Booksmart

Two teens chase after a night out at a good party. This is in no way an original premise. But what is unusual is the quality of the performers, the script and the dedication and insight into how friendships, relationships and future plans feel constantly in flux during the late teen years. Beenie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever play two high academic achievers who realise just before graduation that they missed out on a social life while everyone around them was both living the high life AND getting into the college of their choice – and determine to make it to one last bash before they graduate. Of course there are distractions and scene stealing cameos, of course they learn a couple of life lessons along the way, and of course the things they sought are not necessarily the things they come away with. But a combination of emotional truth and high farce, of gross-outs and heart, ensures that this works better than it has any right to. There is probably one minor subplot too many that hasn’t been fully thought through, but there’s mostly enough charm and laughs in here to make sure this is an enjoyable experience.