Young adult New York Times bestseller The Designated Ugly Fat Friend tells the story of Bianca played by Mae Whitman and her mission to defy labels.
It started with her realisation of being labelled DUFF, that drives her to thinking that she is being manipulated by her very own prettier, popular girlfriends, Casey and Jess played by Bianca Santos and Skyler Samuels.
The beautiful yet 'vicious' label maker - Madison, played by Bella Thorne in The DUFF (All pictures courtesy of TGV Pictures)
At the same time, Bianca need to gather the confidence to over-throne the school’s beautiful yet ruthless label maker Madison played Bella Thorne.
Desperately-seeking-help Bianca, then turned to her hot, chauvinistic neighbour, Wesley, played by Robbie Amell.
Bianca offered Wesley to a barter trade: she helps him pass chemistry class, so he can pursue Ohio State University with a scholarship; in return, he has to help Bianca to reform her social standing in school and work her charm to win the heart of her all-time school crush, singer Toby played by Nick Eversman.
The cast of The DUFF (from left to right) Bianca Santos, Skyler Samuels, Robbie Amell, Mae Whitman and Bella Thorne
The DUFF is adorably funny, thanks to the twenty-something Amell and Whitman who pulled off high school teens characters brilliantly.
In this movie, the not-so-little Mae Whitman who had her first acting career when she was six alongside Meg Ryan in the 1994 classic romantic movie When A Man Loves a Woman, gleams positively with her adorable comical mimic in a role that is self- disparaging.
Ken Jeong, surprisingly managed to tone down his usual antics in movies like Hangover when he played funny nerdy teacher, Mr. Arthur – who has also helped Bianca by giving her the voice to defining the true value of self-esteem via their school newspaper.
Growing up with a mother who is a famous divorce guru, Dottie, played by Allison Janney adds on to the drama of this teenager in facing the realm of school life.
The DUFF unwittingly slaps us with the reality of life, that regardless what people look or act like, in the end we are all someone’s DUFF and it's really all right.
For a thirty something person like me, watching twenty-something acting out teens role, my expectation for this film is different. I was expecting for something that can come close to the unforgettable 1985’s teen movie The Breakfast Club directed by Jack Hughes.
Though The DUFF did not quite meet my expectation, director Ari Sandel’s has successfully radiated his presence in the teen comedy film genre.
Despite being his film directorial debut, The DUFF has successfully captured the essence of the teen adventure in love and life and at the same time giving his audience the great pleasure to laugh out loud at the weirdness of normalcy in the post-modern world of American teenagers.
Directed by: Ari Sandel
Written by: Josh A. Cagan (screenplay), Kody Keplinger (novel)
Cast: Mae Whitman, Robbie Amell, Bella Thorne, Bianco Santos, Skyler Samuels, Ken Jeong, Allison Janney.
Release date: 9 April 2015.
Watch The DUFF trailer here:
