Even though We Are Your Friends grossed a measly $1.8 million in its opening weekend (one of the worst opening weekends of all time), it’s not the worst movie ever made. It may not even be the worst movie of the summer.
WAYF, which came out on Aug. 28, tells the story of Cole Carter (played by Zac Efron), a 23-year-old DJ who’s trying to make it in the electronic dance music scene. By chance, he meets James Reed (Wes Bentley), a washed-up DJ and producer who carelessly plays top-40 hits at local clubs. Cole befriends James, along with his much younger girlfriend, Sophie (Emily Ratajkowski). James soon becomes Cole’s mentor, teaching him about the importance of originality and developing an authentic sound.
WAYF is a weak movie that you’ve seen a thousand times before. It takes zero chances in its story; it’s a standard, underdog coming-of-age tale that never surprises or challenges its audience. This time, the only difference is the backdrop – the EDM scene in southern California.
And that is, arguably, the reason WAYF bombed at the box office. It doesn’t succeed to attract EDM fanatics, or the masses of college students it hoped to pull. For EDM enthusiasts, Carter’s simplified explanation of EDM production as “all you need is a laptop, some talent and one track” is downright insulting to the craft. Worse yet, the music itself throughout the entirety of the film is aggressively average.
Additionally, the vast majority of characters are simply not interesting. Carter and his friends view themselves as unfortunate kids who deserve better. Really, their problem is that they fail to recognize the immense privilege they have as wealthy middle class American males in the San Fernando Valley.
But while WAYF glosses over the accuracy of EDM production and fails to create interesting characters, it is an enjoyable movie. Bentley’s character is by far one of the best parts of the film. His difficult past, innovative nature, revered-yet-wasted talent and alcoholism make him a fascinating mess. It’s a shame the film doesn’t pay more attention to him.
In terms of aesthetics, WAYF looks fantastic. Its warm tones and frequent establishing shots accurately portray the bleak, sun-baked desert and oppressive heat of the San Fernando Valley. It’s a bit like Spring Breakers in that it’s a beautiful mess, both with directors that had very specific visions that just didn’t come to fruition.
If anything, WAYF is an incredibly interesting portrayal of millennial culture. An endless party of sex, drugs and pounding music with characters that incessantly pity themselves, even though they have the ability to change every aspect of their lives. And while WAYF seems to celebrate party culture (with Cole and Sophie even falling for each other while on ecstasy at a music festival), it makes sure to hit you over the head with its condemnation of it.
While WAYF may not be the best movie of the summer, it may be one of the most enjoyable. It feels like a non-stop college rager, for better or for worse. And if you ignore the inaccuracy of EDM culture and the unoriginal plot, you’ll leave the theater bobbing your head and wondering where the closest party is.
Follow Shelby Chapman on Twitter @ShelbyEm15