Duff (The)
- Director: Ari Sandel
- Writer: Josh A. Cagan; Kody Keplinger
- Producer: Steven Bello; Josh A. Cagan
CGiii Comment
We watched 3 minutes...then, ran towards the hills screaming.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Bianca is a content high school senior whose world is shattered when she learns the student body knows her as 'The DUFF' (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) to her prettier, more popular friends. Now, despite the words of caution from her favorite teacher, she puts aside the potential distraction of her crush, Toby, and enlists Wesley, a slick but charming jock, to help reinvent herself. To save her senior year from turning into a total disaster, Bianca must find the confidence to overthrow the school's ruthless label maker Madison and remind everyone that no matter what people look or act like, we are all someone's DUFF.
This teen comedy about the danger of labels included a gay character who appeared solely for a seconds-long punchline. While establishing mean girl Madison as the most popular girl at school, narrator and lead character Bianca says that even gay men want to sleep with her, followed by a shot of an effeminate student saying that he would sleep with Madison “but I wouldn’t like it.” A series of bloopers and behind-the-scenes moments play during the film’s final credits, including a scene of two male teachers sharing a messy kiss in a moment played for laughs. These scenes appear even more outdated in a movie which encourages viewers to look beyond superficial labels and stereotypes.
We watched 3 minutes...all that wasted time saved.
Cast & Characters
Mae Whitman as Bianca Piper;
Robbie Amell as Wesley Rush;
Bella Thorne as Madison Morgan;
Bianca A. Santos as Casey;
Skyler Samuels as Jess;
Romany Malco as Principal Buchanan;
Nick Eversman as Toby;
Chris Wylde as Mr. Filmore;
Ken Jeong as Mr. Arthur;
Allison Janney as Dottie;
Rebecca Weil as Caitlyn;
Seth Meriwether as A.J.;
Erick Chavarria as Senor Gomez;
Brian Dewar McNamara as Matt;
Benjamin Davis as Jeffrey