Review of The DUFF (2015) by Matt C — 22 Feb 2015

While I prefer movies to be unique and special, being unique and special isn't the defining factor on whether or not a movie is good. The DUFF is a good example of that in that it's predictable, but it's still funny and really cute.

Hard to dislike, actually. For every plot point that is technically a retread of other movies, The DUFF compensates with fun energy and smart jokes, and even gives its morals to the audience without feeling blatant.

Mae Whitman is probably the best thing about this movie, given that it essentially rests on her shoulders, and that's a pretty good thing given that she's extremely likable. While I knew that should can be ridiculous very well as shown in Scott Pilgrim vs.

the World and sarcastic yet vulnerable like she was in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, I didn't know that she was so unabashedly fun to watch. She plays off of others well and has great timing. Speaking of which, the other actors are surprisingly good; they work well with the somewhat meta script that acknowledges their respective archetypes.

The screenplay is better than I thought it would be mostly in part to its awareness of its characters' actions and how they seem. When I first saw the trailer for this, I said, "Wait, DUFF stands for 'designated ugly fat friend?' But Mae Whitman is neither ugly nor fat.

" Luckily enough, the movie acknowledges that and pretty quickly comments on how society tosses around terms like "ugly" and "fat" to describe things that differ from the perceptions of traditional beauty.

The movie understands that its lead isn't actually "ugly," nor is anyone else. It's nice to see a movie that positions itself to give overt lessons on accepting others but instead comes off as relatively subtle.

Overall, The DUFF is surprisingly enjoyable, and although it isn't Clueless, Mean Girls, or Easy A, its charm is more than enough and it doesn't overstay its modest welcome. I may not buy it on Blu-Ray or something, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't see it.

8/10, really good, one thumb up, above average, etc.