‘The Deb’ Review: Rebel Wilson’s Directorial Debut Is a Campy, Mixed-Bag Teen Musical

As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in virtual worlds, I can confidently say that “The Deb” is like a role-playing game with a unique twist. Much like leveling up my characters, Maeve’s character development is engaging and relatable, despite her initial reluctance to embrace the quirks of small-town life.

After Maeve (Charlotte MacInnes) is expelled from school due to a protest turning sour, her mom (Susan Prior), who’s the principal of the school, arranges for her to stay with her cousin Taylah (Natalie Abbott) in rural Australia.

In the fictional town of Dunburn, where Rebel Wilson’s first directorial effort, The Deb, takes place, a small community grapples with the aftermath of a long-term drought and neglect by national authorities. The local administration is struggling financially to keep their water resources operational and, in a comedic twist, they’ve produced a viral video to draw attention to their predicament. However, these problems are far from Maeve’s mind as she plans her departure from Dunburn upon arrival.

Debuting at the Toronto International Film Festival, the movie “The Deb” follows Maeve’s unusual experiences in the quaint town of Dunburn. Upon her arrival, the city-dwelling teenager scornfully dismisses the town’s old-fashioned customs, particularly the annual debutante ball that Taylah yearns to attend. Maeve fails to comprehend why her cousin would subject herself to such outdated grandeur. It doesn’t take long, however, for Maeve to recognize that she can’t so quickly dismiss this small town and its inhabitants.

The movie “The Deb” derives inspiration from the successful stage musical of the same name, penned by Hannah Reilly (who also contributes to the screenplay) and Meg Washington (serving as an executive producer). This is a humorous musical film that, in its portrayal of teenage life, may evoke thoughts of this year’s adaptation of “Mean Girls” musically. However, its storyline bears a strong resemblance to “Muriel’s Wedding”. The protagonist, Taylah, much like Muriel, is a kind-hearted girl from the countryside who yearns for love and social acceptance – a type of underdog movie character that has gained popularity since P.J. Hogan’s 1994 film was premiered at TIFF.

Instead of yearning for marriage like Muriel, Taylah seeks a partner for the debutante ball, a custom that brings her closer to her late mother. The story’s main events and the bond between Taylah and Maeve are primarily driven by their transformations, providing a touching, if somewhat expected, romantic connection to invest in. It is fortunate that MacInnes (who portrayed Maeve on stage) and Abbott wholeheartedly embody their characters and the over-the-top elements demanded by the musical film. Their acting, along with several other performances such as Shane Jacobson as Taylah’s father Rick and Tara Morice as a local seamstress, smooth over the more obvious plot conveniences.

In terms of its cinematic adaptation, “The Deb” faces challenges beyond the over-the-top and campy elements it embraces. The music, a modern mélange imitating various genres much like the covers in “Pitch Perfect,” offers some catchy tunes, but many are quickly forgotten after the credits roll. As for the direction by Wilson, it’s inconsistent, particularly in the middle of the film where it seems to rush through plot points to mask a thin narrative. This hasty approach disrupts the film’s rhythm and risks undermining its stronger aspects.

Similar to this year’s “Mean Girls”, the film “The Deb” effectively employs the devices of modern social media, such as altering its aspect ratio to resemble smartphones and incorporating platforms like TikTok or Instagram into its narrative. The movie begins with a powerful opening number (one of the film’s highlights) that sets the stage for Maeve’s life at an exclusive private school in Sydney. In this new teenage landscape, capturing every moment of their lives and engaging in behavior reminiscent of the Plastics – including mockery and meanness – is the norm.

These students are particularly sensitive to unfairness, which makes them stand up against oppressors rather than the oppressed. Maeve’s fame, whether in real life or online, comes from her vocal advocacy for feminist causes. However, she also exhibits bullying behavior, and when one of her political actions backfires, her peers seize the opportunity to tarnish her reputation. In a modern-day version of high-profile cancellations, Maeve withdraws from public view to contemplate her actions.

In the small town of Dunburn, city girl Maeve finds the atmosphere unfamiliar and longs for her old life in Sydney. From the moment she arrives, she secretly plans her escape, deciding to create a podcast documenting her rural experiences as a way back to the big city. She enlists Taylah’s help and centers their journey to the deb ball around the main storyline. Maeve conducts interviews with the local clique, consisting of Danielle (Brianna Bishop), Chantelle (Karis Oka), Annabelle (Stevie Jean), and Annabelle’s mother Janette, played by Wilson – a beautician who gives Regina George a run for her money in terms of being mean. As Maeve explores the town, she is also pursued by a mysterious figure named Mitch (Hal Cumpston), about whom we learn very little.

Much of the storyline in “The Deb” centers around Maeve hiding the real purpose of her podcast as she develops a sincere friendship with Taylah. However, there are other stories woven into this movie – one deals with the struggle of Dunburn, a town needing financial aid from the government, and another is the uncertain romance between Rick and Shell (Morice). These subplots are initially presented with impressive scenes, catchy music, and good dance choreography. But as the storylines deepen, the balance seems to falter. Despite its 2-hour length, some parts of “The Deb” can leave viewers feeling unsatisfied and shallow.

If the remainder of the film had come together in a meaningful way, its flaws could be overlooked, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. Much like Maeve’s encounter at Dunburn, The Deb proves to be an assortment of both positive and negative aspects.

2024-09-15 05:24

Read More