The DUFF Reviews

To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this flick but since there was a decent cast involved, I thought I might as well check it out. To start with, except for Bella Thorne, pretty much all the actors involved were about 10 years too old which is obviously a recurring issue with this genre. Seriously, I will never understand why they refuse to cast some teenagers to play some actual teenagers in such movies. However, even more problematic was the fact that the concept turned out to be terribly generic and predictable. To make things worse, it was rather ridiculous to argue that Mae Whitman was either fat and/or ugly. Of course, in the movie, they argued that a duff is not necessarily fat or ugly but Whitman was just way too cute and charismatic to play such a character. In fact, from all the actors involved, the only one who managed to make a decent impression was Robbie Amell. Indeed, he was cocky, attractive and arrogant like you would be expect from a jock but he was also fun and not a complete idiot after all so he turned out to be a fairly complex character, at least, for the genre. It's too bad that all the other characters didn't have any depth whatsoever. Furthermore, I didn't believe for once second that these 2 characters belonged with each other, even at the end (by the way, what was this all about the main character stopping to make out to update her school article while she is in a freaking class room during the Prom?!?). Anyway, to conclude, even if the damned thing was rather harmless, I still think it was pretty weak and I don't think it is really worth a look, except maybe if you really like the genre.

It's nothing more than other High school ordinary movie, but you are gonna laugh and feel a lot of feelings when you're watching it. so, it's suitable for a light night or just a chill out day :'D

Yet, another movie about an intelligent high school teen girl who socially unfit among others. After realising her issue, she fights back to regain what she was missing. This type of concept is extremely common, but initiating a fresh idea on where the narration can develop the plots and finishes off high note is the vital for a movie's success. This film had one of that and that is called the DUFF. You can find out what that stands for in its official posters.

The movie was above the average. The characters were great, but not the unique ones. Everything was enjoyable, I mean it was not a usual annoying teen movie. Well directed because he got a good screenplay that extracted from the book of the same name. The cast was good, nice performances and so it is official that Bella Thorne classified for those mean girl roles.

Anyway the main character Bianca was so good. Whitman was too old for the role, but outclassed it. Carefully handled to get under the PG13, and it succeeds. So kids with the matured minds are pretty much allowed to watch it and I don't see any serious offensive to keep them away other than facts the film talks about. Overall a nice watch for sure.

6.5/10

Initial Thought: I have actually been wanting to see this. It looks funny and has an interesting cast. I think we have all been DUFFs at some point. Also of course this is based on a book not much these days is completely original.

Characters/Acting: A good selection of young actors with some well known older actors as well. I think all the characters were really enjoyable. Mae Whitman is really a unique looking person. Just because she is the DUFF in this doesn't mean she is unattractive. I would have talked to her if I went to school with her ahah. It seems that Bella Thorne is typecast as the popular stuck up chick in most movies I have seen her in lately.

Story: Well it seems like this is somewhat like Mean Girls or basically many of those makeover type movies. It is a bit different than those with the friends of the main character not being outcasts like usual. I always enjoy these kind of comedies where the characters kind of interact with the visuals only the audience usually notices and with a plethora of goofy side characters. The fantasy scenes are just so extreme that they are hilarious. It's a little bit predictable, but I'm okay with that here. It does bring it's own freshness along with the cliche. The ending was cute. Those bloopers were pretty hilarious too.

Directing/Writing: I've never heard of Ari Sandel. Josh A. Cagan wrote Bandslam which I intend to check out eventually. I haven't heard of his other stuff though. Kody Keplinger wrote the book that this is loosely based on. He has written three other books as well. None of which I have heard of before now. Well they did a pretty good job. It had my attention from beginning to end.

Final Thought: I have to say I really liked this. Yeah things happened as I expected, but it was fun getting to the ending. Everything in this was really well done. It is funny, the girls are beautiful, the acting is great, and the story is just really enjoyable. I know I'm a DUFF. We all are and it doesn't necessarily mean anything bad in most cases. It's just a label. Labels don't make a person who they are. Anyways I say check it out. It's a pretty nice way to spend some free time.