The DUFF is a teen comedy film directed by Academy Award winning director Ari Sandel, starring Mae Whitman from The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Robbie Amell who plays the handsome jock, and Bella Thorne the mean girl. The movie follows high school senior Bianca Piper (Mae Whitman), a writer for the school newspaper as she tries to reinvent herself when she is told she is the DUFF, (“Designated Ugly Fat Friend”). While trying to win over her crush, she deals with the school’s mean girl. But after things do not go as planned, something unexpected happens.
The DUFF is a mixture of Mean Girls, She’s All That, and 10 Things I Hate About You. The DUFF deals with mean girls, transformations, and best friends. It has the ex-girlfriend trying to get back with her ex-boyfriend, the popular guy developing a crush on the dorky, lame girl. It is somewhat of a love triangle.
What made this a good teen movie was that they addressed how teens feel when they are stereotyped and judged. It gave the perspectives of teen and adults.
The acting was decent. Its actors and actresses do a mediocre job of playing their roles of jock and dork with the exception of Bella Thorne, who plays the mean girl. Her acting did not seem real and was overdramatic.
The music does a fine job, fits the vibe of the movie, and went great with the scenes. Popular artists such as Charlie XCX, Nick Jonas, The Vamps, and Jessie J are on the soundtrack, which dropped February 17, 2015 on iTunes.
Though the movie was quite predictable and not that convincing, it was funny and enjoyable. I would recommend this movie to anyone who either feels like a DUFF or is looking to transform themselves. The movie is also based on the book by Kody Keplinger, which was released in 2011. The movie came out February 20, 2015.