The 90's and early 2000's produced Clueless, 10 Things I Hate About You, She's All That and Mean Girls. These will live on in this late 80's child's mind as classics. They are filled with memorable quotes and stars that were just coming on the scene. Who didn't want to date Paul Rudd, Freddie Prinze Jr. or Heath Ledger? Who envied Cher's closet? Or hoped that you weren't the Karen of your group?
The Duff was released recently and I had the pleasure of seeing it tonight. I enjoyed it. I sat amongst teens and laughed more than they did. Maybe it's because I could relate to Bianca (Mae Whitman) or maybe because I actually know who Bela Lugosi is. As I watched I began thinking of Ten Things I Hate About You. There were a lot of comparisons. They both include characters named Bianca, a girl who is shunned for being different, a good looking guy as a friend/suitor, a dance and Allison Janney.
Will The Duff go down as a "classic"? Probably not, but that's ok. It gives girls the message of empowerment. You are more than what other people see you as. This can also be found in one of my other favorite teen movies, Easy A. Side note, Emma Stone was, is and will always be awesome. Emma Is Awesome! These movies can speak to young people; and I hope they do.
I hope that movies inspire others as much as they inspire me. Movies have always been in my life. They are an escape from the real world. They are the windows into a world not unlike our own, but with a bit more polish and fairytale notions. They are perfectly imperfect, just like us.
