Beyond Ivy Walls: Unveiling Grandiosity and Success in Booksmart

Booksmart, directed by Olivia Wilde, presents a poignant exploration of the consequences of grandiosity, the pressures of academic achievement, and the unexpected paths to success. The film follows two high-achieving seniors, Molly and Amy, who find themselves confronting their own inflated self-perceptions on the eve of graduation.

High Achievement & Grandiosity

These key themes are all captured within the first 10 minutes of the film. Booksmart begins with Molly listening to her morning affirmations, reminding her that she’s worked hard to get where she is. She deserves her success because of her high achievement. The affirmations satirically remind her that it’s ok for her to look down on others who are less achieving. Molly has worked hard to show everyone that has ever doubted her that she has worth in the world.

In the halls of her high school, Molly walks around with Amy looking down on her peers around her. She struggles with grandiosity — “pompous superiority or pretentiousness.” 

As she meets with the school principal, she mentions her plans to attend school in New Haven next year — an attempt at false humility to say she’s attending Yale University. She boasts her acceptance, believing she’s outshone her peers who have seemingly prioritized partying over academics.

Challenging Assumed Superiority

However, a revelation in a gender-neutral bathroom shatters her grandiosity. As Molly corrects graffiti on the walls, she overhears her classmates at first playing the game “Fuck, Marry, Kill,” and then continues to hear them make fun of her for being too book-ish and boring. Notably, they joke that her vagina is “stuffed with diplomas.”

Molly emerges from the bathroom stall proudly and confronts her peers pretentiously.

“Oh, please do not stop on my account. You know what, my vag is stuffed with diplomas. Soon it’s going to be stuffed with job offers and glowing profiles and commendations from the governor. So, while you guys were out there studying AP hand jobs, I was kicking ass and busting curves. And I’m going to continue to do that at Yale next year so I like my choices, and wherever you three end up next year, I hope you do too.”

Molly has placed so much stock in her admission to Yale. She’s under the assumption that her acceptance to the University has validated her worth as an individual. While Molly sits on her high horse, she is abruptly dethroned.

“I’m going to Yale too,” the other girl in the bathrooms retorts.

Molly is shocked and fidgets getting a paper towel from the side of the sink. She can’t believe it. How could the girl known for giving out hand jobs be attending the same school as her?

It doesn’t end there. Molly learns that another peer was recruited to play soccer at Stanford University and another accepted a six-figure job coding at Google. She stands in shock as she considers the opportunities and talents her peers have.

The bathroom scene becomes a microcosm of Molly's shattered illusions. Initially amused by their trivial conversations, Molly's mood turns somber when she realizes that her peers are also successful in their own ways. With a mix of shock and disbelief, her grandiosity takes a hit, challenging Molly's assumed superiority.

Redefining Success

This pivotal moment becomes a catalyst for Molly's self-reflection. The film emphasizes the contrast between Molly's intense dedication to academics and her classmates' diverse achievements. The revelation prompts Molly to question the societal emphasis on college and career success. The themes of pressure to perform, the flaws in the educational system, and the obsession with future plans are woven throughout the narrative.

Molly's journey becomes a representation of grandiosity gone awry. The film navigates the delicate balance between celebrating individual accomplishments and recognizing that success comes in various forms. The characters highlight the need for a broader definition of achievement—one that includes personal growth, resilience, and happiness.

The film challenges the prevailing notion that academic success defines one's worth. It questions why students are not celebrated for being the best versions of themselves rather than conforming to conventional expectations. Molly's realization that her high school experience may have been too narrowly focused prompts her to reevaluate her priorities and question the societal norms that led her to this point.

Ultimately, Booksmart serves as a thought-provoking commentary on the complexities of high school experiences and the pitfalls of grandiosity. It calls for a more inclusive understanding of success and a reevaluation of the pressures placed on students to conform to predefined notions of achievement. Wilde's film encourages viewers to reflect on their own definitions of success and the importance of finding a balance that allows for personal growth and fulfillment.