The DUFF
The Duffmakes timely points about self-love, body image, and modern relationships but falls short of becoming a teen drama classic.
For year , Bianca Piper ( Mae Whitman ) has successfully navigated the soul - mash hall of eminent school . Side by side with her two secure friends , Casey ( Bianca A. Santos ) and Jess ( Skyler Samuels ) , Bianca has been boost to take - pridefulness in her personal quirk , insouciant style , and love for classical zombie movies - while managing to ignore the vain opinions of " pre - renown , " and bully , Madison Carter ( Bella Thorne ) .
That is until Bianca ’s puerility friend , and shoal football poor boy , Wesley Rush ( Robbie Amell ) points out that she is a DUFF ( Designated Ugly Fat Friend ) , draw her to interrogate tightlipped friendships as well as her chances with Toby - Bianca ’s polite ( sushi - loving and guitar - playing ) press . In an effort to testify that she is n’t anyone ’s DUFF , Bianca squad - up with Wesley ( in interchange for Chemistry tutoring ) to reinvent her image and recapture her former devil – may – care confidence . However , as Bianca becomes increasingly fixated on proving she is n’t a DUFF , she also realizes that a life - changing fight is at hand - one that is much bigger than catty label on Urban Dictionary .
Skyler Samuels , Bianca A. Santos , and Mae Whitman in ' The Duff '
free-base on Kody Keplinger ’s 2010 novel of the same name ( which she wrote her senior yr of high school),The DUFFwas adapt for the big screen by writer Josh A. Cagan ( Bandslam ) and director Ari Sandel ( Aim High ) . Fans of the book will definitely notice that Sandel ’s discussion is a sleek interlingual rendition of the printed source - abandoning many of the novel ’s more histrionic , and overtly sexual , elements in favor of a straightforward tarradiddle of teenage self - empowerment ( as well as romance ) . The al-Qur’an has been celebrated for its enactment of modern teen relationships and mellow school intimidation but the film story is filtered through PG-13 high schooling comedy tropes . The resultant role ? A humor - sate dramatic event for thecurrenthigh school day crowd - sinceThe Duffmakes well-timed point about self - love life , body trope , and advanced relationship but falls short of becoming a teen dramatic event classic ( e.g. ,Easy A , She ’s All That , and10 thing I Hate About You ) .
As indicated , the narrative contains timely elements that will vibrate with Generation omega - from the affect of social spiritualist on high school culture to the age - old challenge of balancing personal expression with popularity . Yet , like most Hollywood production , The Duffleans heavily on pop civilization nod and period - specific situation that will eventually date the flick - for the sake of procure to the current audience at the expense of sometime moviegoers or watcher who might watch the film years later ( when Snapchat is no longer a household name , for deterrent example ) . Still , even though select jokes and references lend more style - than - substance , the core storyline tender plenty of worthwhile textile - especially as Bianca incur peace and a healthy perspective on her DUFF label .
Bella Thorne as Madison in ' The Duff '
fortuitously , Sandel piece a strong form - with amusing , albeit moderately one - note performances from several intimate faces : Bella Thorne ( Alexander and the awful , Horrible , No trade good , Very spoiled Day ) , Allison Janney ( Juno ) , Ken Jeong ( The Hangover ) , and Romany Malco ( Weeds ) . Though , in spite of quality put up talent , there ’s no dubiety that Mae Whitman and Robbie Amell help elevateThe DUFFabove received teen transportation . After appear as a side character in several furor - make TV appearance and film ( Arrested Development , Parenthood , andScott Pilgrim vs. The World ) , Whitman proves that she can stockpile a lead purpose as Bianca . cutting comedic timing and charming whit , as well as comfort in her pelt ( alongside a mold of close blonde actresses ) , ensure that Whitman is practicing , in her own performance and larger calling , whatThe DUFFpreaches .
That said , while Whitman lay a warm foundation in the chief role , the actress and the film are at their good when paired with Amell ’s earnest and downright endearing take on received high school day jock cliches - as Bianca ’s childhood friend , and neighbor , Wesley . Even when Whitman and Amell stretch along to sell a few of the story ’s more histrionic plot of ground meter , their onscreen friendly relationship provides pleasurable give-and-take ( and some fresh twists on anterior teenage drama outlines ) .
Robbie Amell as Wesley Rush in ' The Duff '
Skyler Samuels, Bianca A. Santos, and Mae Whitman in ‘The Duff’
It ’s gratify to see an industriousness staple like Whitman ( who played President Whitmore ’s daughter inIndependence Day ) get deserved time in the spotlight but Amell steals about every aspect - transition Wesley from imitation to a semi - superimposed manful counterpoint for Bianca . The DUFFmight not be the most nuanced play of the twelvemonth but , alongside a downright captivating purpose inThe Flash , Amell ’s power to make Wesley a standout entry in an already racy cast proves the up - and - coming actor is more than just a boob tube heartthrob ( or 2d violin to hisArrow - starring cousin ) .
Ultimately , The Duffdoes small to break from its adolescent dramatic play format but , at the same clock time , provides worthwhile ( albeit mostly superficial ) updates to timeless literary genre tropes for current PG-13 viewers . While it does not reinvent the teen movie wheel , The Duffstill touches on cozy field that are worthy of revisit - especially in a finish that has become increasingly obsessed with social perceptual experience . For that reason , Sandel ’s film is n’t probable to win - over older moviegoers who have seen similar plot line explored before , especially within the outer boundary of their own high school experience , but in terms of overall instruction execution , The Duffis a successful adaption - and should provide entertaining ( and relatable ) viewing for its intend audience .
TRAILER
The Duffruns 130 minutes and is Rated PG-13 for crude and intimate stuff throughout , some spoken communication and adolescent partying . Now playing in house .
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Agree or disagree withThe Duffreview ?
The DUFF , directed by Ari Sandel , is a teen drollery about gamey school senior Bianca Piper , played by Mae Whitman , who discovers she has been labeled the DUFF ( Designated Ugly Fat Friend ) by her more famous peers . compulsive to reinvent herself , Bianca look for the aid of a charming athlete to serve put her on the social mathematical function .
Robbie Amell as Wesley Rush in ‘The Duff’
