The DUFF is a 2015 American teen comedy film directed by Ari Sandel. The screenplay was written by Josh Cagan and is based on the 2010 novel of the same name by Kody Keplinger. The film features actors Mae Whitman, Robbie Amell, Bella Thorne, Nick Eversman, Skyler Samuels, Bianca Santos, Allison Janney, and Ken Jeong.
The film was released on February 20, 2015, by CBS Films through Lionsgate. CBS Films, along with Vast Entertainment and Wonderland Sound and Vision, produced the movie. This was the first film for which Lionsgate took over CBS Films' distribution role. Critics gave the film positive reviews, especially praising Mae Whitman's acting. The movie was compared to other popular teen films, such as Mean Girls (2004) and Easy A (2010). With a budget of $8.5 million, the film earned $43 million at the box office.
Plot
Bianca is in her senior year of high school in the suburbs of Atlanta. She lives with her two best friends, Jess and Casey, who are more popular than she is. Her neighbor is Wesley, the captain of the football team, who was her childhood friend.
Bianca goes to a party hosted by Madison, a girl who is not kind to others. Madison is Wesley's girlfriend, though they are not always together. Bianca attends the party to speak with Toby, a boy who plays the guitar. At the party, Wesley tells Bianca that she is the "DUFF" of her friend group. DUFF stands for "Designated Ugly Fat Friend." Wesley explains that the DUFF is not necessarily someone who is unattractive or heavy, but rather the person in a group who is less popular and therefore easier for others to connect with. Bianca feels hurt, but she later realizes that students at her school are only interested in her because of her friends Jess and Casey.
Bianca becomes angry with Jess and Casey and stops being friends with them online and in person. Later, she hears Wesley's science teacher, Mr. Fillmore, tell Wesley that he must pass a test to stay on the football team, which could cost him his scholarship. To improve her social status and ask Toby out, Bianca makes a deal with Wesley: she will help him pass his class if he helps her socially. The two spend time together at a mall, where they buy new clothes.
Unbeknownst to Bianca, Madison's friend records her playing with new clothes and pretending a mannequin is Toby. Madison shares the video online to embarrass Bianca, as she is jealous of Bianca's friendship with Wesley. Wesley advises Bianca to be honest with Toby and ask him out directly. She does so, and to her surprise, Toby agrees. Bianca takes Wesley to a special place in the forest, called her "think rock," to help him deal with problems at home. They kiss, but they joke about it and pretend it didn't happen.
Bianca goes on a date with Toby at his house. She thinks about Wesley but tries to ignore it. Later, she learns that Toby was only spending time with her to get closer to Jess and Casey. She confronts Toby, who acts shallow, and leaves the date in tears. While looking for Wesley, she finds him at the think rock kissing Madison.
Angry with both boys, Bianca reconnects with her friends, who were always kind to her. With their help and her mother, Dottie, Bianca decides to attend the homecoming dance wearing a dress they make together, using pieces from her old clothes. At the dance, Bianca follows Wesley's advice and tells him she likes him. However, Wesley says he is back with Madison, who insults Bianca.
Bianca gives a final speech to Madison, telling her that everyone can be a DUFF because there is always someone "better." She says that Madison's bullying shows her own insecurities. When Madison is crowned homecoming queen and Wesley is named king, he refuses the title and kisses Bianca in front of the school.
Bianca writes an article about her homecoming experience, which becomes popular among students. She is accepted to Northwestern University, and Wesley goes to Ohio State University. The two go to dinner as a couple.
Production
In November 2011, CBS Films bought the rights to the novel with the same name written by Kody Keplinger. Josh A. Cagan was hired to turn the book into a screenplay. He used the Kübler-Ross model of five emotional stages to help the story flow better. The screenplay was listed on the Black List of best unproduced screenplays in 2011.
Ari Sandel joined the project in May 2013. On April 9, 2014, Mae Whitman was cast as the main character. Keplinger had imagined Whitman in the role before the book was released, after seeing her on the show Parenthood. The cast expanded with the addition of Bella Thorne on April 30, Ken Jeong on May 12, Skyler Samuels on May 22, Robbie Amell and Bianca A. Santos on May 27, and Allison Janney on June 10.
Principal photography started in Atlanta, Georgia, in June 2014 and ended on July 9, 2014. Locations used during filming included Henry W. Grady High School, Marietta High School, Perimeter Mall, the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Stone Mountain Park, and a local Dave and Buster's.
The official movie soundtrack for The DUFF was released digitally on February 17, 2015, by Island Records.
Release
The film was released on February 20, 2015, by CBS Films through Lionsgate. It was later released on digital high definition on May 26, 2015. The DVD and Blu-ray versions came out on June 9, 2015, by Lionsgate Home Entertainment.
The DUFF earned $34 million in the United States and Canada, and $9.7 million in other countries, totaling $43.7 million worldwide. This amount was compared to a budget of $8.5 million.
In North America, the movie opened at number five during its first weekend, earning $10.8 million. It came after Fifty Shades of Grey, Kingsman: The Secret Service, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, and McFarland, USA.
Reception
The film received mostly positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, 73% of 120 critics gave the film a positive review, with an average rating of 6.1 out of 10. The site’s critics consensus says: “The DUFF doesn’t achieve teen-movie greatness, but offers enough of a postmodern twist on the genre to recommend—and boasts typically great work from star Mae Whitman.” On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 56 out of 100 based on 28 reviews, indicating “mixed or average reviews.” Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film a grade of “A−” on a scale from A to F.
Lindsey Bahr of the Associated Press gave the film a positive review, saying, “While it’s neither as biting as Mean Girls nor as sweetly referential as Easy A, the earnest and sometimes amusing The DUFF is a fine addition to the canon.” Sheri Linden of The Hollywood Reporter gave the film a positive review, saying, “Its central pair of unlikely allies will engage young audiences’ sympathy. They’re smartly played by Mae Whitman and Robbie Amell, whose warmth and comic chops keep the movie buoyant.” Kevin P. Sullivan of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a B−, saying, “The DUFF won’t stay with you far past its runtime. But as a vehicle, it’s ample proof that we should be seeing more of Mae Whitman.” Amy Nicholson of LA Weekly gave the film a C, saying, “The DUFF doesn’t seem to know what its point actually is. It’s pro-self-acceptance and also pro-makeover. It’s about liking yourself, and how you’d like yourself better with a boyfriend.” Inkoo Kang of TheWrap gave the film a positive review, saying, “Mae Whitman reveals herself to be one of the funniest actresses of her generation in a spot-on and endlessly quotable take on teenage ‘dramz’ in 2015.” Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune gave the film two out of four stars, saying, “You know what would be revolutionary? Making a really good movie about a three-dimensional teenage female character that doesn’t start and finish with both eyes on the same old punishing character types.”
Ann Hornaday of The Washington Post gave the film zero stars out of four, saying, “What might have been a frank portrayal of high school culture and challenges ends up veering between being either too cynically hyper-sexual or preachy.” Rafer Guzman of Newsday gave the film three and a half out of four stars, saying, “A smart, funny, straight-talking teen movie in the John Hughes tradition. Oodles of charm from the young cast.” Claudia Puig of USA Today gave the film two out of four stars, saying, “Mae Whitman is the best thing here, and the funny actress deserves better material than what’s offered in this derivative and superficial ode to teen self-acceptance.” Betsy Sharkey of the Los Angeles Times gave the film a negative review, saying, “Romance, or the desire to find someone special, isn’t a bad thing—if it’s not the only thing. But as it stands in DUFF, the denouement at prom has cliché written all over it.” Christy Lemire of RogerEbert.com gave the film three out of four stars, saying, “Whitman displays flawless comic timing and consistently makes inspiring choices in terms of delivery, reaction, even the slightest facial expression. She shines confidently in a self-deprecating role, and it’s irresistible.” Bilge Ebiri of New York magazine gave the film a positive review, saying, “Why is it so wonderful? Because wit and charm matter, and The DUFF has a good deal of both. The cast will be stars, the gags will be immortal, and you’ll still be watching this movie years from now.” David Lewis of the San Francisco Chronicle gave the film three out of four stars, saying, “Sandel’s film has heart, some good laughs and a decent message. In this age of cyberbullying, that’s nothing to scoff at.”