Feminist Rating: E for Equal
MPA Rating: R
Bechdel-Wallace Test: Pass
Female/feminist director: Yes – Olivia Wilde
Where to watch: Now Streaming on Hulu or available for rent or purchase through your favorite VOD service.
Favorite quote: “Prepare to get consensually bashed.”
Olivia Wilde has said she had a buddy cop movie in mind while making this film. The idea of having two high school girls carry the genre of ‘buddy cop’ truly shines in this feminist take on coming of age as the protagonists learn and grow as young women while sticking together, even when the going gets tough.
At times, watching Booksmart made me feel like I was watching a girl version of Superbad. Jonah Hill’s real life sister, Beanie Feldstein, even plays Molly – one of two main female protagonists. But this film has a more representative message for almost all viewers. Amy, played by Kaitlyn Dever, is the gay and Salutatorian best friend complement to Molly, the valedictorian. Molly never apologizes for who she is and refuses to be an obedient, good girl. She stands up for herself when others try to bully her. She comes to realize that she tried to be the perfect girl throughout high school by only focusing on grades and getting into her dream college, but she also wants to be fun and not one dimensional. Amy allows her friend’s antics, but refuses to let anyone, including her best friend, say anything negative about others or themselves. She is still looking for love two years after coming out as gay, and she is not going to graduate high school without hooking up with her crush Ryan, if Molly has anything to say about it.
Given this premise, I appreciate the plethora of representation I saw on screen during this film. There are multiple, significant, named characters who are girls, queer, and non-white. Gigi (Billie Lourd) and Triple A (Molly Gordon) are female seniors who seem to have it all – both are popular, a bit edgy, and will attend ivy league schools in the fall – but we get to see their vulnerabilities too. Ryan (Victoria Ruesga) and Hope (Diana Silvers) are potential lovers for Amy. Hope refreshingly takes on an almost James Dean ‘bad boy’ persona with her smolder and casual lean against the wall in her fringe jacket. George (Noah Galvin) and Alan (Autin Crute) are the tertiary (yes, tertiary) queer characters who always know how to add a little art, drama, or song to everyone’s lives. Nick (Mason Gooding), Tanner (Nico Hiraga), and Theo (Eduardo Franco) are male side characters who are all played by men of color. This film also has a feminist male character – Jared (Skyler Gisondo). He is the optimistic, puppy-dog-like feminist ally we all honestly need in our real lives.
The layers of queer characters and representation in this film are incredible. Rarely do I see films that show the main protagonist discovering more about queer sexuality in a way that is normalized and virtually free of homophobia. This film shows exceptional examples of the organic process that teens on any part of the spectrum of queerness go through to learn about sex on their own, without thorough and open sex education.
One type of character I would have liked to see on screen is someone with diversabilities. Everyone in this movie was represented as neurotypical and physically typical. People with diversabilities deserve representation in film, too!
Overall, Booksmart and the people behind this film have set an example for bringing more representation into movies. Writers should follow the lead of Booksmart screenwriter Katie Silberman (Isn’t It Romantic and Set It Up) by actively including female, queer, and POC characters in their scripts. Major kudos to casting director Allison Jones (known for comedies like Bridesmaids and the upcoming Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar) for her brilliant casting of fun, mostly new, and diverse actors who all stepped up to the plate to deliver excellent performances. It is worth noting that the film also stars Jason Sudeikis, Jessica Williams, Lisa Kudrow, and Will Forte, who all bring their individual comedic flair. The mix of good writing and casting, a fun romp of a plot, and feel-good themes make this coming of age story stand out as a clear win for feminism in Hollywood. This film deservedly receives an E (Equal) rating.
If you like this film, you might also like:
Never Have I Ever (Netflix)
Superbad
Sex Education (Netflix)
Feminists Rate Films 
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