Director: Emma Seligman
Cast: Rachel Sennott, Ayo Edibiri, Ruby Cruz, Havana Rose Liu, Punkie Johnson, Miles Fowler, Nicholas Galitzine, Kaia Gerber
In this uproarious high-school comedy crafted by director Emma Seligman and featuring her co-writer Rachel Sennott, known for their previous collaboration on “Shiva Baby,” Bottoms unfolds the escapades of two feisty, gay best friends, PJ (played by Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri). Desperate for some romantic exploits, they embark on a hilariously offbeat journey, reminiscent of Olivia Wilde’s “Booksmart”, crossed with the vibes or early coming of age films like ‘Heathers’. I was lucky enough to catch this film at a media screening, and was at the top of my list of films I was anticipating for 2023. I must say it did not disappoint.
Bottoms follows PJ and Josie, social outsiders yearning for a status boost, set their sights on cheerleaders Isabel (Havana Rose Liu) and Brittany (Kaia Gerber), who appear exclusively interested in boys. A peculiar incident involving Isabel’s boyfriend Jeff (Nicholas Galitzine) and Josie’s car leads the duo to initiate a female fight club. Seemingly aimed at teaching self-defense, the true motive is to break free from their “ugly, untalented gays” label and, of course, enhance their romantic prospects.
Different from their previous collaboration, “Shiva Baby,” Seligman and Sennott take a bold stylistic detour, infusing a queer twist into the teenage sex comedy genre exemplified by films like “Superbad” and “American Pie.” From the get go this movie is full of hilarious comedic moments, and Bottoms solidifies Seligman and Sennott as formidable forces in American comedy.
The movie boasts numerous standout performances, with former N.F.L. running back Marshawn Lynch as the eccentric faculty adviser of the fight club and Ruby Cruz as Hazel, a effortlessly cool classmate who goes unnoticed by PJ. Ayo Edebiri, particularly, shines in her comedic brilliance, elevating Josie’s awkwardness to almost unbearable levels while delivering touching moments with authenticity. Sennott, doubling as co-writer, maintains her trademark spiky, sarcastic persona, and the chemistry between the two leads serves as the cohesive force driving “Bottoms.”
Special mention goes to Nicholas Galitzine, who fully commits to the role of Jeff, the man-child jock, providing a satirical take on the leading man model often found in films, that Bottoms playfully mocks. Honorable mentions have to go to Havana Rose Liu and Kaia Gerber who do a standout job supporting the audacity and unpredictability of the story.
Above all, the cast exhibits a willingness to dive headfirst into the film’s chaotic fights and zany humor, creating a narrative that impresses both in the comedy and romantic desires. Bottoms thrives on the energy of its creators, establishing them as a force to be reckoned with in the realm of cinema.
Bottoms hits Australian Cinemas November 30.
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
