We Are Your Friends

As the summer comes to a close, we are left with one of the final chances for the summer to achieve greatness in a film that I've quietly had my eye on ever since I saw the initial trailer. 

We Are Your Friends is an awkwardly named film (though I guess it's pretty catchy) about a young DJ trying to make a name for himself with that "one track". It's admittedly shallow and I don't think the film tried to be more than it was advertising, save for a few moments. 

Why I was excited for this film remains a bit of a mystery to me. I've always enjoyed Efron, and the initial trailers presented a fun film with a killer soundtrack. I wouldn't say that the DJ realm of music is my "go-to", but I've found myself listening to it more and more (and dancing to it much more) in recent years thanks to an evolution of the genre. But by no means is We Are Your Friends one of my typical films that I seek out. 

We Are Your Friends ends up being about as good as I expected it would be (i.e. I really enjoyed it), though the path by which it got there is ab it hard to explain. The film focuses on Cole (Efron) trying to be unique in a highly overcrowded DJ music scene filled with a lot of imitators, and not many actual genuine talents. So it's mildly funny and a bit disappointing that the film, in its spurts of originality, resembles something very good, but it's when it resorts to typical Hollywood fare that it's merely ok/good. 

From left to right: lovable, central, despicable/annoying, forgettable

Dropped out of H.S. Musical and
went straight to the turntables!

I think the main issue I had with We Are Your Friends was it main subplot. The four friends in the film are in "The Valley" of California, trying to make money and a name for themselves. Cole is the anchor of the group and often seems to be the only one who actually has any drive while the others are mostly unlikable save for Squirrel (nickname). I especially despised Jonny Weston's Mason who just an annoying character with 0 redeeming qualities. Somewhere along the line, this group of friends becomes involved with Jon Bernthal's shady real estate character who gets the group some money using less than ethical methods. This subplot is the film's weakest point, has very little payoff, and doesn't add much more to the purpose of character's motives that the film didn't have before. In other words, it was straight fluff. The film's core plot, Cole's shadowing and mentorship from older DJ, James, portrayed well by Wes Bentley, is where it's has the most to say. James, jaded heavily by his success, has become an alcoholic who believes himself a god. Along the way, Cole stumbles into him, as well as his assistant/girlfriend, Sophie, played by the incredibly attractive Emily Ratajkowski, and Cole begins to really hone his DJ skills while also falling for Sophie. The romance is cliched as they come, but hell, Efron and Ratajkowski make such an attractive couple I hardly had any issue with it. And they have some cute chemistry. 

I'd have a dance off with her any day of the week.
[Little known fact about me:
I tear up a mean rug :-) ]

The film that I've just described above is about 70-75% of the film and it's a good film, leaning more toward the side of average. A plot event which I shall not divulge here happens near the end of the film, and frankly shocked me. I should have seen it coming, but didn't, and I feel like it was at this point where the final portion of the film was utterly fantastic. At times it felt like I was watching a different film; the cinematography was better than it already was, the plot immediately focused again, the script tight, and the final big scene both emotional, and well filmed. Now, the entirely of the film is filmed in a kinetic style, at times almost feeling like a music video, with close shots of sweaty bodies, lights, and hands in the air. This coupled with what is probably one of the best, if not the absolute best, soundtracks of the year, makes it one hell of a good time, especially when the music is cranked to 11. 

We Are Your Friends is honestly a lot like the music it represents. It's hollow, fairly dumb, shallow, and hyper-sexualized. But also compelling, driving, fun, hypnotic, and when that beat drops at the end, you'll feel something.

Suns out, guns out, breh!

 CONS:

• The film has its predictable moments
• Completely useless subplot with Jon Bernthal
• Most of Cole's friends suck
• Film struggles (read: suffers) when it's not unique
• Doesn't have much "bigger" to say, despite some mild attempts to try

PROS:

• Efron, once again, proves he can be a solid lead. I enjoyed his performance and his character
• The final half hour is amazing. Almost a completely different movie and the ending/final DJ scene itself was mesmerizing
• Some great, unique, camerawork throughout
• No doubt about it, there are some gorgeous people in the film
• Emily Ratajkowski and Efron have some good chemistry and I didn't hate their romance
• Phenomenal soundtrack. One of the year's best, including it's original music. When the music is blaring, this film shines
• Fun almost the whole way through

Rath's Review Score: 8/10