Wednesday, 31 January 2024

VOD: Bottoms (dir: Emma Seligman, 2023)

"I do NOT talk to girls in overalls!"

Almost up there with Booksmart but far more goofy, this cult US hit comedy proves to be a very funny take on the standard high school movie, as a pair of put-upon girls (the self-labelled 'ugly, untalented gays' at the bottom of the social heap) start a self-defence group/Fight Club that turns into something more against the background of an upcoming football grudge match.  The rapid-fire dialogue is sparky, smart and fearless in not only puncturing stereotypes but also creating genuine characters, but the film also has a strong human and emotional core that takes it beyond the surface comedy not just for the characters but for what it reveals about female empowerment and toxic masculinity.  Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri make an energetic and enjoyable lead pairing as the underdog best friends, and Nicholas Galitzine is fun as the over-the-top self-absorbed football team captain.  To its credit, it is always good when a comedy film like this is genuinely funny, and even more so when it actually says something as well.


 

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