Yesterday my cousin and I went to this movie. I wanted to go because:
1. I met the author my first year at the book Expo in 2010 (she was 17 at the time)
2. I read the book and was not a fan.
Book Synopsis:
Bianca has two popular and gorgeous best friends. The three have hung out together for years and while Bianca does not care about fashion or getting up two hours early to do her hair and make up for school it has always been a non issue.
Until now.
At a party, the hot popular guy that Bianca has her eye on, Wesley Rush takes advantage of Bianca’s feelings for him and then tells Bianca she is the DUFF of the group. Designated Ugly Fat Friend. Naturally Bianca is offended, but Wesley says not to take it so literally, it just means that she hangs out with friends that are much hotter than herself, making her the approachable one to get information. Wes explains that every group has one.
Over the next few days Bianca starts to notice that what Wes said might be true. Guys did approach her to get information on her friends dating status. With Bianca’s home life a mess with her fathers alcoholism and no one really to turn too Bianca throws all caution to the wind and sets her eyes on a goal that seems impossible…
Wes.
Ok that was based off the book synopsis…. the book had quite a few teenage sexual encounters and Bianca although being put down by Wesley could not seem to stop herself from coming back for more. I did read this book almost 5 years ago now so a lot of the details are fuzzy, but I do remember not liking all the extreme sexual content. I also did not like the idea of what a word like DUFF could do to a young girls image… if a young girl already had self esteem issues, reading this book I feared could make her even more so.
the movie synopsis was somewhat QUITE a bit different.
Movie synopsis:
Bianca has two popular and gorgeous best friends. The three have hung out together for years and while Bianca does not care about fashion or getting up two hours early to do her hair and make up for school it has always been a non issue.
Until now.
Bianca goes to a party at the most popular girl in schools home it hopes to see her crush Toby. When her hot neighbor the popular Wesley Rush that Bianca can not stand tells her that she is the DUFF of her group of friends, Bianca is offended. She leaves the party early. At home she has no one to talk to as her divorced mother is a published Life After Divorce guru with her mind set on publicity events and what to wear. Bianca decides if she is not part of a group she will not be the duff, so she proceeds to dump both of her bewildered best friends.
Bianca makes a deal with Wesley to help him with his failing grade in science if he helps her to sharper up her image to get Toby’s attention. By working together the two discover they have more in common then they thought.
The movie is a lot different from the book. There is no sex (YAY!). Bianca’s dad is already out of the picture in the movie (probably due to the alcoholism and divorce). Wesley is not an ass, in fact quite likable and you route for him. Madison, the popular mean girl ex girlfriend/girlfriend of Wesley is an awesome addition to the movie but does not appear in the book. There is also a funny teacher who really takes Bianca under his arm who also does not appear in the book.
While book (my original review) and movie are different, the ending good message is the same. It was curiosity that made me see the movie made from this debut book, and I am glad I did. The movie is really funny. My cousin and I laughed out loud many times. To me it flowed better than the book did, but at the same time it gave me a new appreciation for the book and it’s overall message.
See the movie – at a PG13 rating it is a fun one and yay to author Kody Keplinger! What an exciting moment this has to be!
**Fun Fact: At the end of the movie there is a quick cameo from author Kody Keplinger. If you do not know what she looks like you may miss it.
Book Journey 
I applaud you for even bothering to go to see a movie based on a book you didn’t like and I’m glad it worked out.
I have really not been into movies at all for the longest time. Even Benedict Cumberbatch didn’t get me out to the theater. What’s wrong with me? LOL!
I was so curious and I had heard it was good 😉
I disagree I think the message about how reality is impossible to escape is the most important lesson our society can teach a generation who can escape reality just by using the internet on their cellphones.
Oh I agree with you there, but that whole cell phone thing and the video going viral is not in the book. That was just in the movie.:)
I kind of want to see this movie after reading your review but I’ll wait till it’s on DVD. Sounds like it is one of those rare cases where the movie is better than the book!
I thought so 🙂
I was not a fan of the book, but I kind of hate the plot they changed it to in the movie. I don’t like that it becomes another makeover movie where a guy doesn’t realize his true feelings for a girl until she changes everything about herself. That just rubs me the wrong way.
I liked that towards the end when Bianca was all dressed up for her date Wes said he liked her as she was before. I think that was a big moment in the book meaning she did not have to change for him.
I was the opposite … I actually quite liked the book but the movie didnt especially impress me. I thought it was such a cliche high school movie, whereas the book was a little bit different than I expected. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! ❤ Bee @ Bee Reads Books
Thanks! I thought the movie was funny – I loved the hash tags 🙂
I never read the book, I kept meaning too but never got around to it. I am interested to see the movie especially if it is better than the book, plus I always like a good laugh. I am glad the movie worked for you. Happy weekend.
It made me laugh 🙂
I really enjoyed this book. I can see where it would be concerning for parents of younger teenagers with all the casual sex, but the truth is that teenagers that age *are* having sex, whether people like it or not. Not all of them, certainly, but enough that I thought this book was pretty realistic.
I was hesitant about the movie; not sure why they had to change the plot so much. But since you enjoyed it so much, maybe I will see it. I do love Mae Whitman! (her?)
I think that is what bothered me about the book – the sex and the fact that he was a jerk to her but she kept after him.
When I started seeing the trailers, I pulled out the book but I haven’t read it yet. I was never fat but I think I was probably the DUFF way back when – the awkward, uncool, flat-chested friend – so I thought maybe I could relate to it. Now I’m wondering if I should skip the book and just see the movie.
I think in a way we are all the DUFF in some scenario Kathy 🙂 I liked that about the movie – they get to that there will always be someone prettier, or smarter, or faster, or more fit….
I hadn’t heard of this book and only just started hearing about the movie in recent days. I had no idea what it was all about – but like the underlying messages I guess. We’ve had a lot of 80s feel-good movies on TV lately (the John Hughes stuff) – Breakfast Club, 16 Candles, Some Kind of Wonderful… all with great messages. (Albeit now a bit cheesy)
It was good, but being an 80s girl… not 80’s good 😉
That’s good that the ending gives a good message. I’m not sure on this film though, I think it’s because I’ve been reading too much new adult lately, I’m all young adult/new adult drama’d out lol.
LOL, I think this worked for me because i have been reading so much adult lately that a good YA movie was perfect 🙂
This is rare when the movie is better. I wanted to see it after seeing Mae Whitman, whom I loved on Parenthood, on Kelly and Michael.
I liked the changes they made in the movie, they made for a lighter experience.
I was never in a hurry to read the book because of all the sex (I am not fond of it) but I just watched the trailer AND OMFG I AM LAUGHING TO KINGDOM COME. I really want to watch the movie. Seriously, I do. I GOT CHILLS FROM IT.
Faye at The Social Potato
Yes the trailer and movie are awesome – go see ti with no fears 😉
aw I remember meeting the author at that BEA, too! thanks for the review, I want to see it now!
Didn’t even know about the book but love Mae Whitman so want to see this one!