The DUFF (2015)

As a huge fan of "Easy A" and "Mean Girls," I was anxious to check out Ari Sandel's "The DUFF." This might be because I didn't really go to high school so I like to live vicariously through these entertaining, stereotype-filled movies. Though really, they make high school seem miserable (and the one year I did attend was difficult enough) so maybe it just makes me feel better about missing out on the drama but still getting to understand it through comedy. Anyway, I doubt I'm alone in thinking that there is something incredibly enjoyable about these teen-comedies when they're well-written. Though the other two films are still funnier and have better jokes, "The DUFF" holds its own with a great heroine and a romance that is actually worth rooting for.

Mae Whitman stars as the vampire-movie-loving, overalls-wearing, boy-fearing Bianca Piper. She hangs out with Jess (Skyler Samuels) and Casey (Bianca Santos) - the textbook hot girls - who steal the affections and admiration of most of the school. At a party, Bianca's neighbor and QB hunk Wes Rush (Robbie Amell) brings it to her attention that she is the DUFF - the designated ugly fat friend - to her hotter counterparts. She is the gatekeeper; she is the approachable one whom men can exploit and find out the dirty deets on her less accessible, intimidating, dateable best friends.

This fuels a devastating and overwhelming identity crisis for Bianca. But when she realizes that Wes is right and that people only talk to her as a way to get to Jess and Casey, she determines to rid herself of "duff-ness" in order to get with her crush Toby (Nick Eversman). In exchange for helping Wes with science, he agrees to help and advise her in her predicament. So, yes, this entire premise is filled with stereotypes and clichés. There's the high school paper/assignment that culminates the entire point of the movie, the Eliza Doolitle trying on clothes scene, the quirky teacher and the neglecting parent (Ken Jeong and Allison Janney in two thankless roles, although Janney does get a great lawnmower intro), the homecoming dance, the catty girls, the gossip.

However, though it's entirely flooded with things we've already seen, these characters are surprisingly not wooden. This is most evident in the unexpectedly layered Wesley Rush. Neither of the love interests in "Easy A" or "Mean Girls" are terribly fleshed out nor are they characters anyone really remembers or cares about. Amell is a talented actor and he brings wit, charm, and sweetness to an archetype typically left to surface exploration only. Consequently, "The DUFF" is more than just a teenage farce and actually a sweet rom-com. Bianca and Wes share some very human moments together and their friendship is credible. It's a relationship that goes beyond the initial spark of a kiss.

Even Bianca's friendship with Jess and Casey is filled with more positive vibes than animosity. However, it's a shame there isn't more substance to that relationship. It almost works against the movie's ultimately positive message about friendship overcoming labels and support for self-confidence and discovery. It's still refreshing to see a friendship that, even when on a break, doesn't turn to cruel backstabbing and catty name-calling or treachery. In the end, the only character that feels wooden is queen-bee, mean girl, "pre-famous" Madison (Bella Thorne). This stereotype works to fuel the conflicts of embarrassing viral videos and Wes's on-again/off-again girlfriend.

Another thing that makes "The DUFF" stick out next to these other (and mostly better) teen-movies is its timely capture of technology's dissonant effect on 21st century high-schoolers. Though people in 2015 may not necessarily end a friendship by making a scene of unfriending them on Facebook, this still provides for commentary on the social-media infused existence we all live in. The wide shots of the entire school staring down at their phones, for example, are telling of these imminent issues. In addition, Snapchat, Pinterest, and Instagram references alongside onscreen hashtags and animations contribute to the overall idea that these viral videos and networks hover over constantly. This is simultaneously the most enjoyable feature and the biggest drawback. Inevitably this will date the movie and prevent future generations from understanding all of the jokes.

(On a side note, I'm pretty sure that kids these days don't say "Viral? Viral" to get things to circulate. Idk, but I'm pretty sure that's not how the viral thing works).

But despite some jokes that fall flat, and some clichés that go too far to "inspire", there is something that any insecure girl (including myself) can connect with. Obviously Bianca - who's as real as they come, bedazzled with piercings, and beautiful if not typeface hot - is not ugly, nor fat. But as Wes clarifies at the beginning - a DUFF doesn't have to be those things. It's the idea. Anyone with insecurities is a DUFF. I'm a DUFF. You've probably been a DUFF. We all feel inadequate in some way and struggle to overcome labels. Sometimes those cheesy messages about being yourself are worth repeating, I guess.

If nothing else, it's hard to dismiss a film that gives Mae Whitman her long overdue spotlight. Up until now, she has been a stalwart supporting role in things like "Arrested Development," "Parenthood," and more recently "Perks of Being a Wallflower." It's time for her talent to be displayed at the forefront. Her comedic timing is impeccable and it's fun to see her shine. This honest, adorable and relatable actress deserves this springboard for more complex roles.

So, no. I don't think "The DUFF" will pass the test of time like others of its genre have been able to. But it's still a snappy comedy full of charm and worth a watch. 7/10