The Duff Movie Review

So last night we went out on a total GNO, like we usually do for page to premieres... We got on our bedroom slippers, threw on some yoga pants, grabbed some candy and headed out to our local theater for the 7oclock showing of The Duff. For those of you that might not know this movie is based off a book, The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger. From the previews, we knew that this was going to be a loose adaptation of the book, but we were excited nonetheless. 

The book follows 17-year-old Bianca Piper. She's the average looking, smart, quirky girl in her group of friends. Bianca has never had a problem being the less noticeable girl in the group until one night the most popular jock in school, Wesley Rush, tells her shes the "DUFF". 

The movie did an EXCELLENT job of taking what was on the pages of Keplinger's book and making it into something more. We went into this knowing that it was going be a "new age" version of Mean Girls, and suspected that's probably where it would stop and would more than likely fall on the side of way to grilled cheesy... BUT, this movie turned out to be a nice surprise. It was funny, witty, had great chosen actors, and went better than the book did. We spent most of the movie laughing our heads off at the witty jokes. I (Leah) know that I could relate to Bianca on SO many levels and every time she would say or do something hilariously awkward I would be like "OMG THAT IS SO ME" in my head!

Robbie Amell did an amazing job portraying jock turned nice guy Wesley, while giving his character both life

and humor. Skyler Samuels and Bianca Santos who played her best friends Casey and Jess were both sweet and well chosen sub characters. Bella Thorne who plays Madison, Bianca enemy in the film was someone I (Angela) thought was an interesting and not-so-good fit for the new Regina George in this movie. I again found myself pleasantly surprised. She ended up playing the part rather well. There's no doubt though who stole the show;  yes it was Ms. Bianca Piper herself. Mae Whitman was the perfect choice to play Bianca. She was funny, quirky, and took the character to the next level. She was just overall well portrayed. The movie also does a really great job with its supporting characters, such as teachers and Bianca's mom. They add an extra level of funny to the plot that you don't expect.

The movie itself was rocking just under two hours and I think that was the perfect length for this film. The Duff movie did an amazing job capturing what high meanness is really like all while managing to make audiences laugh. I know a lot of people are saying that this movie seems mean because it's focusing around just a negative word, but well let you know first hand it's not! It's just a coming of age story that shows a girl figuring out that high-school doesn't define you. You definitely have to not judge the book or the movie by the cover on this one. It starts out focusing on the negative but by the end you have a feel good story that leaves you walking away with a good message about being yourself.


Angela's Rating- 10/10 Stars (I liked it way better than the book)
Leah's Rating- 10/10 stars (Me too!!)