Teen comedies are always in the filmic rotation. Easy to understand why, since it's the place where most people develop their social skills and grow as individuals, all whilst attending a mass conformity locker. Everyone's been through it, so everyone can relate to the stories that take place there. And the first one up for this year to drag folks back through the hallways of young adult awkwardness is The DUFF.
What is a "DUFF" exactly? Well, it stands for Designated Ugly Fat Friend, a charming and in no way hurtful moniker that Bianca (Mae Whitman) discovers applies to her from a douche at a party. Upset to find out that that's how everyone at school sees her, Bianca becomes determined to rid herself of that label, enlisting the help of jock Wesley to assist her transformation. Cue high school hierarchy shuffle.
Gotta say, whilst the trailer looks... well, exactly the way you'd expect a teen movie to look, the overall premise and how it plays out (as far as it would seem, anyway) is actually pretty gross. Sure, it takes a step in the right direction in taking the Pygmalion/She's All That-like notion of making the school ugly girl into an unexpected hottie and giving the decision for the change over to the girl herself rather than some guy... however, it still seems to take the position altering who you are so others find you more acceptable is the key to happiness. And also, since when was Mae Whitman "ugly"?
Meh, whatever. This movie is already on a bad foot with me, but maybe we'll get something else when it hits cinemas in February (or April in the UK).
What is a "DUFF" exactly? Well, it stands for Designated Ugly Fat Friend, a charming and in no way hurtful moniker that Bianca (Mae Whitman) discovers applies to her from a douche at a party. Upset to find out that that's how everyone at school sees her, Bianca becomes determined to rid herself of that label, enlisting the help of jock Wesley to assist her transformation. Cue high school hierarchy shuffle.
Gotta say, whilst the trailer looks... well, exactly the way you'd expect a teen movie to look, the overall premise and how it plays out (as far as it would seem, anyway) is actually pretty gross. Sure, it takes a step in the right direction in taking the Pygmalion/She's All That-like notion of making the school ugly girl into an unexpected hottie and giving the decision for the change over to the girl herself rather than some guy... however, it still seems to take the position altering who you are so others find you more acceptable is the key to happiness. And also, since when was Mae Whitman "ugly"?
Meh, whatever. This movie is already on a bad foot with me, but maybe we'll get something else when it hits cinemas in February (or April in the UK).