This one’s a joy. Not so far removed from Lady Bird and Superbad but a little American Pie. Oddly reminiscent of Luca Guadagnino’s work too. Whichever way, Booksmart sets out a tremendously self-assured debut for actor turned director Olivia Wilde. Naturally, much about the project’s influences promised an indie affair – in the vogue of Greta Gerwig’s own debut – but such was in contrast to the billing of Will Ferrell and Adam McKay as producers. In execution, Booksmart is gloriously equidistant to either pole. It is an eloquently brash and bitingly silly coming of age comedy at home on the fine divide between nostalgic and contemporary atmospheres.
Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson gleam diamond bright in this Dirty Rotten remake from In the Loop star Chris Addison. Sure, it’s not as sharp as the discerning critic might hope – it’s certainly not nearly as novel – but charisma wins out. A few belly laughs would have gone a long way towards sealing a longer-lasting deal and yet The Hustle is winning enough to steal its fair share of chuckles. Those after wit and comment should steer clear or reap their just deserts – only those who should know better will leave feeling conned.
If you’re a hungry creative, there’s nothing quite like Bo Burnham’s IMDb page to serve you a good slice of humble pie with a side of incentive. The things this talented polymath has accomplished in his young career would coax out the green-eyed monster in the best of us. The YouTube alum has already run the gamut of entertainment since he burst onto the scene in 2006, impressing audiences with various creations. His wonderfully empathetic debut feature, Sundance favourite Eighth Grade, heralds a quantum leap for Burnham and the dawn of an entirely new era in teen cinema.
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