I've been meaning to get around to A Vigilante from Olivia Wilde for a while now, but time has passed and I haven’t yet. It had faded from my thoughts, and I probably would have forgotten about it entirely if not for having recently seen Booksmart, which arrived very late in my country. While I'm generally not drawn to young-adult movies set in high school that focus on coming of age, some films I’ve really enjoyed over the last few years actually fall into that category—like Lady Bird and The Edge of Seventeen. It makes me wonder why these smaller-budget productions resonate with me more than others. It seems like it can't be a coincidence that the directors behind these movies are either exceptionally talented or show real promise. Plus, all of them were directed by women and tell stories centered on teenage characters who are female. Now, before anyone jumps to conclusions: this isn’t about the films being good *because* they were made by women. The story itself isn't more engaging simply because the main characters are women. They work so well because the filmmakers have a clear understanding of how to use a camera and tell a compelling story, and feature excellent actors… it just happens that these people are all women. I don’t participate in any movements or groups, nor am I interested in politics. I dislike when reviews are influenced by outside factors, as that's unfair to the movie itself. That being said, I do believe these films benefit from having women involved in producing, directing, writing, and acting. Booksmart is laugh-out-loud funny while also feeling incredibly realistic. Wilde manages the tone very well, moving smoothly through the plot with few noticeable missteps. Although, there are moments where the story feels a bit stretched out due to some subplots that don’t add much beyond being somewhat exaggerated. Still, the central storyline remains clear. Amy and Molly carry the script forward through both entertaining and surprisingly dramatic scenes. Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever give truly outstanding performances! I can't recall seeing such a great pairing of lead actors, especially among younger performers. Their chemistry is obvious, and it’s clear that some moments were likely improvised. They also deliver one of the most memorable verbal confrontations I’ve ever seen—a single, unbroken shot with both actresses giving their all. The acting is superb, and the filmmaking is top-notch. With these two actresses at the forefront, every scene feels elevated. While the comedic parts are amusing, the romantic drama surrounding them is handled in a very genuine way. Credit goes to all of the screenwriters who worked on the project. I hope to see Olivia Wilde direct more films; she has a distinct style and something important to say, so I'm eager for her future work. Booksmart conveys heartfelt messages that will likely connect with audiences worldwide, regardless of age or gender. It does rely on some familiar tropes from the genre—like doubting your best friend even when you know they’re right—but it’s the subversion of stereotypes (not everyone is as they appear) that ultimately shines through. Overall, Olivia Wilde has earned a place among the directors to watch in the coming years. Booksmart is a welcome addition to the coming-of-age genre, featuring two remarkable protagonists. Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever could become major stars if they continue to deliver performances of this caliber. With a strong supporting cast as well, Wilde portrays both the fun and the genuine struggles that teenagers experience when graduating high school, without holding back. It’s a story driven by its characters, and Amy and Molly are two people from whom we can all learn something. Despite still containing some genre clichés and a few underdeveloped subplots, it's one of the best movies in the genre. Definitely worth watching! Rating: B+

Source on TMDB