"Booksmart"

This sleeper hit from last summer was one of those films which came and went but was part of a mental list to see if I had the chance.  Sitting at home on day 12 of the shutdown -- I had the chance.  Somewhat less deep than I expected I came around to liking it but wasn't a fan from the outset.  Of the two female leads, Beanie Feldstein's dominant character Molly is immediately unlikeable.  She isn't just an unpopular nerd, she is an elitist who looks down on almost everyone around her.  The film isn't just a coming-of-age tale.  For Molly this is a "wake up and smell the roses" tale.  It was that angle, and the path of fellow traveler Amy (Kaitlyn Dever's character) which finally had me buy into this understandably awkward story.  Most of the film takes place in a 24 hour period -- from the last day of school to graduation.  It's a good call.  That 24 hour period is often one of the most powerful and unforgettable times in the life of young people, much like the moments when baby birds are ejected from the safety of their nests.  While I didn't love the "Bridesmaids" level gross-out humor the script is solid and provides a good number of laughs.  Directed by Olivia Wilde there is also a decent awareness of how girls think.  Always nice to see a woman director when it comes to female lives.  Worth a look but a tad lighter and sillier than you might think.