F the Prom

Campy teen flick not as bad as detractors say

RELEASED IN 2017 and directed by Benny Fine, "F the Prom” is a campy high school dramedy about two inseparable neighbor-friends, Cole (Joel Courtney) and Maddy (Danielle Campbell), who separate when they enter high school wherein Cole is relentlessly teased while Maddy becomes the most popular girl. When they reunite two and a half years later, they scheme to destroy the Prom (the ultimate teen popularity contest) teamed with a ragtag gang of outcasts.

There are a lot of 1 Star votes (out of 10) of this movie on IMDb, which is absurd. While this may be a low-budget teen flick, it’s not THAT bad. Many of these critics lament how unrealistic the movie is, which is ridiculous in light of its campy tone. It would be like criticizing the 60’s Batman TV show for being unrealistic. In other words, there’s a lot of silliness and exaggerations in “F the Prom,” but it’s intentional. Underneath it all, the movie reflects several real-life issues, mostly pertaining to popularity and the drive to be liked. Others argue that the point is elusive and characters contradict themselves. No, the point(s) are obvious and some characters change their minds because they’re fickle teens.

This is a solid low-budget high school flick, but it’s a little too talky for my tastes. And I guess the staple “gay” character is here to stay at this juncture, but the movie wins points for boldly illustrating that even gays have their cliques and shun those who don’t conform.

Campbell and Madelaine Petsch are solid on the female front, but the director could’ve showcased their beauty better (and I’m not talking about nudity). Meg DeLacy is intelligent & winsome as Stuft (aka City) and has a beautiful face, but needs to gain some curves.

THE FILM RUNS 1 hour, 32 minutes and was shot in Southern Cal. WRITERS: The Fine Brothers and Molly Prather.

GRADE: C

F The Prom? F This Film! High school prom. A seemingly rather important and colossal event of a student’s educational career for friends across the pond. Here, it’s not so much a big deal. We formally dress up, stand awkwardly whilst our parents take photos and attempt to enjoy the evening by patiently waiting for it to end. The Fine Brothers, of ‘React’ YouTube video fame, yearned to convey the significance of such an event through an insight into modern day schools, where students are more concerned about popularity and Instagram followers instead of the legitimate grading system. Where fathers are more inclined to spur their sons into getting laid, and teachers couldn’t give a toss about their jobs. Hyperbolised unrealistic bullying, where the teachers also join in laughing, to showcase victimisation and how the pressured can overcome their peers by staging a ‘Carrie’ remake at prom.

I’m sure the Fine Brothers just wanted to make a “relatable” high school comedy, yet somehow produced the most toxic piece of glorification that is dangerous more than entertaining. Literally the most disagreeable “film” (more like a super-extended YouTube clip) I’ve seen. Let’s dissect.

The writing is problematic with every line spoken. Issues that should not be joked about, are definitely tackled here, to which the intended audience are young impressionable teens. Anti-semitism, revenge porn, homophobia, misogyny, speech impediments, paedophilic comments from the frickin’ school principal as she flashes her cleavage to all the students. Drugging colleagues, misusing selfies, tarnishing ‘The Breakfast Club’, ruining Courtney’s career after ‘Super 8’ and generally being insensitive. If the target here was to offend everyone, well, mission accomplished!

In what planet does a father try to convince their son to quickly have sex at prom? In what galaxy does the school principal shout “use a condom, or pull out!”? In what universe does a “popular” girl spout “moments like this should be unfiltered”? F off! My cringe capacity is shattered beyond repair.

No school year would remember derogatory nicknames, such as “tighty” or “sweats”, three years since whatever incident occurred. I farted once in a geography lesson, I couldn’t hold it in so you can’t blame me! The class laughed for the entire lesson, including the teacher. Naturally, I was embarrassed. But my classmates at the time didn’t bring it up and make fun of me three years later!? That’s just fabricated unrealism so that the Fine Bros could hone in on the “popularity ruins unpopular kids’ feelings” message. But when those unpopular kids then bully those that are deemed popular, the message dissipates. It’s gone. Vanished. F’d off back to the underworld or wherever bad scripts end up. The studio shredder, probably.

Do people still talk in abbreviations like “TTYL”, “BRB” and “LOL”? I thought we moved on from that as an intelligent species. I needn’t comment on the mediocre acting that resembled a Disney Channel original feature. Nor the noticeable foundation on everyone’s face so that all the pubescent acne is covered up. I was honestly waiting for this to turn into a musical, where they brutally murder original songs including “Gays Are Bad”, “Selfies First, Questions Later” and “My Dad Wants Me To F You Right Now, Not The Prom”.

It’s clear this is written by a middle-aged man trying ever so hard to relate to the current generation of teens. It can be done. I’ve seen it done! Yet the Fine Bros managed to insult nearly everyone in the process, by transforming an innocent school comedy into an unfunny manipulative piece of derogative toxicity. Not only is it one of the worst films I’ve had the displeasure of watching, it’s near unwatchable. Heck, I was offended myself. Anyway, G2G and cancel my Netflix subscription so that I’m not tempted by F-ing rubbish like this again. LMFAO. ROFLCOPTER. FML.

Good watch, could watch again, and can recommend.

To be fair, there isn't anything super special about this, but it's of good quality. It's a "girl next door", "mean girls", "revenge on the popular clique" mix of tropes.

The acting, writing, and production quality are all decent, and I particularly like Madelaine Petsch's mean girl portrayal.

It's really awkward because I don't really have any big complaints, nor anything to rave about.

If you like "high school drama", then give this a go.