One of the best comedies of recent memory Bottoms comes to Blu-ray in a special edition thanks to Kino Lorber.
The Film
Bottoms is the kind of rowdy, randy, dangerous, and hilarious comedy even a decade prior would have made a small fortune at the box office and instantly became a staple in everyone’s collection. As it stands in the current era the Emma Seligman directed comedy should be able to build a cult following it rightfully deserves with this home video release.
Best friends and high school seniors PJ (Rachel Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri) want nothing more than to lose their virginity to the object of their desires Brittany (Kaia Gerber) and Isabel (Havana Rose Liu). In a town that cherishes the high school football team above all else it is an impossibility for these two social outcasts. After a chance interaction PJ and Josie concoct a plan to start a “fight club” to lure the girls into their spells. Though the “fight club” attracts Brittany and Isabell it also brings all of the others deemed different from the school and town. As they plan seems to be actually working, they begin to attract unwanted attention from the school’s football stars (Nicholas Galitzine and Miles Fowler) that will put more than their sex lives at risk.
Bottoms somehow manages to be both progressive in its viewpoints and a dangerously dark comedy that would make Heathers proud. As scripted by director Seligman and star Sennott this is a film that’s both sex comedy and deconstructed action film. The way that it is able to toe the line between these two desperate genres is a minor miracle. Seligman’s ability to balance tone is the films biggest strength. Bottoms never veers too far from comedy and never pushes outside of the dramatic stakes. The film is able to take itself seriously when it matters and even when it’s taking aim at the genre, society or anyone it manages to remain faithful to that tone.
Stars Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri have already become stars in their own right – each managing burgeoning superstardom. Bottom just proves the duo continued ascent as they manage to be both hilarious but heartfelt in their performances as PJ and Josie. Sennott and Edebiri are aided by the excellent supporting cast led by Kaia Gerber, Havana Rose Liu, Ruby Cruz, Nicholas Galitzine, Miles Fowler, Zamani Wilder, Summer Joy Campbell, and
Virginia Tucker. Each are given moments to shine in a film that never really boxes them into clichés or stereotypes. Though it’s the supporting work by Marshawn Lynch as the teacher that helps the girls keep their fight club going that’s the gem here. Those familiar with the ex-NFL Superstar’s career will be delighted and surprised to find a nimble comedic performer in Beastmode.
Bottoms is a truly special film. A comedy that works on multiple levels and delivers laughs in the way that the best crowd pleasers of the genre do.
The Transfer
The digitally shot film looks crisp and sharp on Blu-Ray. The handsome widescreen anamorphic shot image has no digital issues or artifacting. One wonders how the comedy would look on 4K UHD as the Blu-ray pushes out the very limits of the format in its color reproduction and contrast range.
The Extras
They include the following;
- Audio Commentary by Cast Members Rachel Sennott, Ayo Edebiri, Ruby Cruz, Havana Rose Liu, and Kaia Gerber
- Audio Commentary by Director Emma Seligman
- Deleted Scenes
- Outtakes
- Ride Along: The Making of Bottoms
The first of two audio commentaries by Cast Members Rachel Sennott, Ayo Edebiri, Ruby Cruz, Havana Rose Liu, and Kaia Gerber moderated by filmmaker Gillian Wallace Horvat begins with introductions of the various participants and their roles. Some of the details include Sennott discussing how she and director/co-writer Emma Seligman came up with the concept including the writing process and development; a discussion of the alternate opening and their working on the tone of the film; each of the actor discussed how they were cast/came on to the project; a discussion of their respective high school experiences; how Marshawn Lynch was cast; Sennott and Edebiri and working together again after a lengthy period time of not collaborating; the work on tone with the cast; shooting the fight scenes and how character base nature of that throughout the story; “termite season” in New Orleans and their experience with it; working with the other actors (not present on the commentary track); a larger discussion of the various inspirations; a larger discussion of costume design and choices for character choices and the intent for character; and much more. This group track is surprisingly compelling because there isn’t a free-for-all like many of a group track where the participants are recorded together but rather a thoughtful group discussion on the making of the film.
The second of the two audio commentary tracks is by Director Emma Seligman opens with a discussion of the opening scene and the props used. Some of the details include opens with a warning about her wanting to discuss the “prop work” in the film – and does so at great length which is very interesting as they lead to the tone and style of the film; a great discussion of Miles Fowler’s audition; background actors and the work the Assistant Directors; a discussion of the musical tracks by Charlie XCX and composer Leo Birenberg; the work of stunt coordinator Devin MacNair – and a discussion of the style and evolution of the fighting that they worked on throughout the film; a larger discussion of production design by Nate Jones and the various locations used in New Orleans – and the difficulty in finding schools that would allow them to shoot because of the subject matter; a larger discussion of the various actors that appear in the film; a discussion of the various costume and makeup choices as they relate to the character and how much care they took with each; the various sources of inspiration; and much more. Seligaman delivers an informative and entertaining commentary track.
Deleted Scenes – consisting of six scenes that you can access from a submenu.
- Lobotomy (2:52)
- Extended Bedroom Scene (2:54)
- Tim Confronts PJ and Josie (1:11)
- Tim Discovers Lobotomy (0:22)
- Tim Manipulates Hazel (1:32)
- Pineapple Juice Tackle (2:36)
Outtakes (8:50) – this is a collection of various alternate takes from various scenes from the film. The outtakes are presented without title cards or chapter stops. Some actual feature the actor’s breaking in the scenes as well. The outtakes are as funny as the film itself.
Ride Along: The Making of Bottoms (28:19) – this all-new surprisingly in-depth look at the making of Bottoms is fantastic. As told by the actors and director Emma Seligmann thelooks at the characters, world, tone and style of the film. The featurette uses a combination of interviews, clips from the film, and b-roll behind the scenes footage wonderfully edited together. Comments by director Seligman, star/co-writer Sennott, actors Edebiri, Liu, Gerber, Cruz, Miles Fowler, Nicholas Galitzine, Marshan Lynch,
Theatrical Trailer (2:18)
The Final Thought
Kino Lorber brings one of the best comedies of the decade to home video in a truly great special edition. Highest recommendations!!!