Buffaloed

Buffaloed is a rambunctious, fast-paced comedy/drama that debuted in 2019, directed by Tanya Wexler. The film combines smart storytelling, biting wit, and a spirited lead performance by Zoey Deutch, to create a compelling tale about the underbelly of debt collections in America. The movie is set against the backdrop of Buffalo, New York, and authentically presents the city's character as a piece of living Americana.

At the center of Buffaloed's narrative is Zoey Deutch's character, Peg Dahl. Peg is a fiery young woman with an unquenchable thirst for wealth, living in the blue-collar confines of Buffalo. Growing up, Peg develops a peculiar knack for making money, be it by scalping Bills' tickets or selling counterfeit Buffalo Sabres merchandise. However, her ambitions far exceed the confines of her hometown, and she dreams of escaping Buffalo's mundane life by joining an Ivy League university.

However, Peg's ambitious persona comes with a price. A brush with the law derails her plan, resulting in her university dreams being replaced with a sizable legal debt. This turning point transforms the movie into a relentless deep-dive into the world of debt-collecting, a foreign arena that Peg never envisioned but is destined to conquer.

Peg's engrossing journey into the debt collection world is intriguing, primarily due to her sparky personality and ruthless resolve. She's a fast-talking hustler with a lopsided moral compass, which Zoey Deutch brings to life with an unyielding energy. Her sharp wit and relentless aspiration act as the driving force behind the narrative, as she charts her way through the grimy underbelly of relentless debt collectors, uncovers shady business practices and plays by her own rules to outwit her sleazy competitors.

Jai Courtney, best known for his action roles, delivers a good performance as Wizz, Peg’s unprincipled adversary in the debt-collecting business. His buff exterior and manipulative persona directly contrast with Peg's relentless spirit, creating a dynamic power-struggle between the underdog and the seasoned pro.

Judy Greer, who plays Peg's mom, adds to the comedic quotient of the film while also providing an emotional underpinning to Peg's endeavors. Her character serves as a voice of reason and a moral compass for her daughter, averting the narrative from becoming an all-out hustle and grounding it within the realms of morality.

The film also expertly showcases the city of Buffalo as a pivotal character. Its depiction extends beyond location and infiltrates almost every aspect of the film, from the famous Buffalo wing flavor to the fervor for the local Bills. The cheeky inclusion of aspects specific to Buffalo—its love for TV gavel-to-gavel coverage of court trials, or the game-day ritual to show the fervor for the local football team—adds an extra layer of authenticity and idiosyncrasy to the narrative.

What sets Buffaloed apart from other tales of small-town hustlers is its unflinching gaze into the world of debt collection. The film sheds light on the legality and morality of debt collection, drawing attention to an issue that widely impacts American society but rarely makes its way to the silver screen.

Director Tanya Wexler skilfully maneuvers a tricky tonal balance, blending wacky humor with intimate character moments, and lacing it all with enough rollicking satire to keep us entertained while also shining a light on the dog-eat-dog world of debt collection.

Buffaloed is a movie that tells a unique and engaging story, showcasing the underdog's battles with a system that's designed for them to lose. It is a heist movie, a rags-to-riches tale, and a social commentary, all wrapped up in one brightly packaged film. The story is anchored by a magnetic performance from Zoey Deutch and buoyed by a witty script. Its anarchic spirit, alongside its social critique, makes Buffaloed a standout piece of cinema: wildly entertaining, painfully hilarious, and thought-provoking, while giving the viewer an authentic taste of modern Americana.