G.B.F.

G.B.F., released in 2013, is a vibrant and bold coming-of-age comedy directed by Darren Stein and starring Michael J. Willett, Paul Iacono, and Sasha Pieterse. The acronym in the title stands for "Gay Best Friend," and this film tackles the idea with a blend of humor, charm, and edge, offering viewers an incisive look into high school culture.

In this film, Michael J. Willett takes center stage as Tanner Daniels, a somewhat plain and introverted high-schooler who’s comfortably living in the shadow of his sarcastic and ostentatious best friend Brent Van Camp, played by Paul Iacono. They navigate the choppy waters of high school, standing out for their individuality, veiled in their secret identity as closeted gay teenagers.

The world of the film is largely dominated by high school tropes and the surreal world of high school popularity contests. The various cliques abound, and there's an ongoing battle for supremacy amongst the mean girls. This group is led by Fawcett Brooks, played by Sasha Pieterse, who is glamorous, imperious, and determined to retain her status as the school's queen bee.

A crucial twist in the film occurs when Tanner, through a series of unexpected events, becomes involuntarily outed. Suddenly in the limelight and designated as the school’s first openly gay student, he unwittingly becomes a must-have accessory for the school's three most popular girls. They see him not as a true friend but rather a status symbol, the "Gay Best Friend" that everyone desires for their cool clique. Tanner then becomes a pawn in their popularity battles and a tool to bolster their social standing.

As Tanner ferries between the popular groups, he finds himself distanced from his true friends, including Brent whose dream has always been to be the first to be out and ‘popular’ in the school. Meanwhile, Tanner has to deal with his newfound popularity, pressure from all sides, and the dilemmas of high school life, including the challenge of navigating his first real romantic relationship.

Adding to G.B.F.'s talent pool are comic talents like Megan Mullally, who plays Brent's adorably over-supportive mother, and Jonathan Silverman and Rebecca Gayheart as Tanner's clueless parents. Each adds a layer of comedic depth to the whole proceeding.

G.B.F. stands out for its ability to satirize and yet remain affectionate towards its subject matter. This is no mean feat given the multi-faceted issues of teen angst, identity, and the challenges of coming out that it navigates. Director Darren Stein, known for another cult teen classic, 'Jawbreaker', successfully injects an audacious humour into more profound themes of acceptance, friendship, identity, and the relentless pursuit of high school popularity with balance and care.

The screenplay by George Northy successfully takes familiar teen-movie conventions, flips them, and sprinkles them with snappy, sassy dialogues that manage to be witty and thought-provoking. His writing ensures that the film stays on an entertaining and light-hearted level while still commenting on societal expectations and attitudes towards homosexuality.

Stylistically, beyond its fun and chaotic storyline, G.B.F dazzles with its stylistic exuberance, featuring bold colors, vivid imagery, and provide a unique aesthetic experience. The soundtrack is also bolstered with killer pop tracks that amp up the movie's infectious energy further.

Above all, G.B.F. spins a tale of friendship and authenticity. It illustrates the pursuit of popularity, acceptance, navigating complex relationships, self-discovery, and the importance of staying true to oneself. This is encapsulated in Tanner's evolution throughout the film who finds himself in unexpected circumstances and ultimately learning to embrace himself.

Despite the comedic lens, G.B.F focuses on the powerful message that being a friend shouldn't be about what someone's status or perceived identity can offer. It emphasizes the importance of authenticity over popularity, and it cleverly explores and subverts stereotypes in an engaging and entertaining way.

Part comedy, part social commentary, 'G.B.F' offers an amusing, colorful, and thought-provoking journey through the roller coaster ride that is high school life. It's a film that's likely to charm those who enjoy tongue-in-cheek humor, satirical takes on high school hierarchies, and heart-warming coming-of-age tales.