Movie: Bottoms
Production Companies: Orion Pictures
Director: Emma Seligman
Producers: Elizabeth Banks, Alison Small, Max Handelman
Scriptwriters: Emma Seligman, Rachel Sennott
Main Cast: Rachel Sennott, Ayo Edebiri, Ruby Cruz, Havana Rose Liu, Kaia Gerber
Release Date: 3rd November 2023
Running Time: 91 minutes
Certificate: 15
Introduction: This razor sharp sex comedy co written by main star Rachel Sennott will leave you howling from beginning to end in one of the best comedies of the year.
Synopsis: PJ and Josie, two unpopular gay best friends in high school, decide to rebel against the violent football players by starting their own female fight club in order to fight back against them as while as using the club as a means of trying to have sex before graduation.
Analysis: What we have here can be simply summarised as being, not only this years ‘Booksmart’, but ‘Booksmart’ meets ‘Superbad’. ‘Bottoms’ has sharp, hilarious writing that deliberately plays with every American high school film ever, as well as cleverly dealing with teenage anxiety and worries. The whole thing plays out with deliberate ridiculousness and absurdity, that it relishes and enjoys toying around with. Yet another title that this could easily be compared to is ‘Not Another Teen Movie’ but it does not share it’s spoof mentality or in fact it’s crude nature. This has it’s moments of gross out comedy, but not to the extent of that film.
Given the fact that the whole film is of course a mickey take on David Fincher’s ‘Fight Club’, there is an inevitable gag that is made by one character at one point. ‘I love David Fincher’ someone says, bit of an eye rolling moment but it was coming. Given the fact this is about a fight club, the film does end up getting surprisingly violent and graphic, quite literally pulling no punches, and it does go for it, so credit where credit is due. As I keep alluding to, the humour is so on point, some very poignant and political jokes are made and they all work. Nothing feels forced upon or out of place. In the end, we have been treated to some genuinely clever and funny comedies this year and this is by no means an exception. Witty, intelligent and laugh- out loud enjoyable from start to finish.
In cinemas now.
Overall Rating: 8.5 / 10 – Excellent
Target Audience: 15+
Content Warning: strong sex references, bloody violence, very strong language
Recommendation: Yes
