Bottoms

Bottoms tells the story of two friend deeply in love with the school's top cheerleader. During a chance meeting, they discovered how they were horribly treated by their boyfriends. With the increasing reports of attacks on woman, they hatched a plan to help their crushed or actually just have loving hugs with them by opening up a 'Fight Club'-inspired self-defense club.

I would say that I have some reservations with Bottoms BUT I think the clearest thing about this is that Seligman is a great fundamental director.

I think the script for this could definitely hit harder. The lesbian elements, and the crassness and quotability, for a film like this can definitely been higher. The overall flow of the story and the commentary is somewhat haphazard BUT definitely leans on that its self serving and can be annoying - which is rare for modern films like this. Who tends to glorify it for the sake of cookie points. The allotment of improv somewhat disrupts whatever it is trying to go for at times.

Acting-wise, no one is really noteworthy. Senott and Ayo were fine. They are acting but did not elevate the material particularly. Very disappointed with Galitzine, especially since he is one hit away from stardom. His role here is a foil BUT can definitely amped up in Austin Abrams in Do Revenge kind of way. He just rested in pretty, which was disappointing.

BUT, I see a director who has a vision in what product she wants to tell. Its an imperfect film but I think Seligman can course herself into something big if she turned up the writing.

Recommended. Will definitely seek Shiva Baby.

As "Bottoms" (2023 release; 92 min.) opens, we are introduced to BFFs PJ (who has a crush on cheerleader Brittany) and Josie (who has a crush on cheerleader Isabel). After a "back to school" event, PJ and Josie decide to start a self-defense club, and Brittany and Isabel are among the girls joining the club...

Couple of comments: this is the second feature-length of writer-director Emma Seligman ("Shiva Baby"). Seligman co-wrote the script with Rachel Sennott who plays PJ. Elizabeth Banks is one of the movie's producers. The plot as it is is purposefully over the top and frankly meaningless. It just creates the excuse, as if one is needed, for zippy dialogue and satire of just about everything. I knew all of this beforehand. What I expected was a bunch of funny situations peppered with zany jokes. What I actually experience was something quite different. A smile here and there, but I couldn't really get into it, sorry. I fully realize that as a straight male I am not the intended target audience but bottom line is that funny is funny, no matter what, and this wasn't really it. This is of course a very subjective take but I can only convey what I experienced.

"Bottoms" premiered at the SXSW Festival in March, and was rolled out nationwide in theaters this Labor Day weekend. The Friday early evening screening where I saw this at my local arthouse theater here in Cincinnati was attended okay (about 10 people). For what it's worth, "Bottoms" is currently rated 95% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. If you are in the mood for a rowdy HS comedy, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

I really can't score this movie any lower than a nine. Not only was it my style of humor, it was able to stay entertaining all the way to the end. No third act deflation! And on top of being funny for the entire runtime, I enjoyed the story. I actually thought it had a plot that drew me in and gave me a highly satisfying resolution. I appreciated the fact that there were so many ridiculous details that it was almost like this movie was set in an alternate universe. For me, it kept the balance exactly right. Wild, but with some grounded elements to keep me caring about the characters. I think this could become one of my favorite comedies of all time. I don't know how many other people I would show it to, because I think the humor was extremely subjective, but I treasured it.

This movie is an acquired taste. At first, I thought it was just silly. Then I thought it was extremely silly. Eventually I laughed my butt off. There is no scene that they don't take over the top. Whether they are mocking teen movies or parodying David Fincher or using Marshawn Lynch to comment on feminism, the entire cast completely goes for it. The humor and raunchiness are extreme, but my family laughed so much that I think we missed 25% of the punchlines. Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott absolutely kill this one (no pun intended).

PSA - Just be careful watching this one with your parents or children. It is rated R for a reason.

People were hyping this movie up like it was the second coming of Brian. But not only did it fail to evoke any response mildly resembling a laugh, it in fact made me wonder what people even consider to be funny these days.

It's over-the-top satire, sure, I get that, and I even get what this movie tries to poke fun at, but I just found myself being unable to enjoy or even connect with this particular style of annoying teenage humour. I don't know if this is a generational thing or a cultural thing... it could be both. All I know is that it just wasn't for me.

I don't think I'll ever recommend this to anyone, but neither would I recommend against it. Because humour is extremely subjective, and maybe this might be the funniest movie you'd have seen.