I laughed. I MAYBE even got teary-eyed at some point. And I for sure cheered at the end when, of course, the guy gets the girl!
There’s nothing about this movie that doesn’t scream every other teenage high school movie you’ve seen. It IS every other teenage high school movie you’ve seen. But despite that, it’s good. It’s funny, and the characters are likable. There is major chemistry between Bianca (Mae Whitman) and Wesley (Robbie Amell).
Bitch
I hated Madison, Bella Thorne’s character so much to the point where I actually think I might hate Bella Thorne the person. Is there ANYTHING likable about her in real life? Bianca’s sidekick friends are just lovely.
Ken Jeong is hilarious, as always, and plays an encouraging teacher, so you almost forget that you’ve seen his penis (in The Hangover. You’re welcome for the memory)
The Duff follows Bianca, a high school senior, as she instigates a social pecking order revolution after finding out that she has been labeled the DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) to her prettier more popular friends. We see Bianca transform from a girl who hid behind her friends’ popularity (without really even recognizing it) to someone who OWNS who she is. Along the way friendships are broken and mended, boys prove who can and can’t be trusted, and there’s a prom scene to rival all teenage movie prom scenes that caps it all off. The Duff is based on the book of the same title written by Kody Keplinger.
Oh yeah, Wesley (Robbie Amell) is H-a-w-t
The Duff was laugh out loud funny. It was like watching my favorite high school movies “She’s All That” and “10 things I hate about you” but updated for today – written for teens right now. It interwove hip lingo, hashtags, pinterest mentions and snap chat in a way that worked. I know I’m not 14 years old, but I can imagine that a 14 year old is going to laugh at the dialogue. It didn’t feel like it was written by someone’s grandpa trying to sound like he was down with the kids. It was written really well by someone who knew was she was talking about.
BFFs awww
If you search the interwebs for more info on The Duff, you’re going to read criticism about how it’s cliche (it is) and “Not John Hughes.” And, no duh. It’s not John Hughes. But if you want to take that 60 year old guys from The Chicago’s Sun advice on movies you might like, go for it. But here at TN we try to bring it to you like your best friend might. And I, your internet BFF Bekah, am telling you you’re going to love this movie!
