Summer of 69

I loved Chloe for this role and I know Sam was hired to be awkward but it's beyond uncomfortable that I never even thought about rooting for her! She is just not enjoyable to watch. The movie has a great idea behind it but I think too much of the casting tried or even accomplished in some instances very stereotypical casting decisions. I get it that it's a first go round for first time director, Bell, but having a MFA myself in directing I know you want to cast your friends to show others how amazing they are, you tend to lose something in the final product, and that's what it clear looks like here.

A geeky, inexperienced, and not-so-confident girl hires a stripper to coach her on how to land a guy by performing "69".

The sort of film that rarely works on paper, but delivers in execution thanks to its sincere tone and the charm of its leading actresses! With a great budding friendship between a shy (but quite determined) teen and her bold, quick-witted and sassy mentor. Their dynamic is sweet, funny, and easily the highlight of the movie.

That said.. the film doesn't leave much of a lasting impression. No standout moments that demand a rewatch, subplots that come off as checklist items to fill in space (imagination "problems", the mascot character, highschool reunion, etc) rather than meaningful additions, a third act that stumbles and drags its feet.. With one side of its conclusion that doesn't satisfy, and instead feels rushed and undercooked.

Still, despite its flaws, the movie remains enjoyable and lightheartedly-endearing in a way that makes it easy to forgive some of its crappier moments! And the leads are very good on their roles.

One of those films that I suspect suffers from not having an obvious niche. It's a classic coming of age / sex comedy, but firmly aimed at girls not boys and with an adult sensibility (adult in the sense of grown up, not a euphemism for porn).

It's a much better film than its rating suggests. The leads are superb and superbly well cast. Some of the side characters are a bit too two dimensional, but no more than lots of films with far bigger budgets. The writing is sharp, with the right dose of raunch without going over the top. It is also well acted.

It also avoids the modern tick box tropes (one person of colour: tick; one person who is non-binary: tick; etc).

I was really skeptical coming into this, being the ALPHA I think I am. You know, the red meat, growling, snarling Wolf. I'd chase down overly-showy, and timid women like this. I'm an ANIMAL! They WILL succumb to my will!

But then, my favorite funny person, from that limp-waisted, liberal SNL decides to star in it, and coax me into believing that I (her number 1fan [thanks, Annie Wilkes]) was going to see my dream dance around nekkid.

I sat through one hour and forty minutes, and what the .... Blank ... where were the boobies (No this isn't a size joke. Her character was a stripper, and I've been to enough bachelor parties to know I should see boobies!)

What, you think you can get away with not showing boobies because you make us laugh from the belly in a super identifiable way?

Lots of snark. Loved the movie, loved the cameos, Fibeman continues to be my fave SNL cast member, and she showed she is ready for next, I think.

8/10 - great step into the next level for Fineman. I was skeptical at first, but she brought everything together at the end and I was sold and invested in her arc. The high school girl gave me shades of the 8th grade in-kids, Mitch Kramer and Sabrina Davis, from Dazed and Confused. Solid effort, and it made me laugh out loud, literally.

Actress Jillian Bell makes her directorial debut with the teen comedy about friendship and unbridled sex in a film whose strength lies in its openness and authenticity.

Starring Chloe Fineman and Sam Morelos, this comedy takes us on a journey about unbridled sexual freedom and two characters who become soulmates in a humorous yet innocent way. This comedy has its amusing moments and ultimately delivers a satisfying result that can be enjoyed without any major hang-ups. A risky coming-of-age film that manages to contain ironic moments and rather dark humor that make it an absolute pleasure to watch, it's a hilarious homage to classic teen cinema, presented through the female gaze in a rather interesting directorial debut that deserves to be watched.

It's a journey through a film that doesn't discover anything new; it simply strives to place the right pieces at the right moments, resulting in a rather entertaining film. It showcases the kind of sweet, incredible friendships that make teen comedies memorable. When the credits roll, we're left with the feeling that a completely natural friendship has been forged between the characters and the audience, a sign that the journey was quite enjoyable and that we had a good time.

It's not perfect, it won't be for everyone, and the film is aware of that, but if you give it a chance, it will reward you with funny moments and two characters whose crazy antics make you laugh a lot, especially Morelos, who stands out as a budding star worth keeping an eye on.