The DUFF (2015)

People are voting emotionally.

As Good As It Gets

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

Every modern teen film wants to be a John Hughes film. Everyone making a modern teen film aspires for it to become as beloved as a John Hughes film. Not every film though can be a John Hughes, and ends up looking like a bargain basement copy. This is one such film.There are good performances being given, and the script isn't half bad, but even two years later this film comes across as being dated (something Hughes's films don't 30 years later) and I doubt it will be remembered half as highly as the film makers seem to hope it will be in the DVD extras.It's a decent attempt, but not one of the better Hughes inspired teen films doing the rounds.

High school used to be home to what I guess you could say, The Breakfast Club; you had the jocks, the princesses, the nerds, the trouble-makers, and the basket-cases, but high school isn't like that anymore. In fact, we have more labels than ever and that includes the new slang term The D.U.F.F (Designated Ugly Fat Friend). This film is creative, interesting, and very entertaining. The leading actress, Mae Whitman, makes the film enjoyable along with her co-stars Robbie Amell and Ken Jeong. It has a good story line, a good atmosphere, and there's a good message at the end. Something I didn't really like about the movie was Bella Thorne's character, Madison. I felt like her character lacked development and it felt too stereotypical given that the movie was steering away from the stereotypes. As a whole, I would recommend this film to others because it was humorous and fun to watch.

Described as "the 'Mean Girls' of this generation" on the Blu-ray back cover, 'The DUFF' is not nearly as fresh and quick-witted as Tiny Fey's iconic high school comedy, but it is fairly decent for what it is. The plot has a teenage social misfit discovering that everyone thinks of her as a "designated ugly fat friend" to her two more traditionally attractive best friends, which prompts her to try to climb up the social ladder at school. The film gets off to a very good start, full of witty narration by lead actress Mae Whitman whose spunky, highly individualistic personality lights up the first few scenes. The less said about the rest of the young actors, the better though, with Bella Thorne in particular paling against Rachel McAdams who played a very similar character in 'Mean Girls', though to be fair, her role in the narrative is quite limited. Curiously enough, the same can be said for those in the adult roles too. Ken Jeong had one of the most fun oddball roles in the TV show 'Community', but here he has little to do other than occasionally banter with Whitman as her favourite teacher. Allison Janney likewise has some funny moments as Whitman's free spirited mother, but her references to 'This is Spinal Tap' and unexpected swearing bits are few and far between. Whatever the case, the film almost works as 'My Fair Lady' variant with Whitman making a deal with her next door neighbour to help her transform, however, the romantic tension to come between the pair is telegraphed from so early on that it becomes a distraction to Whitman's quest to fit in. The film is at least energetic and zany enough (with a ton of social media plugs) that there is never a boring moment to be had. The end credits are especially well done.

No doubt the plot was more or less the same story of a not hot girl (a DUFF in 2015) try to change herself then lose her friend but finally discover that this isn't herself and end up with the guy who she did not target in the first place. You can figure all this out from the first 5 minutes of the movie.However, the real charm and entertaining is within the 2 main character Bianca and Wesly (the only two character that actually have a role). Bianca was awkwardly funny and smart while Wesly was cheeky, idiot and cutest. Together they are amusing, charming, and realistic probably one of the best couple in my list right now. I think what really attract people to the movies was the insider that it is damn true about a DUFF (apparently I am one). It is another entertaining teen flick movie but just don't expect anything new from it then you will ended the movie with pleasure and a little blush.