Read Negative User Reviews for Booksmart

1

CanadianMikeTVMay 30, 2019

This movie is just about pushing terrible political point of views. Just a sad let down.

20 of 37 users found this helpful2017

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0

kszwedaMay 30, 2019

Very, very weak movie. Don't bother yourself. Cheap rip off of the Superbad.

22 of 41 users found this helpful2219

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1

GreatMartinMay 28, 2019

Every time I walk into a movie I have high expectations and every time I see a boring, stupid 'comedy' and don't even laugh once, the first thing I ask myself is "Why didn't I walk out?" and the second thing I do is tell myself "At least IEvery time I walk into a movie I have high expectations and every time I see a boring, stupid 'comedy' and don't even laugh once, the first thing I ask myself is "Why didn't I walk out?" and the second thing I do is tell myself "At least I won't see anything worse the rest of the year!"

Sadly I didn't walk out of "Booksmart" and I hope it is the worst movie I will see this year! I really have nothing positive to say about the cast except to ask if today's teens are really this vulgar, this dumb or is it the screenplay by 4 writers and the director showing them to be this way?

The worst part--and that is saying a lot--is the cringe-worthy performance and lines by Lisa Kudrow as a parent. We won't even talk about the 'father'!

Trying to be positive--and not understanding why-- Meta Critic had a 84% rating by critics and 5.6 out of 10 by the audience.

Please, please if you see it let me know what YOU think of "Booksmart" though you would be smart not to go!

synopsis

The story follows Dever and Feldstein's characters, two academic superstars and best friends who, on the eve of their high school graduation, suddenly realize that they should have worked less and played more. Determined never to fall short of their peers, the girls set out on a mission to cram four years of fun into one night.… Expand

18 of 37 users found this helpful1819

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insicknessMay 29, 2019

This movie is unwatchable, irritating garbage. I had to stop watching after 10 minutes. It was making my eyes bleed. It thinks it's being clever and hip but there is no substance.

16 of 33 users found this helpful1617

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1

wingnutzMay 26, 2019

After seeing the very high critic scores, I was expecting to like, and perhaps love, this movie. I love Olivia Wilde, especially her performance in Drinking Buddies. I was really hopeful about her directorial debut. This comedy is notAfter seeing the very high critic scores, I was expecting to like, and perhaps love, this movie. I love Olivia Wilde, especially her performance in Drinking Buddies. I was really hopeful about her directorial debut. This comedy is not funny. There is no timing, no flow. The base premise, that these nerds want to party when they realize everyone else in their high school also got into amazing colleges while partying and screwing off, is silly, of course. But the flimsiness of it, especially because of no follow up, was sad. We kept waiting to laugh, but every performance was so stilted and every character so stereotyped (the over-the-top, effeminate gay theater boys, come on), we chuckled mildly once. After an hour, we walked out. We don't do that. It also made me think it may be a generational thing. But I really don't think so. We love these coming-of-age stories, from Superbad, American Pie, Clueless, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, even American Graffiti. This was just unfunny and bad.

I hope Ms. Wilde gets another shot at directing. But I really hope these ridiculous critic reviews don;t go to her head. Look at the mixed viewer reviews. When critic/viewer reviews are so misaligned, something is not right… Expand

16 of 35 users found this helpful1619

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2

dontjimmymejulzMay 25, 2019

An annoying fat girl and a lesbian attend Happy, Happy Rainbow High School where everyone is tolerant of everything and everyone and a good 60% of the school's population are gay or transgender or a non-binary something or other. Anyway, teenAn annoying fat girl and a lesbian attend Happy, Happy Rainbow High School where everyone is tolerant of everything and everyone and a good 60% of the school's population are gay or transgender or a non-binary something or other. Anyway, teen stuff happens and none of it's particularly funny or original and by the end of it I just wanted to watch 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' again.… Expand

28 of 65 users found this helpful2837

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OlivierPielMay 24, 2019

Trivial. Self-absorbed. Verbose. Superficial. And yet, this waste of film gets 84% critic score with a "must see"label. How presumptuous!
The problem is not its promotion of lesbianism per se. It's just that this film is only about the navelTrivial. Self-absorbed. Verbose. Superficial. And yet, this waste of film gets 84% critic score with a "must see"label. How presumptuous!
The problem is not its promotion of lesbianism per se. It's just that this film is only about the navel gazing of two teenagers. You don't need to make a movie to "send a message": You write an essay. This has ZERO CINEMATOGRAPHIC VALUE.
America is truly sinking right and now left.… Expand

26 of 70 users found this helpful2644

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3

witriakerMay 21, 2021

It is like a bland version of Superbad. Is not awful, the leads act very well, but it plays things safe. When you try so hard not to offend anyone with your comedy, is hard to be funny, so the movie falls flat ultimately

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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3

goooli77Mar 6, 2021

You think you are watching a movie that makes you laugh, live, love like other high school movies but sorry it won't. Not really so catchy and actually all the points are for Kaitlyn Dever and her extraordinary charm. She's great. I mean herYou think you are watching a movie that makes you laugh, live, love like other high school movies but sorry it won't. Not really so catchy and actually all the points are for Kaitlyn Dever and her extraordinary charm. She's great. I mean her score is 10/10 but other features of the movie should be considered too. So I guess watch it if you are also attracted to her then you won't blame the time you put for it :))… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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RosendahlAug 26, 2022

Bottom line is that this is not a good story. Comedy? Well not even close. The actors are good but that does not make a movie good. This movie should not have been categorized as a comedy.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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1

Q8MarrongGlaceAug 16, 2019

Thank GOD I didn't pay for this movie to watch it , Its very bad that I cannot stand how people would actually like it , I am aware people have different taste but I am also aware that not all positive FB are authentic some have to be paidThank GOD I didn't pay for this movie to watch it , Its very bad that I cannot stand how people would actually like it , I am aware people have different taste but I am also aware that not all positive FB are authentic some have to be paid for or people doing it as a favor as most messed up movies review lately I got fooled by high rating so many times because of that kind of people not helping out others and kept messing around with fake rating in purpose !!… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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0

FlipjeFeb 26, 2020

This is truly an awful film. I can only imagine the writers concocting this story with one message in mind: make these characters quirky and also one dimensional. 'Quirky' is all they have going for them which makes them boring. Sure, thereThis is truly an awful film. I can only imagine the writers concocting this story with one message in mind: make these characters quirky and also one dimensional. 'Quirky' is all they have going for them which makes them boring. Sure, there are messages of female empowerment yet it does nothing to propel a meaningful story. Tell a story. Come on. Here, each character broadcasts an over the top persona that is difficult to relate to. Initially, I liked that the one girl had a crush on a skater girl. Yet, we know nothing about her within the first forty minutes of the film. All we know of these highly educated outsiders is they are outsiders. That's it. Each scene only fosters a certain stereotype that is exagerated to the point of dullness. Slut girl acts like a slut. Dumb guy acts dumb. Rich kid acts rich. And the two friends are just two friends who find out the people they looked down on are actually goinst to prestigious schools. Wow, twist... So what is their motivation? To party. That's it? That's it. The whole wants vs. needs of screenplay writing 101 does not even happen here. They want to prove to people they don't care about that they can party as well. I mean, if the beginning of the film sets these two up as individuals who could care less about what others think of them, why would this matter? Their only character trait is they are indifferent to the opinions of others. And that is shattered because the movie needs to happen. These are screenplay ideas running around as supposed characters and nothing else. And on their journey they meet other purposelessy strange characters. There have been wonderful female friendship films with fleshed-out, wonderful and quirky characters. Think Romy and Michele's High School Reunion. If you want female empowerment and self-awareness, look no further than the seminal Thelma and Louise. I have loved three seasons of Glow on Netflix mainly because the writers care to build on the dynamics and relationship of the characters. But I could not make it through this forced and over the top film. I didn't laugh. I rolled my eyes as it felt like this film had the concept of something interesting and fun without actually following through on it.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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1

FilmladyJun 1, 2019

Ok, did Annapurna pay people to write good reviews about this film or am I in a twighlight zone where potty humor and over the top charecterizations of real humans is now the norm. This movie was bad in so many ways I don't know where toOk, did Annapurna pay people to write good reviews about this film or am I in a twighlight zone where potty humor and over the top charecterizations of real humans is now the norm. This movie was bad in so many ways I don't know where to begin.
I suppose I should be supporting this film cause of the lack of female driven stories and women directors getting their shot in the industry. But I just can't get behind blatantly bad material with obvious jokes and and wackadoodle cliche charecters. Movies like Lady Bird we're funny, compelling, and original. This is what you get when American Pie and not another teen movie had a baby in 2019.… Expand

14 of 26 users found this helpful1412

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0

LamontRahadJenkJun 29, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Felt very forced. Comedy can never have someone plugged in to check a woke box, and this was no different. Comedy is organic. Comedy is real. Woke is the antithesis of Joke.… Expand

7 of 13 users found this helpful76

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0

futurescrnwrtrJun 14, 2019

I hate this movie. If there was a number lower than 0, I would have chosen that instead. Yuck.

9 of 17 users found this helpful98

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1

JOHN1941May 31, 2019

Have lost confidence in the pro reviewers because of this poor excuse for a teen story. We left after 30 minutes - I went back the next day to finish (thank you Mr. Manager) the film and it went further down the drain. If this is an accurateHave lost confidence in the pro reviewers because of this poor excuse for a teen story. We left after 30 minutes - I went back the next day to finish (thank you Mr. Manager) the film and it went further down the drain. If this is an accurate view of our high school kids today, we are in trouble. I do not think it is accurate from what I see in schools. The two girls even look embarrassed using the f word so much. Add lousy camera work, and you get a 1 because the theater was comfortable, though the story could have been worthy of the effort. I suggest rating films by the number of f words from now on.… Expand

14 of 27 users found this helpful1413

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3

ScraperJun 7, 2019

Booksmart is a clinic in overacting to prop up cliched material instead of inventing something new. Nearly the entire supporting cast was a cringe-worthy caricature that blared the stereotype to obnoxious levels. I could not figure out whyBooksmart is a clinic in overacting to prop up cliched material instead of inventing something new. Nearly the entire supporting cast was a cringe-worthy caricature that blared the stereotype to obnoxious levels. I could not figure out why for all smart hype of the film did it take such predictable and worn-out paths using 2-3 braincell supporting characters. The filmmaker may have updated the time period but really offered nothing new in terms of coming-of-age insights. It's sad because I was kind of excited to see this.… Expand

9 of 18 users found this helpful99

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2

haridy666Jul 19, 2019

i really don t get why this film is championed by critics, the characters were annoying , plot is weak as well as non sensible and we have seen this type of film a million times. is it because it starring and directed by women ?
give me ai really don t get why this film is championed by critics, the characters were annoying , plot is weak as well as non sensible and we have seen this type of film a million times. is it because it starring and directed by women ?
give me a **** break… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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1

MillieMaNov 6, 2019

Just a lesser version of Superbad if we are all being honest. It's forgettable and is only gaining such praise due to today's push for feminist content.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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1

KdpannellMay 25, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a boring movie. It tries to hard to be funny. If you watch the previews you have just about seen the movie. It is that bad. I would give it a 0 but it would not let me.… Expand

13 of 27 users found this helpful1314

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3

imtheonlytyeJun 3, 2019

The movie isn't that good. It tries so hard to be superbad and it utterly fails at it. I love Jonah Hill, but his sister tries to be like him so bad it's obnoxious. It's unrealistic to the point that it isnt even funny. And i'm not even gonnaThe movie isn't that good. It tries so hard to be superbad and it utterly fails at it. I love Jonah Hill, but his sister tries to be like him so bad it's obnoxious. It's unrealistic to the point that it isnt even funny. And i'm not even gonna start with the excessive feminism, like just make a movie about girls if you fancy female led roles, but why do you have to constantly remind us and shove feminism down people's throats? Also, a lot of things that happened in this movie like literally made no sense.… Expand

12 of 25 users found this helpful1213

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3

netflicJun 3, 2019

This movie was supposed to be a female version of “Superbad” which I liked a lot.
To be honest, there are few comedies that I really enjoy. But they do exist.
“Booksmart” was not one of them. I could see artistic capabilities in protagonists’This movie was supposed to be a female version of “Superbad” which I liked a lot.
To be honest, there are few comedies that I really enjoy. But they do exist.
“Booksmart” was not one of them. I could see artistic capabilities in protagonists’ performances but for the most part they were over-acting. Besides, they should not play high schoolers. They looked early thirty to me. Jokes were not that funny, and directing, though quite energetic was mediocre at best.

Do not believe critics and do not waste your time and money.… Expand

9 of 19 users found this helpful910

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0

DOUGKJun 4, 2019

I was fooled by the good reviews, this is a terrible movie, terrible story, acting, ideas, etc. Why anyone would think otherwise is incredible. Nothing about this movie is worth seeing. I have not walked out of a movie in many years but II was fooled by the good reviews, this is a terrible movie, terrible story, acting, ideas, etc. Why anyone would think otherwise is incredible. Nothing about this movie is worth seeing. I have not walked out of a movie in many years but I walked out of this one and my wife stayed but said it only got worse.… Expand

8 of 18 users found this helpful810

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1

Sammiches25May 30, 2019

Overall, This movie is just a bad copy of Superbad. If you criticize this movie you're a bigot and disqualified from picking apart what's wrong with the film. I would rather go watch Superbad, Pineapple Express, The Hangover, Road Trip,Overall, This movie is just a bad copy of Superbad. If you criticize this movie you're a bigot and disqualified from picking apart what's wrong with the film. I would rather go watch Superbad, Pineapple Express, The Hangover, Road Trip, Freddie Got Fingered, or even The Room because at least they aren't piles of **** laced with social justice and PC humor. I strongly believe there will one day be a legendarily funny comedy directed by a woman with no cheesy humor, but that day has not yet come and that's why this film missed its projected box office revenue by nearly 5 million dollars. There's nothing fresh about this film. Only watch it if you're a Democrat or you spend most of your time trying to shove money down a garbage disposal.… Expand

9 of 22 users found this helpful913

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1

steveymeJul 25, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'm a liberal - happy with all the points of views projected. Was looking forward to seeing it. Slight problem - overacted and unfunny. Shame.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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3

JunkmanJul 9, 2019

This movie was terrible. Not enjoyable to watch, nor funny. It seemed as if they took the concept from, "Superbad" and tried to make it original with lame humor and cheap, tasteless jokes. The main characters lacked on screen chemistry asThis movie was terrible. Not enjoyable to watch, nor funny. It seemed as if they took the concept from, "Superbad" and tried to make it original with lame humor and cheap, tasteless jokes. The main characters lacked on screen chemistry as best friends, perhaps do to their acting ability, especially Beanie Feldstein. It's blatantly obvious why she got casted into this role; her brother is Jonah Hill. If you're not aware, Jonah Hill stared in "Superbad," where his character was the controling, self centered friend. It's not ironic that Jonah Hill's sister, Beanie, plays the exact same role/character in this movie.

I can't stress enough how much this movie is a rip off of, "Superbad, " even down to the plot. It's the same plot from the film, where two friend's friendship gets tested on a adventure trying to get to a party. In conclusion, this movie should be avoided. It's a Netflix film at best. It's a film you watch when you finish watching the full series of "the office," and you can't decide what else to watch. I can't understand why this film got high ratings. This film didn't do well at the box office, and it seemed to go under most people's radars. I'm certain why this movie got overlooked for one simple reason. It was trying too hard to be "Superbad."… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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TrunkerSep 5, 2022

I don't get it
Of course, as usual, the ten-star advance "user reviews" here are from people who "mysteriously" have never written a Metacritic review before--i.e. studio shills. But "Booksmart" has gotten great early reviews, and severalI don't get it
Of course, as usual, the ten-star advance "user reviews" here are from people who "mysteriously" have never written a Metacritic review before--i.e. studio shills. But "Booksmart" has gotten great early reviews, and several people I know who saw early screenings really did love it. So I went in fully expecting to enjoy it, and was dismayed when immediately--I mean, even before the opening title--the film was making "Funny, huh? Wasn't that funny?!?" noises despite nothing particularly funny happening. I'll give Olivia Wilde points for making a very colorful and energetic movie that might indeed convince a lot of people through sheer high spirits that it's a great comedy. But instead it felt just strenuous to me, trying too hard to cover the fact that the funny, clever, witty material wasn't actually there.

The premise is ridiculous--bookworm protagonists are horrified to discover that after all their sacrifices for the future, all the party-hearty types at their high school ALSO got into Ivy League schools. This would make sense if it took place in a wealthy community where everyone was a "legacy" student thanks for their family's donations. But the movie makes a point of singling out two characters as the only "truly rich" ones here. Those two, like every character save the two lead girls, are complete "SNL"-style caricatures. What's worse, they all also seem to be played by actors who are about a decade too old, once again apart from the two lead girls.

Even so, the premise and the casting and everything might have worked if "Booksmart" were an outright farce. But it seems to be aiming to be sorta-kinda "real," while the characters nonetheless behave like no teenagers past or present. Everything here is so over-amped and contrived for effect, yet the ingenious comedy situations and bright lines that approach might have served are nowhere to be found.

Like I said, I don't get it--it's a very lively and well-crafted movie that nonetheless felt completely phony and unfunny to be. It's not boring, but I have no idea what people who like it are responding to, beyond the fact that "'Superbad' for high school senior girls" is probably good enough for many. But I liked "Superbad" well enough, and this movie just did nothing for me. You could say it aims for a mix of "Superbad" and John Hughes, but those movies do a much better job turning recognizable teenage life into farce with some heart, and if Wilde intended something similar (I'm not sure what she intended, beyond punching across every scene as if she might never be allowed to direct again), she misses the mark. A for effort, C for derivative/uninspired content, and D for over-effortfully trying to hide that empty content. It's like a student paper with a very splashy cover but nothing original or thoughtful inside.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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FishonmikeNov 8, 2019

Terrible film, why this movie has universal acclaim is beyond me, don't waste your time. Complete garbage, and zero laughs.

3 of 11 users found this helpful38

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1

shmay123Oct 17, 2019

Absolutely awful and unfunny, this film's inexplicable good reviews were apparently driven by the superfluous overlay of leftist politics. If the girls in the film happened to be right wing conservatives, the film would receive the stinkerAbsolutely awful and unfunny, this film's inexplicable good reviews were apparently driven by the superfluous overlay of leftist politics. If the girls in the film happened to be right wing conservatives, the film would receive the stinker reviews it so richly deserves.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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1

RWilliDec 12, 2019

Two of the most unlikeable people in any highschool have a movie written about them. No wonder it bombed.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Ikereviews1May 24, 2023

The least funny movie ever made. All the jokes are not funny just a bunch of sex jokes and also is woke trash. There is nothing good about the movie. The critics fawned over this crap because why one of the girls is lesbian sorry but even lesThe least funny movie ever made. All the jokes are not funny just a bunch of sex jokes and also is woke trash. There is nothing good about the movie. The critics fawned over this crap because why one of the girls is lesbian sorry but even les porn is better than this whole movie. So many actually good comedies. This is absolute proof modern comedy is dead… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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