Bottoms

Bibliographic Information:

Title: Bottoms

Screen Writers: Emma Seligman & Rachel Sennott

Director: Emma Seligman

Production Company: Orion Pictures & Brownstone Productions

Release Date: August 2023

Format: Movie

Genre: LGBTQIA+/ Comedy

Awards:

Sidewalk Programmer's Feature Film Award- 2023

GLADD Media Award: Outstanding Film- Wilde Release- 2024

Black Reel Award outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup- 2024

ReFrame: Feature Winner- 2024

Critics Association of Central Florida Awards: Best Achievement in Diversity- 2024

Girls on Film Award: Ensemble Cast Award - 2024

Rating: R, Age 16+ (Common Sense Media)

Running Time: 1 Hour 31 Minutes

Plot Summary:

Bottoms follows two lesbian best-friends, PJ and Josie, as they go back to school after summer break. Low on the social totem pole, they are determined to change their status and score some hot babes! When a rumor gets out of hand that they spent their summer in juvie and beat up the star quarterback, they decide to start a self defense club for the girls at their school. What no one knows is, the main goal of the club is to entice cheerleader chicks to attend and woo them into relationships. But what will the school think when their true intentions are exposed?

Creator Background:

Emma Seligman and Rachel Sennott both attended NYU for film togther and worked on the film Shiva Baby. Bottoms is the second film that Emma Seligman has written and directed.(Dimitroff, 2023). In addition to working on Shiva Baby, Rachel Sennott can be found in Bodies Bodies Bodies and on Ayo and Rachel are Single. (Milch, 2023).

Critical Evaluation:

What a zany movie! An absolute laugh

complete with sex, blood, teen angst, football jocks, and lesbians! This movie has such amazing representation, and a perfect cast, I loved every character! It makes fun of the high school situation while also validating the teen experience. The main characters are flawed and genuine, characters teens need. I don't typically love gore but it's done in such a comedic way and out of pocket that it adds to the hilarity. You can't help but root for the main characters, while also hating them for being so selfish and hypocritical. The soundtrack is on point and the cinematography is well done, colorful, and eccentric. Bottoms is a modern day cult classic!

Creative Use of Library Program:

GSA Meet Up- Librarians will coordinate with Gay Straight Alliance Clubs from local high schools to plan a self defense workshop hosted at the library. A mixer featuring the movie Bottoms will follow the workshop to encourage community and friendship development.

Speed Round Trailer:

The first rule of women's self defense and empowerment club, don't talk about how we didn't actually go to juvie. PJ and Josie start a fight club for the girls at school under the guise of creating solidarity but really are just trying to smash hot cheerleaders.

Potential Challenge Issued and Defense Preparation:

Because this movie is rated R, some might believe that this is not appropriate for teens. However, despite the raunch included in the film its about high schoolers! This movie provides representation for the LGBTQIA+ community in a high school setting which is sparse, is comedic and cinematically engaging! The aspects in this movie are geared to things that teens gravitate to even if it's what adults think is too mature.

Reason for Inclusion:

What teen wouldn't want to see this movie? It has all the things they love, it's comedic, raunchy, makes fun of themselves, and is about real life challenges they face even if they may be a bit exaggerated. This film is a modern and inclusive teen movie but yet one of a kind! I love Ayo Edebiri and I think there needs to be more lesbian representation in film and comedy!

Check Out:

References:

Critqal. (2023, August). Bottoms - Emma Seligman - Writer / Director | Interview [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/OLkngQCsVvA?feature=shared

Critqal. (2023, August). Bottoms - Rachel Sennott - Writer /"PJ" | Interview [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/BTrveDPu7GU?feature=shared

Dimitroff, C. (2023, August). Get to know Emma Seligman, the young, queer director behind ‘Shiva Baby’ and ‘Bottoms’. Russh. https://www.russh.com/who-is-emma-seligman/

Doherty, B. (2023, August). On the Cover of New York’s Fall Preview Issue: The Brains Behind the New Comedy, Bottoms [Photo]. New York press Room. https://nymag.com/press/2023/08/the-brains-behind-the-new-comedy-bottoms.html

IMDb. (n.d). Bottoms. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt17527468/

Letterbox. (2023, August). Ayo Edebiri, Rachel Sennott and Emma Seligman’s High School Movie Watchlist [Video]. https://youtu.be/bXOW1INd1Ts?feature=shared

Milch, C. S. (2023, April). Rachel Sennott Is the Friend You Wish You Had. Elle. https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a43620459/rachel-sennott-the-idol-interview-2023/

Slayton, J. (n.d.). Parents' Guide to Bottoms. Common Sense Media. Accessed June 2024 from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/bottoms