| runtime = 105 minutes{{cite web |url=https://schedule.sxsw.com/2019/films/2008753 |title=Booksmart |website=South by Southwest |access-date=January 1, 2021 |archive-date=
Mar 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330143802/https://schedule.sxsw.com/2019/films/2008753 |url-status=live }}
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $6 million{{cite web |date= June 2, 2019 |author= Charles Barfield |url= https://theplaylist.net/booksmart-box-office-debate-20190602/ |title= Sorry Folks, 'Booksmart' Was Set Up For Box Office Disappointment & Politicizing It Isn't Helping |website= The Playlist |access-date= June 2, 2019 |archive-date= June 2, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190602143416/https://theplaylist.net/booksmart-box-office-debate-20190602/ |url-status= live }}
}}
Booksmart is a 2019 American coming-of-age 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 United Artists Releasing. 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.{{Cite web |date= December 9, 2019 |author1=Kimberly Nordyke |author2= Jennifer Konerman |author3= Annie Howard |title= Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Golden Globes: Full List of Nominations |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2020-golden-globes-nominations-full-list-1259626/item/best-motion-picture-musical-comedy-1259661 |website= The Hollywood Reporter |access-date= December 9, 2019 |archive-date= December 9, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191209142818/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2020-golden-globes-nominations-full-list-1259626/item/best-motion-picture-musical-comedy-1259661 |url-status= live }}
Plot
High school seniors and longtime best friends Amy Antsler and Molly Davidson are accomplished Ivy League–bound students but unpopular with their peers despite Molly being class president.
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 and boasts that she got into Yale University, 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.
Unaware of 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, whereupon 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. Recognizing that the pizza delivery man is a serial killer from a wanted poster in jail, 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
File:Cast of Booksmart at SXSW - 32404721467.jpg, Molly Gordon, Will Forte, Jason Sudeikis, Billie Lourd, Kaitlyn Dever, and Beanie Feldstein at the film's South by Southwest premiere]]
{{Cast listing|
- 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{{cite web |last=Zuckerman |first=Esther |title=What It's Like Playing Mortal Enemies in 'Booksmart' for Three Real-Life Best Friends |url=https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/booksmart-movie-beanie-feldstein-molly-gordon-noah-galvin-interview |publisher=Thrillist |access-date=May 19, 2019 |date=May 9, 2019 |archive-date=May 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516223013/https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/booksmart-movie-beanie-feldstein-molly-gordon-noah-galvin-interview |url-status=live }}
}}
Production
=Development=
An early version of the screenplay, Book Smart by Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins, was circulated in 2009 and appeared on the 2009 Black List;{{Cite web |last=Finke |first=Nikki |author-link=Nikki Finke |date=2009-12-11 |title=The Black List 2009: Full Roster |url=https://deadline.com/2009/12/the-black-list-to-be-posted-here-in-entirety-19919/ |access-date=2024-03-10 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} in 2014 Susanna Fogel revised the screenplay, rewriting one lead character as a lesbian and revising the story so the girls are not seeking boyfriends for the prom, but are going to an after-prom party.{{cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/booksmart-from-hyped-2009-script-to-a-2019-hit-movie-2019-5 |title=How 'Booksmart' went from a 2009 script collecting dust to this year's must-see movie of the summer |work=Business Insider |first=Jason |last=Guerrasi |date=May 25, 2019 |access-date=May 25, 2019 |archive-date=May 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525154309/https://www.businessinsider.com/booksmart-from-hyped-2009-script-to-a-2019-hit-movie-2019-5 |url-status=live }}
Following the revisions, Annapurna Pictures purchased the screenplay and approached Gloria Sanchez Productions to produce it; Gloria Sanchez' Jessica Elbaum pitched the screenplay to Olivia Wilde, who read the screenplay and two days later expressed admiration for it. Megan Ellison, Chelsea Bernard, David Distenfeld, Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, and Elbaum would serve as producers on the film.{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/olivia-wilde-feature-directing-debut-booksmart/|title=Olivia Wilde to Make Feature Directing Debut With Booksmart|website=The Wrap|first=Umberto|last=Gonzalez|date=February 16, 2018|access-date=May 3, 2018|archive-date=May 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503112951/https://www.thewrap.com/olivia-wilde-feature-directing-debut-booksmart/|url-status=live}} Screenwriter Katie Silberman was hired for more revisions in spring 2018, and to update the story.{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2019/05/booksmart-writer-katie-silberman-interview-1202143169/ |title=How 'Booksmart' Writer Katie Silberman Turned a Beloved Years-Old Script Into the Movie of the Moment |website=Indiewire |first=Kate |last=Erbland |date=May 21, 2019 |access-date=May 25, 2019 |archive-date=May 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526035555/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/05/booksmart-writer-katie-silberman-interview-1202143169/ |url-status=live }} Silberman explored a new concept:
{{blockquote|What if the two friends realized that they did high school all wrong? What if they realized that everyone they thought just partied and wasted their high-school years were going to Ivy League schools just like them?}}
According to Silberman, "Olivia's mantra to all of us was that high school is war".{{cite web |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/how-booksmart-writer-katie-silberman-captured-the-all-out-war-that-is-high-school-17870724 |title=How 'Booksmart' Writer Katie Silberman Captured The All-Out "War" That Is High School |work=Bustle |first=Casey |last=Cipriani |date=May 20, 2019 |access-date=May 29, 2019 |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529212416/https://www.bustle.com/p/how-booksmart-writer-katie-silberman-captured-the-all-out-war-that-is-high-school-17870724 |url-status=live }} Wilde also envisioned "a drug trip where the girls turned into Barbie dolls" and gave Silberman the responsibility of where to incorporate it into the story.
=Casting=
In February 2018, Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein joined the cast of the film.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/olivia-wilde-booksmart-kaitlyn-dever-beanie-feldstein-1202702441/|title=Olivia Wilde Sets Directorial Debut Booksmart With Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein to Star|website=Variety|first=Justin|last=Kroll|date=February 16, 2018|access-date=May 3, 2018|archive-date=January 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190127132019/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/olivia-wilde-booksmart-kaitlyn-dever-beanie-feldstein-1202702441/|url-status=live}} In May 2018, Billie Lourd and Skyler Gisondo joined the cast of the film.{{cite web|url=http://tbrnews.com/entertainment/manhattan-beach-s-skyler-gisondo-from-santa-clarita-diet-to/article_6d1672e2-52f9-11e8-90aa-af2da18c3991.html|title=Manhattan Beach's Skyler Gisondo from 'Santa Clarita Diet' to star in indie film|website=The Beach Reporter|first=Michael|last=Hixon|date=May 9, 2018|access-date=May 15, 2018|archive-date=May 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510020758/http://tbrnews.com/entertainment/manhattan-beach-s-skyler-gisondo-from-santa-clarita-diet-to/article_6d1672e2-52f9-11e8-90aa-af2da18c3991.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/american-horror-story-billie-lourd-return-season-8-cast-ryan-murphy-fx-booksmart-movie-olivia-wilde-1202394276/|title=Billie Lourd To Return To American Horror Story For Season 8, Joins Booksmart Movie|access-date=May 18, 2018|date=May 18, 2018|last=Bentley|first=Jean|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-date=May 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519053712/http://deadline.com/2018/05/american-horror-story-billie-lourd-return-season-8-cast-ryan-murphy-fx-booksmart-movie-olivia-wilde-1202394276/|url-status=live}} That same month, Jason Sudeikis, Lisa Kudrow, Jessica Williams, Will Forte, Mike O'Brien, Mason Gooding, Noah Galvin, Diana Silvers, Austin Crute, Eduardo Franco, Molly Gordon, and Nico Hiraga joined the cast of the film.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/jason-sudeikis-lisa-kudrow-will-forte-booksmart-1202818142/|title=Jason Sudeikis, Lisa Kudrow, Will Forte, Others Join Olivia Wilde's 'Booksmart' (EXCLUSIVE)|website=Variety|first=Justin|last=Kroll|date=May 22, 2018|access-date=May 22, 2018|archive-date=May 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523095324/http://variety.com/2018/film/news/jason-sudeikis-lisa-kudrow-will-forte-booksmart-1202818142/|url-status=live}}
Silvers was initially asked to audition for Ryan, but felt her appearance was not ideal for the character and auditioned for Hope instead.{{cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/05/diana-silvers-on-booksmarts-groundbreaking-sex-scene.html |title=Diana Silvers on Booksmart's Groundbreaking Sex Scene |website=Vulture.com |first=Rachel |last=Handler |date=May 24, 2019 |access-date=May 25, 2019 |archive-date=June 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602131050/https://www.vulture.com/2019/05/diana-silvers-on-booksmarts-groundbreaking-sex-scene.html |url-status=live }} Wilde also urged Feldstein and Dever to live together to develop a rapport.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/why-booksmart-stars-beanie-feldstein-kaitlyn-dever-moved-together-filming-1210642 |title=Why 'Booksmart' Stars Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever Moved In Together During Filming |work=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Scott |last=Huver |date=May 14, 2019 |access-date=May 25, 2019 |archive-date=May 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526035553/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/why-booksmart-stars-beanie-feldstein-kaitlyn-dever-moved-together-filming-1210642 |url-status=live }} The two actresses were roommates in Los Angeles for ten weeks.{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/05/24/726232124/booksmart-director-olivia-wilde-teen-movies-made-me-excited-to-be-young |title='Booksmart' Director Olivia Wilde: Teen Movies 'Made Me Excited To Be Young' |publisher=NPR |first=Mary Louise |last=Kelly |date=May 24, 2019 |access-date=May 25, 2019 |archive-date=May 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525015319/https://www.npr.org/2019/05/24/726232124/booksmart-director-olivia-wilde-teen-movies-made-me-excited-to-be-young |url-status=live }} Wilde also asked the cast to read the screenplay and signal if they found dialogue that felt "inauthentic ... [and] rewrite it in your own voice". Silberman continued to write after casting, finding it easy to come up with dialogue to fit Feldstein and Dever. Silberman particularly credited the complementary language the characters use to Feldstein, who frequently posted "I have no breath" to Instagram. Wilde joked that her relationship with Sudeikis was his audition.{{cite web |author1=Liz Calvario |title=Olivia Wilde Jokes Her Relationship With Jason Sudeikis Was His 'Booksmart' Audition (Exclusive) {{!}} Entertainment Tonight |url=https://www.etonline.com/olivia-wilde-jokes-her-relationship-with-jason-sudeikis-was-his-booksmart-audition-exclusive-125076 |website=ETonline.com |date=May 10, 2019 |access-date=September 29, 2022 |archive-date=September 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929212608/https://www.etonline.com/olivia-wilde-jokes-her-relationship-with-jason-sudeikis-was-his-booksmart-audition-exclusive-125076 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Olivia Wilde on Directing Fiancé Jason Sudeikis: 'It's Really Amazing to See Him Do His Thing' |url=https://people.com/movies/olivia-wilde-directing-fiance-jason-sudeikis/ |website=Peoplemag |quote=He’s one of the best improvisers in the world so I knew I could cast him. |access-date=September 29, 2022 |archive-date=September 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929220120/https://people.com/movies/olivia-wilde-directing-fiance-jason-sudeikis/ |url-status=live }}
=Filming=
Principal photography began in May 2018 around the San Fernando Valley.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/dianasilvers13/status/991527592040660993|title=Sending endless love to the Booksmart peeps as they embark on week 1 of filming!! Can't wait to join you guys on set soon!! 🤩🤓 @BeanieFeldstein @KaitlynDever @oliviawilde ...and everyone else that I haven't met yet/don't know who's playing who 😬|website=Twitter.com|first=Diana|last=Silvers|date=May 1, 2018|access-date=May 3, 2018|archive-date=March 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307225523/https://twitter.com/dianasilvers13/status/991527592040660993|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dailynews.com/2019/05/17/the-new-movie-booksmart-was-filmed-in-and-around-the-san-fernando-valley-heres-where/|title=The new movie 'Booksmart' was filmed in and around the San Fernando Valley. Here's where|website=Los Angeles Daily News|first=Bob|last=Strauss|date=May 17, 2019|access-date=May 24, 2019|archive-date=October 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026123457/https://www.dailynews.com/2019/05/17/the-new-movie-booksmart-was-filmed-in-and-around-the-san-fernando-valley-heres-where/|url-status=live}} As a working mother, Wilde found the night filming challenging, but in the morning after filming she would take the time to bring her children to school. The effort was not something she could keep up in the long run, but having achieved her dream of getting to direct she was determined to "give it my all and make it work".
The research scene inside the library took place at Woodbury University.{{Cite web |date=2019-05-18 |title=The new movie 'Booksmart' was filmed in and around the San Fernando Valley. Here's where |url=https://www.dailynews.com/the-new-movie-booksmart-was-filmed-in-and-around-the-san-fernando-valley-heres-where |website=Daily News |access-date=2022-02-23 }}
Wilde and production designer Katie Byron decorated the bedrooms seen in the film, including with trophies and depictions of prominent American women Michelle Obama and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.{{cite web |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2019/05/233865/katie-silberman-booksmart-plot-details-interview |title=Booksmart's Screenwriter Katie Silberman May Be The New Rom-Com Queen |website=Refinery29 |first=Kathryn |last=Lindsay |date=May 28, 2019 |access-date=May 29, 2019 |archive-date=October 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007181518/https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2019/05/233865/katie-silberman-booksmart-plot-details-interview |url-status=live }}
{{Anchor|Animation}}
The animated dolls sequence was created over five months by a team of thirty people. Wilde had voiced a character on the series BoJack Horseman and contacted ShadowMachine, the animation studio behind BoJack, to create the sequence. Due to script rewrites, parts of the animated scene involving a Roomba and a scene showing glitter vomit were cut from the film.{{cite web |date=4 June 2019 |last=Frank |first=Priscilla |title=How the BoJack Horseman Animation Studio Tripped up Booksmart |url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/06/booksmart-animation-drug-trip-scene.html |website=Vulture |access-date=August 28, 2020 |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803235641/https://www.vulture.com/2019/06/booksmart-animation-drug-trip-scene.html |url-status=live }}
= Music =
{{Main|Booksmart (soundtrack)}}
The score for Booksmart was composed by Dan the Automator. Although he had assisted with the scores of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) and Money Monster (2016), Booksmart was the first full film score that Dan composed for a major US film.{{cite news |last1=Amter |first1=Charlie |title=Heeding the Call of Olivia Wilde, Dan the Automator Scores 'Booksmart' |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/booksmart-movie-music-composer-dan-the-automator-olivia-wilde-1203225194/ |access-date=April 10, 2021 |work=Variety |date=May 24, 2019 |archive-date=March 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321094625/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/booksmart-movie-music-composer-dan-the-automator-olivia-wilde-1203225194/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.soundtrack.net/album/booksmart-score/|work=Soundtrack.net |title=Booksmart (Original Motion Picture Score)}}
Release
File:Booksmart Panel at SXSW (33510393498).jpg, co-writer Katie Silberman, and producer Jessica Elbaum at the South by Southwest Booksmart panel]]
Booksmart premiered at the South by Southwest film festival on March 10, 2019.{{cite news |last1=Kilday |first1=Gregg |title=SXSW: Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey to Premiere New York |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/olivia-wilde-seth-rogen-matthew-mcconaughey-added-sxsw-film-fest-lineup-1176656 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 16, 2019 |archive-date=January 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117070149/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/olivia-wilde-seth-rogen-matthew-mcconaughey-added-sxsw-film-fest-lineup-1176656 |url-status=live }} It was then released theatrically in the United States on May 24, 2019, by Annapurna Pictures under its United Artists label. United Artists also utilized an Instagram campaign to sell tickets to a total of 800 advanced screenings across the country on May 17, 2019.{{cite news |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title=United Artists Offers Early Previews Via Instagram For Olivia Wilde's 'Booksmart' |url=https://deadline.com/2019/05/instagram-olivia-wilde-booksmart-early-previews-1202610454/ |access-date=April 9, 2021 |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=May 8, 2019 |archive-date=April 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409235706/https://deadline.com/2019/05/instagram-olivia-wilde-booksmart-early-previews-1202610454/ |url-status=live }} While some film analysts predicted that Booksmart would have its theatrical release in the fall, following the trend of previous R-rated, female-centered films Lady Bird and The Edge of Seventeen, Annapurna decided on a wide release over Memorial Day weekend in order to build on the word-of-mouth traction they had generated from the festival premiere.{{cite news |last1=Galuppo |first1=Mia |title=Box Office: 'Booksmart' Gambles With Wide Release and Stumbles |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-booksmart-gambles-wide-release-stumbles-1214066 |access-date=April 9, 2021 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 29, 2019 |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107231927/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-booksmart-gambles-wide-release-stumbles-1214066 |url-status=live }} Booksmart was released on digital download on August 20, 2019, and on DVD and Blu-ray on September 3, 2019.{{cite web |last=McCrae |first=Phil |url=https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/9460/booksmart |title=Booksmart Release Date |date=August 5, 2019 |access-date=August 5, 2019 |archive-date=August 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805120355/https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/9460/booksmart |url-status=live }}
Reception
= Box office =
Booksmart grossed $22.7 million in the United States and Canada, and $2.2 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $24.9 million.{{cite web |title=Booksmart (2019) |website=Box Office Mojo |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=booksmart.htm |access-date=June 14, 2019 |archive-date=August 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812144121/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=booksmart.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Booksmart (2019) |website=The Numbers |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Booksmart-(2019) |access-date=September 22, 2019 |archive-date=June 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616155953/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Booksmart-(2019) |url-status=live }}
In the United States and Canada, Booksmart was released alongside Aladdin and Brightburn, and was projected to gross around $12 million from 2,505 theaters in its four-day opening weekend.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/will-aladdin-dodge-the-blue-will-smith-jokes-and-find-box-office-riches/|title=Will 'Aladdin' Dodge the 'Blue Will Smith' Jokes and Find Box Office Riches?|website=TheWrap|author=Jeremy Fuster|date=May 21, 2019|access-date=May 21, 2019|archive-date=May 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522035029/https://www.thewrap.com/will-aladdin-dodge-the-blue-will-smith-jokes-and-find-box-office-riches/|url-status=live}} The film made $2.5 million on its first day, including $875,000 from Thursday night previews. It ended up underperforming, debuting to just $6.9 million (a four-day total of $8.7 million), finishing in sixth place.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/05/aladdin-memorial-day-box-office-1202621906/|title='Aladdin' Memorial Day Magic Carpet Ride Soars Higher With $112M+ Opening – Sunday AM Update|website=Deadline Hollywood|author=Anthony D'Alessandro|date=May 26, 2019|access-date=May 26, 2019|archive-date=May 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528021043/https://deadline.com/2019/05/aladdin-memorial-day-box-office-1202621906/|url-status=live}} Industry publications insisted that although the targeted young female demographic did turn out to the film, it should have begun with a limited release and expanded, similar to the R-rated, female-led high school comedy Lady Bird in 2017, and that Booksmart failed to stand out in the crowded marketplace.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-booksmart-gambles-wide-release-stumbles-1214066|title=Box Office: 'Booksmart' Gambles With Wide Release and Stumbles|website=The Hollywood Reporter|author=Mia Galuppo|date=May 29, 2019|access-date=May 30, 2019|archive-date=May 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529184610/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-booksmart-gambles-wide-release-stumbles-1214066|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2019/05/booksmart-box-office-divides-industry-annapurna-1202145145/ |title='Booksmart' Box Office Struggle Divides Industry Over Annapurna's Marketing and Release Strategy |first=Zack |last=Sharf |date=28 May 2019 |work=IndieWire |access-date=June 10, 2019 |archive-date=June 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608124048/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/05/booksmart-box-office-divides-industry-annapurna-1202145145/ |url-status=live }} In its second weekend the film made $3.3 million, dropping 52% and finishing in eighth.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/06/godzilla-king-of-the-monsters-rocketman-ma-opening-weekend-box-office-1202624876/ |title='Godzilla' Loses Teeth With $49M Opening, But Counter-Programming Excels For First Time This Summer With 'Rocketman' & 'Ma' |website=Deadline Hollywood |author=Anthony D'Alessandro |date=June 2, 2019 |access-date=June 2, 2019 |archive-date=May 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531161933/https://deadline.com/2019/05/godzilla-king-of-the-monsters-rocketman-ma-opening-weekend-box-office-1202624876/ |url-status=live }}
The film's largest market outside North America was the United Kingdom, where it grossed around US$1.8 million (£1.5 million) after seven weeks in theaters.{{cite web |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/spider-man-toy-story-4-stay-top-of-uk-box-office-as-annabelle-comes-home-lands-third/5141214.article |title='Spider-Man', 'Toy Story 4' stay top of UK box office as 'Annabelle Comes Home' lands third |publisher=Screen Daily |date=July 15, 2019 |access-date=August 11, 2019 |archive-date=October 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026123457/https://www.screendaily.com/news/spider-man-toy-story-4-stay-top-of-uk-box-office-as-annabelle-comes-home-lands-third/5141214.article |url-status=live }}
Director J. J. Abrams asked: "When you have a movie that's as entertaining, well-made, and well-received as Booksmart not doing the business it should have [the teen comedy underperforming at the box office despite critics' raves], it really makes you realize that the typical Darwinian fight to survive is completely lopsided now. Everyone's trying to figure out how we protect the smaller films that aren't four-quadrant mega-releases. Can they exist in the cinema?"{{cite web |date=June 20, 2019 |last=Buchanan |first=Kyle |title=How Will Movies Survive the Next 10 Years? (Published 2019) |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/06/20/movies/movie-industry-future.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225155315/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/06/20/movies/movie-industry-future.html |url-status=live }}
=Critical response=
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The website's critics consensus reads, "Fast-paced, funny, and fresh, Booksmart does the seemingly impossible by adding a smart new spin to the coming-of-age comedy."{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/booksmart|title=Booksmart (2019)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango|access-date={{RT data|access date}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101094233/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/booksmart/|archive-date=January 1, 2020|url-status=live}} On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 84 out of 100, based on 52 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/booksmart |title=Booksmart Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=February 18, 2020 |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209233750/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/booksmart |url-status=live }} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale, while those at PostTrak gave it an overall positive score of 80%. In December 2019, Rotten Tomatoes named Booksmart the #1 comedy of the decade on the site, using an adjusted formula that weighed multiple factors, including a film's release year and number of reviews.{{Cite web |title=The 50 Best Comedies of the 2010s – Best Comedy Movies of the Decade |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/the-50-best-comedy-movies-of-the-2010s/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219014731/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/the-50-best-comedy-movies-of-the-2010s/ |archive-date=December 19, 2019 |access-date=2019-12-29 |website=Rotten Tomatoes}}
Peter Debruge of Variety praised the ensemble cast as well as Wilde's direction, calling the film "the best high school buddy comedy since Superbad".{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/booksmart-review-1203159846/ |title= 'Booksmart' Review: The Best High School Buddy Comedy Since 'Superbad' |author= Peter Debruge |date= March 11, 2019 |work= Variety |access-date= May 28, 2019 |archive-date= May 27, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190527184322/https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/booksmart-review-1203159846/ |url-status= live }} John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter called the film a "hilarious, blazingly paced teen comedy."{{cite web |date=March 10, 2019 |last=DeFore |first=John |title='Booksmart': Film Review {{!}} SXSW 2019 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/booksmart-review-1193663 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=March 1, 2020 |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218125056/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/booksmart-review-1193663 |url-status=live }} Writing for the Chicago Sun-Times, Richard Roeper gave the film three-and-a-half stars out of four, calling it a "refreshingly original take on the raunchy coming-of-age comedy" and praising Feldstein and Dever's chemistry.{{Cite news |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/5/21/18633001/booksmart-review-movie-beanie-feldstein-kaitlyn-dever-olivia-wilde-richard-roeper |title='Booksmart': The smart girls cut loose over one wild but insightful night of partying |last=Roeper |first=Richard |author-link=Richard Roeper |date=May 21, 2019 |work=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=May 22, 2019 |archive-date=May 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530235523/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/5/21/18633001/booksmart-review-movie-beanie-feldstein-kaitlyn-dever-olivia-wilde-richard-roeper |url-status=live }} Alissa Wilkinson of Vox awarded the film a score of four out of five, writing that the "memorably relatable" Booksmart is also a "delightful reminder that growing up is about realizing nobody's a stereotype".{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/5/24/18633875/booksmart-review-beanie-feldstein-kaitlyn-dever|title=Booksmart review: Like Superbad, but with girls, and better|author=Alissa Wilkinson|date=May 24, 2019|website=Vox.com|access-date=May 28, 2019|archive-date=May 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526055246/https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/5/24/18633875/booksmart-review-beanie-feldstein-kaitlyn-dever|url-status=live}}
Linda Holmes of NPR gave an especially favorable review, calling the film "a humane and heartfelt film without a mean bone in its figurative body".{{cite web |last= Holmes |first= Linda |title= 'Booksmart' Is A Wise And Warm Summer Comedy |url= https://www.npr.org/2019/05/23/725868145/booksmart-is-a-wise-and-warm-summer-comedy |website= NPR.org |date= May 23, 2019 |publisher= NPR |access-date= February 29, 2020 |archive-date= February 28, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200228204013/https://www.npr.org/2019/05/23/725868145/booksmart-is-a-wise-and-warm-summer-comedy |url-status= live }} Vulture{{'}}s Emily Yoshida also favorably wrote that it "manages to be inclusive and progressive, without being precious about anything or sacrificing an ounce of humor".{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/05/booksmart-movie-review.html|title=Booksmart Is a Goddamn Delight, and a Major Moment in the Teen Movie Canon|author=Emily Yoshida|date=May 24, 2019|work=Vulture|access-date=May 28, 2019|archive-date=May 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526010944/https://www.vulture.com/2019/05/booksmart-movie-review.html|url-status=live}} A. O. Scott of The New York Times regarded the film as "sharp but not mean, warm without feeling too soft or timid", and referring to Feldstein and Dever as "a classic comedy duo".{{cite web |author= A. O. Scott |author-link= A. O. Scott |date= May 22, 2019 |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/22/movies/booksmart-review.html |title= Review: 'Booksmart' Crashes the Party and Aces the Test |work= The New York Times |access-date= May 28, 2019 |archive-date= May 27, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190527184400/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/22/movies/booksmart-review.html |url-status= live }} Joe Morgenstern of The Wall Street Journal deemed Booksmart a "prodigy", stating that no film that was "funnier, smarter, quicker or more joyous has graced the big screen in a long time."{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/booksmart-review-a-joy-cover-to-cover-11558642612|title='Booksmart' Review: A Joy, Cover to Cover |date=May 23, 2019 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=January 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718165648/https://www.wsj.com/articles/booksmart-review-a-joy-cover-to-cover-11558642612 |archive-date=July 18, 2019 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live }}
=Accolades=
Booksmart was included on 68 critics' top-ten lists, and on two lists was ranked in first place.{{cite web |title= Best of 2019: Film Critic Top Ten Lists |url= https://www.metacritic.com/feature/critics-pick-top-10-best-movies-of-2019 |website= Metacritic |access-date= March 1, 2020 |archive-date= January 12, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200112201058/https://www.metacritic.com/feature/critics-pick-top-10-best-movies-of-2019 |url-status= live }}
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{wikiquote}}
- {{IMDb title|1489887}}
{{Olivia Wilde}}
{{Susanna Fogel}}
{{Annapurna Pictures}}
{{GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Wide Release}}
{{TFCA Award for Best First Feature}}
Category:2019 directorial debut films
Category:2019 independent films
Category:2019 LGBTQ-related films
Category:2010s buddy comedy films
Category:2010s coming-of-age comedy films
Category:2010s English-language films
Category:2010s female buddy films
Category:2010s high school films
Category:2010s teen comedy films
Category:American buddy comedy films
Category:American coming-of-age comedy films
Category:American female buddy films
Category:American films with live action and animation
Category:American high school films
Category:American teen comedy films
Category:American teen LGBTQ-related films
Category:Annapurna Pictures films
Category:English-language buddy comedy films
Category:English-language independent films
Category:English-language teen comedy films
Category:Films directed by Olivia Wilde
Category:Films produced by Adam McKay
Category:Films produced by Megan Ellison
Category:Films produced by Will Ferrell
Category:Films set in Los Angeles
Category:Films shot in Los Angeles
Category:Films with screenplays by Katie Silberman
Category:Films with screenplays by Susanna Fogel
Category:Gloria Sanchez Productions films
Category:Lesbian-related films
Category:LGBTQ-related buddy comedy films
Category:LGBTQ-related coming-of-age comedy films