The DUFF (standing for “Designated Ugly Fat Friend”) may have received backlash for its seemingly stereotypical title back when it was released in 2015, but the quirky teen comedy still provides a heartwarming message about loving yourself without comparison to others.
Based on the 2010 young adult novel of the same name by Kody Keplinger, The DUFF focuses on high school senior Bianca (Mae Whitman), who is content with her less-than-social status until she is made aware by her jock neighbor Wesley (Robbie Amell) that she is the “DUFF” of her group - AKA, the less cool one others use to gain access to her more attractive, more talented friends Jess (Skyler Samuels) and Casey (Bianca Santos).
Bianca becomes furious and accuses her friends of hanging out with her to look better by comparison - despite their protests, she officially “unfriends” them and becomes determined to “un-DUFF” herself.
When Bianca overhears that Wesley may fail science and lose his scholarship, she proposes a pact: she will help him pass his science class if he will help her become less of a “DUFF.”
While The DUFF hits all of the teen movie marks (high school stereotypes, mall montage, end-of-movie makeover), it never treats Bianca as someone who needed changing - only someone who had to re-recognize her own self-worth.
The film also differs from previous entries in the genre by tackling themes of cyberbullying, specifically through social media. Mean girl Madison (Bella Thorne), who also happens to be Wesley’s ex-girlfriend, becomes jealous of Bianca and Wesley’s friendship and is determined to take her down by whatever means necessary. When Wesley takes Bianca to the mall to break out of her shell, Madison makes sure that embarrassing videos of Bianca acting silly are forwarded to the whole school.
While Bianca is originally humiliated, she comes around to accepting the fact that everyone is a “DUFF” in their own way: you will always have insecurities, and you will always find someone else to compare yourself to.
Raunchy and earnest at the same time, The DUFF is a feel-good movie about loving yourself when it seems like the internet has only made it too easy to highlight your flaws. The film succeeds based on the cast’s chemistry alone (especially between Whitman and Amell) and still manages to pull off a powerful message without being too preachy. The script’s references to Vine and other discontinued apps may be dated, but the moral remains just as relevant.
What type of library programming could use this title?
The DUFF could be a valuable addition to library programming, particularly in highlighting the effects of bullying and social media on today's youth. This film provides a relatable and engaging way to discuss these important issues, offering a starting point for conversations and activities aimed at raising awareness and promoting empathy among young viewers. Additionally, The DUFF fits seamlessly into events focusing on the teenage experience, capturing the complexities and challenges of high school life. By incorporating this film into your programming, you can create a platform for discussing critical topics such as self-esteem, peer pressure, and the impact of social media on mental health. This can be complemented with discussions, workshops, and support groups to further explore these themes and provide a supportive environment for teens to share their experiences and learn from one another.