Every generation has their coming of age stories. Superbad, American Pie, Can’t Hardly Wait, The Breakfast Club, and American Graffiti are a few that speak to their respective generations. Booksmart is the next in line for the current generation ready to embark into the world. With myself falling in between Gen X and Millennials Booksmart didn’t speak to me, however it was still enjoyable. The awkwardness and pressures of a very confusing time of life is still relatable to everyone in context, but the details of Booksmart are truly meant for Generation Z. The tone is relatable to all while its characters and situations speak to a generation that has grown up with tablets, Uber, and a conscious effort for inclusion.

The casting of Booksmart is great. To compile a cast with such great young comedic acting must of been a challenge that they truly accepted and conquered. Kaitlyn Dever (Amy) and Beanie Feldstein (Molly) play two best friends struggling with the thoughts of regrets on the night before their high school graduation. Sound familiar? These two do a great job of giving a unique performance and perspective on a commonly used plot in teen films. Their on screen chemistry would lead you to believe that they have known each other for years and this is their real relationship. They take great comedic writing and do it the utmost justice with their performances. There are many minor roles that make this movie fun. It’s hard to favor one over another, but the cast crafts unique characters that reflect this current generation well. There are some familiar adult faces in Booksmart. Jessica Williams (Miss Fine), Lisa Kudrow (Charmaine), Will Forte (Doug), and Jason Sudeikis (Principle Brown) are to name a few. At no point do they overshadow any of the great performances by a group of well chosen youthful actors.

Olivia Wilde does a pretty good job directing this film. There were some scenes that didn’t work so well with the flow of the movie but never took it too far off track. What she did do well was capture a new youthful culture using a theme many previous generations have done before her. Also by taking the traditionally male leads and making them female, one even being a lesbian, opens Booksmart up to original scenarios and comedy that previous renditions could not capture. A movie about young adults, made for young adults, families should awkwardly see this together (or separately) as it may create some bridges of understanding. The least it will do is garner some good laughs no matter what generation you fall in (as long as you know how to work a smart phone and know how to use email).

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