G.B.F.
2014 · Directed by Darren Stein
Original language: English
- comedy
- drama
The story
The bitter fight for supremacy between the three most popular girls at North Gateway High takes an unexpected turn when their classmate, Tanner, is outed and becomes the school’s first openly gay student. The trio races to bag the big trend in fashion accessories, the Gay Best Friend, while Tanner must decide whether his skyrocketing popularity is more important than the friendships he is leaving behind.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated teen-comedy palette: pastel-candy hallways, glossy suburban lawns, high-key lighting that keeps every frame cheerful and a little overexposed, with the cafeteria and cheerleading scenes cut fast and bouncing to pop-rock and electro-pop. The camera stays busy and playful, with quick zooms, split-screen gags and direct-to-camera asides that make the school feel like a fashion spread gone slightly wrong. Vibe: breezy, sharp-tongued, satirical sweetness, best watched on a lazy afternoon or as a light comfort rewatch when you want something fizzy. The pacing is brisk and gossipy, the tone amused rather than cruel, and the arc follows a closeted teen discovering that being seen can mean losing and finding friends, while the girls' rivalry gets skewered as shallow. Intensity is low: mostly verbal teasing and some bullying and homophobic jabs, with mild sexual innuendo and kissing; no real violence. Suits viewers who enjoy Mean Girls-style satire and gentle LGBT coming-out stories with a heart.
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