And yes. I really liked it. The reviews have been ROUGH. And I still liked it.
PSA: If you are ever on your way to a movie starring Zac Efron thinking, “I think tonight is going to be really great night that digs deep into the artistic part of my soul,” you’re going to be disappointed. But if you go into the night thinking, “I hope this is a movie that makes me laugh and get butterflies inside when Zac ultimately gets the too-beautiful-she-can’t-be-real girl (and also features a few shirtless scenes),” then you’re going to love this movie.
For an entertaining, popcorn-ready film with an attractive, but so unfortunately short, lead, this movie was great. I went in quite skeptical because I knew the premise was about EDM. And I’m in my 30s (ancient by EDM standards). But I can get BEHIND some Zac Efron. One of my favorite Nicholas Spark’s movies stars Zac Efron.
He’s got a great face, decent acting skills and looks good shirtless. What more can you ask for?
Let me tell you a few things you need to know about We Are Your Friends. But let’s first start with the most obvious question:
What the Hell is EDM?
I’m glad you asked. Have you ever been on the subway at 6:30 pm and see all those kids in white and neon clothes with glow sticks around their necks? They are fans of EDM. You and I are too old to understand how it’s different than “House” or “Techno” or any other music out there today, but EDM stands for Electronic Dance Music. Yes, you’re right, that IS basically all music made today.
But EDM is HUGE. Diplo plays EDM. Calvin Harris (Taylor Swiift’s Beau) is an EDM DJ. Ansel Elgort from Divergent and TFIOS is a DJ. And Zac Efron is a wanna-be EDM DJ in “We Are Your Friends.”
The movie is filled with heart-pounding, fist pumping, get up out of your seat and dance beats. And I know this because my friend and I struggled to NOT get up out of our seats and dance. (It was uncomfortable really.)
The Movie has Beautiful People
We’ve already talked about Zac Efron, but let’s look at the pretty again:
But I want to tell you about your latest girl crush: Emily Ratajkowski
Yes, of Blurred Lines fame.
She’s known for showing off her body. And I have so many questions. Are those boobs real? Are her lips? Who does her eye make-up?
Emily is gorgeous, and Emily can act. Her character was likeable as the love interest of Zac Efron.
Damn she’s pretty.
There’s a Diplo character.
Or insert name of another appropriate “older” EDM DJ (I’m pretty sure Diplo is my age)
James is a popular EDM “sell-out” DJ who used to be good and now just cashes checks to DJ parties.
The “We Are Your Friends” story
I liked it. Cole (Zac Efron) is an aspiring EDM DJ who is playing cliche beats. James encourages him to find his “sound.” He’s tired of the grind- DJing for free on Thursday club nights in LA; Living with his friend’s parent’s, sharing a room; Working a meaningless day job. He’s loking for a way out. He’s looking for something to say.
And through the movie he finds his voice. Eventually he finds something that “matters” through his music. Yes, I mean his EDM “beats.:
God this entire article makes me feel like a grandmother.
I really enjoyed this movie. There were pretty people, a subculture I totally don’t understand (though I can get behind an occasional dance song from time to time- but an entire evening of EDM? Do you have to be high? Do “Shows” start earlier than 11 pm? MUST you wear neon?) and a good story about finding yourself and your voice.
“We Are Your Friends” is out now. Go see it
