Bottoms

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.

Now here's a high school, that you'd love to go to, as anything goes - nothing's taboo, where two single girls, who aren't looking for pearls, start a club to find love, that gets quite misconstrued. There is punching and kicking, a shove with a push, the dialogues quite racy and might make you blush (if you're of a certain age and demographic), a battle of sexes, as pairs become exes, the romance is there, but it just isn't mush. Growing up can be tough if you're different from others, once being a woman kept you under the covers, now the rules of engagement, don't lead to enragement, and a progressive world - just will not be smothered.

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.

Bottoms

This teen comedy sees two high schoolers begin a fight club to be in close proximity with the cheerleaders they're interested in, and ultimately date them.

Bottoms is different from most teen comedies, this flick is raunchy, bloody, violent and dripping in satire. But for how over-the-top Bottoms becomes, it isn't funny, or not as funny as it should be, which is especially sad because the trailer promised a swell time. The zany jokes that a movie like this should have are missing; the comical moments here can't provide more than a smile.

The cast brought the best they could to this project, and most of the characters are distinct.

Themes of sexuality, friendship, women empowerment and identity are employed here.

Bottoms is a fresh idea, and would have worked with a funnier script.

6/10.

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.