Bottoms (2023) Comedy Movie Review

The plot takes an unexpected turn when PJ and Josie accidentally stumble upon a plan that could make them popular at their high school and help them win over their crushes – Brittany (Kaia Gerber) for PJ and Isabel (Havana Rose Liu) for Josie. However, things get complicated as Isabel is in a tumultuous relationship with the school's quarterback, Jeff (Nicholas Galitzine), and his overprotective second-in-command, Tim (Miles Fowler), becomes an unexpected adversary.

To navigate the challenges, PJ and Josie team up with another classmate, Hazel (Ruby Cruz), and Mr. G (Marshawn Lynch), a teacher facing his own personal crisis. Together, they form a rather unqualified fight club/self-defense class to protect themselves against a rival school and learn to stand up for themselves.

The teachers in the film are portrayed in a humorous light, with Mr. G making basic statements in class, providing no explanations, and letting students do whatever they want while he deals with his own personal issues. The film incorporates absurdities like a student in a cage, only later revealed as the top wrestler, and football players constantly wearing their uniforms for no apparent reason.

PJ cites feminism as a reason for starting their fight club/self-defense group, even though Josie confesses she doesn't like feminism. The best friends also go along with a rumor that they spent the summer in juvenile detention, weaving exaggerated stories for shock value.

"Bottoms" is filled with catchy music, featuring comedic use of songs like Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” along with modern beats by Leo Birenberg and Charli XCX. The movie unfolds with one humorous scenario after another, creating an entertaining experience akin to a conveyor belt of candies.

In one emotional scene in "Bottoms," the movie briefly shifts from its playful tone to address a serious moment. PJ, Josie, Hazel, and their club members gather on the basketball court, suggested by Hazel to bond better. They start sharing difficult stories about assault, stalkers, and frustration over police inaction. Although the moment is short-lived as Josie shifts the conversation to her supposed time in juvenile detention, it effectively acknowledges the real challenges girls their age face before returning to their unconventional fight training.

"Bottoms" playfully mocks typical high school movies where actors often look older than their characters and there's usually a coming-of-age lesson. However, PJ and Josie's journey to learning a valuable lesson involves more than just the usual teenage drama. They endure bruised faces, bloody noses, and plenty of cuts and scrapes. The film turns the tables on John Hughes-style movies, where girls are often portrayed as pouty wallflowers or broody misfits waiting for a makeover. In "Bottoms," PJ and Josie are the weirdos, the nerds, and they embrace the right to fail, be bold, make crude jokes, and even shed some blood. Directors Seligman and Sennott fully embrace the humor, extending it to the end credits blooper reel.