Booksmart • The Next Reel

“I’m a golden starfish!”Olivia Wilde has long been working as an actress before stepping her foot into directing. She made a few short films and music videos, then locked her sights on the Blacklist script Booksmart by Emily Halpern & Sarah Haskins. She had screenwriter Katie Silberman rework the script (that Susanna Fogel had already changed ) into something that painted the vision she was looking for, and off she went. The film, while not a runaway success that it should’ve been, still did well for itself and set Wilde up as a new director with a strong voice. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we conclude our Coming of Age Debuts series with Wilde’s 2019 film Booksmart.We’re big fans of Booksmart.While we graduated from high school a few years (read decades) before this film takes place, it’s impossible not to notice all the same personalities and groups. What makes these characters stand out so well? And how much do we identify with our two protagonists Molly and Amy (played brilliantly by Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever)?The adults are interesting characters in the film, but what does it say that the one with the most time spent is Miss Fine? It’s fitting, considering her scenes together with our protags. And what do we learn about the complexities of people in general as we spend time with Jared, Annabelle, and Gigi?The film stands as vibrant and alive. Wilde smartly uses slow motion in a few spots. How do those moments stand out and why those spots?All in all, this may be the highlight of an absolutely brilliant series. We love it and hope you do too. Check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins!Join the conversation with movie lovers from around the world on The Next Reel’s Discord channel!Film SundriesLearn more about supporting The Next Reel Film Podcast through your own membership.Watch this on Apple or find other places at JustWatchScript TranscriptTheatrical trailerPoster artworkFlickchartLetterboxdSupport The Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Become a member for just $5/month or $55/yearJoin our Discord community of movie loversThe Next Reel Family of Film Podcasts:Cinema Scope: Bridging Genres, Subgenres, and MovementsThe Film BoardMovies We LikeThe Next Reel Film PodcastSitting in the DarkConnect With Us:Main Site: WebMovie Platforms: Letterboxd | FlickchartSocial Media: Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Bluesky | YouTube | PinterestYour Hosts: Andy | PeteShop & Stream:Merch Store: Apparel, stickers, mugs & moreWatch Page: Buy/rent films we've discussedOriginals: Source material from our episodesSpecial offers: Letterboxd Pro/Patron discount | Audible