After the triumphant debut with “Shiva Baby,” director Emma Seligman teams up once again with Rachel Sennott to deliver a groundbreaking comedy, “Bottoms”. This film traces the wild journey of lesbian best friends, PJ (Rachel Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri), as they accidentally devise a scheme to skyrocket their popularity in high school and impress their respective crushes.
A Crazy Quest for Popularity
PJ sets her sights on Brittany (Kaia Gerber), while Josie yearns for the affection of Isabel (Havana Rose Liu), who’s tangled in a complicated relationship with school heartthrob Jeff (Nicholas Galitzine). Thrown into the mix are Jeff’s fiercely loyal sidekick, Tim (Miles Fowler), and an unlikely alliance with fellow student Hazel (Ruby Cruz) and teacher Mr. G (Marshawn Lynch) as they navigate the challenges of adolescence. Together, they embark on an ambitious mission: launching a fight club-cum-self-defense class, despite being woefully underqualified.
An Unconventional High School World
Crafted by Seligman and Sennott, “Bottoms” revels in its chaos. It introduces audiences to an exaggerated high school universe, where the drama is deliberately overblown. Through the lens of cinematographer Maria Rusche, the school environment is depicted as a somber space that oppresses those not on the social ladder’s top rung. And amidst all this, the teacher remains blissfully detached, more engrossed in his magazines than his students’ antics. This film doesn’t shy away from absurdities – from caged wrestlers to footballers in perpetual uniform.
Satire and Soundtracks
Punctuating the story are some unforgettable scenes, such as PJ’s tongue-in-cheek nod to feminism and Josie’s exaggerated tales of a summer in juvenile detention. Not to be missed is the film’s memorable soundtrack, highlighted by a humorous rendition of Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and contemporary hits from Leo Birenberg and Charli XCX.
A Moment of Gravity
Amid the rollicking humor, “Bottoms” briefly switches gears, touching upon grave themes of assault and the often inadequate response of law enforcement. This brief interlude, while fleeting, serves as a poignant reminder of the harrowing experiences young women endure.
Reimagining High School Films
In essence, “Bottoms” serves as a satirical commentary on typical high school movies – where actors seemingly age in dog years and every tale ends in a life lesson. Here, PJ and Josie navigate their teen years with an array of bruises and scars, but the film’s heart lies in their unabashed authenticity. They’re not waiting for a makeover – they’re taking control of their narrative. It’s clear that Seligman and Sennott relish in subverting the norm, a sentiment echoed in the film’s entertaining end credits.
“Bottoms” is a delightful romp through high school chaos, where cliches are turned on their heads and the protagonists unabashedly own their quirks.
