The Duff Review

2015 in film

Feb 19

Written By Rendy Jones

Preview

PG13:Crude and Sexual Material Throughout, Some Language, and Teen Partying

Lionsgate, CBS Films

1 hr and 41 Minutes

Cast: Mae Whitman, Robbie Amell, Bella Thorne, Bianca Santo, Skyler Samuels, Allison Janney, Nick Eversman, Chris Wylde, with Romany Malco, and Ken Jeong

Editor’s Note: This review was originally published during my adolescence. Outdated language might be seen in these old posts. Since then, my thoughts and values have grown. This review is being presented as they were originally written, grammatical errors and typos and all. Because to do otherwise would be that same as claiming these flaws has never existed.

BACKSTORY: Wednesday, February 18th I take my cousin and little sister to the premiere of the Duff. Well to be honest, I saw this film twice in 2014 when it had super early screenings which means it had no credits, the music choices weren't official, and most of all, some shots weren't fully rendered. So basically I saw this film progress and prosper into one of my favorite teen comedies of all time. But since Mae Whitman and Robbie Amell was at the theater, I went to try to get a picture with them. I got a pic with Mae, but Robbie was another story. With him, there were almost 300 girls who were fighting over for him. When the movie endedI was bumrushed by a lot of those girls when he left. While my sister was in the bathroom, the girls were screaming with their cameras and rushing and following where ever he went. As getting squeezed between people, I saw my feet getting lifted from the ground and fearing I was going to die. Thankfully I pushed myself out of the crowd and went on with my merry way. When my sister got out she asked "did I miss anything?" Me being mortified, just stood there and nodded.

STORYLINE: Bianca is a content high school senior whose world is shattered when she learns the student body knows her as 'The DUFF' (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) to her prettier, more popular friends. Now, despite the words of caution from her favorite teacher, she puts aside the potential distraction of her crush, Toby, and enlists Wesley, a slick but charming jock, to help reinvent herself. To save her senior year from turning into a total disaster, Bianca must find the confidence to overthrow the school's ruthless label maker Madison and remind everyone that no matter what people look or act like, we are all someone's DUFF.

REVIEW: Sometimes you can tell the plot points in a high school film just by watching the trailer. Most of the time when it's a drama it sucks ass, but when it's a comedy they tend to be more enjoyable. But this film The Duffteaches everyone that it's not about the cliche that matters but its about the journey to the cliche that makes everything more fun. This film is the real definition of fun. The Duff doesn't play as a Mean Girls retread, but more of a female Hitch high school story. What a lot of films I recently seen missed is what this film has that makes it great: charisma. Scene after scene the charismatic leads especially Whitman and Amell take control of the comedy with quick wit remarks and clever dialogue. The side characters all have a funny line or too that doesn't feel out of place, but have really good belly laughing jokes. As I said before, the film has a ton of cliches you see from a mile away, but if it wasn't for the comedy, this film would've been as enjoyable as it is.

LAST STATEMENT: As formulaic as it is, The Duff prospers from an energetic cast and smart written jokes that hit hard every time.