Olivia Wilde‘s directorial debutBooksmartis making a splash with critics — and celebrities.
The film made less than $10 million in its opening weekend but stars such asTaylor Swift,Ryan ReynoldsandNatalie Portmanare encouraging fans to see it in theaters.Booksmartis competing with Disney’sAladdin, which has currently earned $233 million worldwide and $112 million at the U.S. box office.
Starring Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever, the film revolves around two senior high school students who make a pact to cram four years of fun into one night.
Swift, 29, reposted a video of actress Diana Silvers who stars in the film on her Instagram Story, writing, “JUST BOUGHT TICKETS!! Guys go see Booksmart cause in this house we support @oliviawilde.”
She added, “Congrats to @dianasilverss @beaniefeldstein @kaitlyndever and the rest of the cast on the INCREDIBLE reviews!!!”
Taylor Swift instagram story May 28, 2019
Reynolds, 42,raved about the film, tweeting, “BOOKSMART. Don’t walk, RUN to see this. Today and all summer. Holy s—.”
Mindy Kaling tweeted, “I have seen it once [and] I’m gonna go again this weekend! That’s how much I love this hilarious, poignant movie! Come see #booksmart with me!”
Seth MacFarlanealso tweeted, “Hey comedy lovers— It’s really f— hard to direct a great comedy, and@oliviawildedid it. So do yourself a favor and go see@booksmarttoday. Like, tonight. Like, go see it instead of that other movie you were planning on seeing. I saw it and laughed, and I hate everything.”
Brian Friedman/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Michael Loccisano/Getty
Film critic Peter Debruge ofVarietycame out of the screening with high praise for the film, saying, “Not sinceSuperbadhas a high school comedy so perfectly nailed how exhilarating it feels to act out at that age, capturing the thrill of making a series of potentially irreversible mistakes with the person who’s always been there for you.”
In an interview withVariety,Wilde discussed her goals in directing the film, stating, “I really wanted to direct a film for younger people to be kind of a generational anthem.”
She added, “Turns out, when you really open the doors and look at all the talent, you get a really representative cast.”
The film also starsLisa Kudrow,Billie Lourd, Will Forte and Wilde’s longtime partnerJason Sudeikis.
Booksmartis now in theaters.
source: people.com
