Film Review: The DUFF

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The DUFF. Rated M (sexual references and coarse language). 101 minutes. Directed by Ari Sandel. Screenplay by Josh Cagan, based on the novel by Kody Keplinger.

Verdict: An entertaining romantic comedy with a difference.

Buried within the plethora of films about young female heroines fighting to survive in doom-laden, post-apocalyptic frontiers, is this engaging story about a young women’s fight for an entirely different kind of survival.

Bianca (Mae Whitman) is a super-intelligent, horror movie buff who is shocked to learn that she is considered to be a DUFF (designated ugly fat friend), whose sole purpose in life is to introduce her gorgeous girlfriends to their prospective boyfriends. Determined to change the way she is perceived by her friends, and also be capable of saying more than two words to her crush Toby (Nick Eversman), Bianca enlists the help of college football star and childhood friend Wesley (Robbie Amell) to help her change the rules of engagement.

On the surface, The DUFF looks and feels like a run-of-the-mill collision between Mean Girls and Ugly Betty, and while it certainly mixes it with its celebrated predecessors, it is the wonderfully engaging performances from stars Whitman and Amell that ensure The DUFF has a rock solid heart of gold.

Whitman (Arrested Development, Parenthood) is a revelation in the leading role. Not only is she a marvellous comedienne, but also equally as strong when Bianca finds herself navigating the emotional minefield created by the devastating effects of cyber bullying. Her loneliness, fear and despair are deeply affecting, and Amell’s (The CW’s The Tomorrow People) fine, understated performance lends Whitman perfect support.

Sandel, whose West Bank Story (2005) won the 2007 Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film, guides the action with a skilfully assured hand – making the fact that The DUFF is his feature length film directorial debut even harder to believe.

This review was commissioned by the West Australian Newspaper Group.