TIFF Next Wave 2014: G.B.F. – Film Review

Director: Darren Stein
Writer: George Northy
Actors: Michael J. Willett, Paul Iacono, Sasha Pieterse
Rating: NYR
Runtime: 92 min

One thing the world does not need is another run-of-the-mill high school prom movie. These films abound, and often tread over the same well-worn ground time and time again. Director Darren Stein’s new film, G.B.F., offers a new angle on this classic concept. The clichés may still be present, but once one moves past them, there are enough original ideas here for this film to be considered unique, at least within the genre, and to offer something valuable to its predominantly teenaged audience.

G.B.F.

From it’s fun and stylized opening, G.B.F., which stands for “Gay Best Friend,” makes it clear that it is geared towards a young, cool crowd, and the storyline is right up their alley. Cute, shy, and unassuming high school senior Tanner (Michael J. Willett) is mortified when he accidentally becomes the first gay student at his school to come out of the closet. He quickly finds himself at the centre of a battle for his friendship, as the three queen bees, Fawcett (Sasha Pieterse), ‘Shley (Andrea Bowen), and Caprice (Xosha Roquemore) believe that having him as their “gay best friend” will help them in their quests to secure the coveted title of Prom Queen. As Tanner navigates within his new status, facing macho bullies and discrimination, he finds himself learning about the true meaning of friendship and the difficulties of accepting yourself as you really are.

G.B.F.

A sweet protagonist is presented in Tanner, who never loses his wide-eyed innocence even as he transforms from invisible to popular. Indeed, most of the characters here are likeable people, even the seemingly cold and powerful girls who end up having hearts of gold. The screenplay is witty, although never too sharp, and although it is rife with sexuality jokes, they are of a harmless variety and mainly poke fun at lack of acceptance and homophobia as opposed to the gay individuals themselves. Indeed, this film is not afraid to mock religion as well, so that the deprecating humour is evenly spread and no one group is able to become particularly offended.

G.B.F.

Inevitably, G.B.F. is a high school prom movie, and so the clichés of such a film, such as the slow-motion hallway strut, the scheming hot girls, and the over-the-top house party, are present. However, there truly is something more at work here. Films such as this one may not paint an accurate picture of high school life, but that is not their intention. I believe that this film aims to teach a valuable less through entertainment, and there it succeeds with flying colours. This work is not realism, but that’s not what this audience is seeking. Instead of presenting only sexiness, silliness, and sting, as do many films within this genre, G.B.F. goes deeper and offers something more. These characters aren’t real, and people don’t talk like they do, but they are lovable nonetheless, and through them, an audience is given an opportunity to learn a great deal.

G.B.F.

With an ending that may leave one familiar with this often biting genre surprised, G.B.F. chooses to reveal intrinsic goodness as opposed to teenage cruelty. The film is funny, and witty enough to be highly entertaining, but it also has a good and important message. Despite my general disinterest in the genre, I found myself really enjoying G.B.F. This film has a big heart, and I suppose that if young people can learn something valuable through entertainment, then all the better.

Screening Time: Sunday, February 16th at 6:15pm at the TIFF Bell Lightbox