I got an early screener for The Deb, which premiered in Australia earlier this year and is set to release in the UK on August 24 and the U.S. on August 25. I went into this knowing very little about the film, and honestly, I think that worked in its favor. I wanted to experience the movie for what it is.
If you are a musical junkie and love musicals, there is a pretty good chance you are going to enjoy The Deb.
The film stars Charlotte McKinney, Natalie Abbott, and Stevie Jean, along with Rebel Wilson, who also steps into the director’s chair. I really want to put the spotlight on the three young women because there is a ton of talent here. The singing is good, the acting is good, and they bring a lot to the film. There is no question that these are talented performers.
And then there is the music.
These songs are bangers.
That was one of the biggest things that worked for me. I also appreciated that The Deb actually feels like a musical. Lately, I’ve watched some musicals that have left me wondering where the choreography and big production numbers went. You don’t get that here. There is plenty of dancing, choreography, and large-scale musical production, and for the most part, it is done well.
It also feels very modern. You’re not going into The Deb expecting some nostalgic throwback to the classic musicals of the past. This is very much made for today’s audience, and it delivers a cohesive piece of entertainment around that.
Where I think the film starts to stumble is in the directing.
There are moments where I can see exactly what Rebel Wilson was going for, and there are some genuinely beautiful shots. One scene in particular, during “In the Spotlight”,” features Charlotte McKinney and Natalie Abbott’s characters performing around these large shipping containers. Visually, there are some really great choices happening in that sequence.
Then there are moments where I’m sitting there thinking, Why did they direct somebody to do that?
There is one particular moment where Natalie Abbott’s character is sitting down and then has to get up, and the transition feels incredibly awkward. It’s a small thing, but those moments stand out to me because they could have been made so much smoother. There are several instances where I could see the vision behind a scene, but the execution doesn’t always get there.
The pacing also feels off at times, and again, I think some of that comes back to the directing.
Story-wise, The Deb is going to appeal to a very specific demographic, most likely younger girls and young women who can connect with what these characters are going through. There are definitely tropes here, but the story comes from a stage musical that has already been adapted for the screen. At its core, it follows two teenage girls and their cousins as they try to find self-acceptance in their own ways while living in a small Australian outback town.
There are moments where that really works.
Overall, The Deb is a film that is worth checking out, especially if you love musicals. Even if the story doesn’t completely grab you, the music, choreography, singing, and performances give you plenty to enjoy.
I’m giving The Deb a solid 2.5 out of 5 stars.
A lot of that rating comes down to the talent you see on screen and the music. There is a lot of talent here, and I think that deserves to be recognized.
The Deb hits the UK on August 24 and the U.S. on August 25. If musicals are your thing, give it a watch.
