Netflix has already dominated the world of streaming platforms, becoming one of the most popular streaming services across the globe. Since its success in this field, the company has turned its hand to production, beginning to transform into a studio in its own right and creating a number of globally successful original television shows, including 'House of Cards', 'The Crown', and 'Stranger Things', to name only a few. In more recent years, however, the masterminds at Netflix have also dipped their toes into the world of teen comedies... with varying luck.
In 2018 we have had the delight of being blessed with two such films: the heart-warming 'To All The Boys I've Loved Before', and the controversial 'Sierra Burgess Is a Loser', both starring Noah Centineo. While the former won over the hearts of all who watched it, the latter has had a rather less enthusiastic response (and rightfully so). The film begins like most unimaginative classic teen comedies, with the unpopular, overlooked, bullied teenager, Sierra (Shannon Purser), and her tormenter, Veronica (Kristine Froseth), who is the stereotypical regurgitated Regina George. Popular, pretty cheerleader, Veronica, makes constant fun of Sierra alongside her band of "mean girls", while Sierra wittily sidesteps her torments.
The film's premise begins with the attractive high school quarterback, Jamey, (Noah Centineo) asking Veronica for her number, who in response gives him Sierra's number in an attempt to humiliate her. When Sierra receives a text from Jamey later that night, the pair begin to talk and she soon realises that he believes her to be someone else. Instead of telling the poor boy that he has the wrong number, however, our delusional and arrogant protagonist decides to maintain the facade and allows the innocent Jamey to believe that he is flirting with Veronica. She then takes the hoax to a whole other level, and agrees to go on a date with him, then convincing Veronica to go in her place.
The only vaguely redeeming aspect of the entire film is the friendship that slowly emerges between Sierra and Veronica. When Sierra realises that Jamey believes he is talking to Veronica, she manages to rope Veronica into helping her with her scam by agreeing to be her tutor. What emerges from this unlikely alliance is a genuine and sweet friendship, which challenges the initial stereotype of Froseth's character. Unfortunately, the girls' relationship doesn't even come close to making up for the absurdly twisted message the film projects to its young audience.
A Protagonist You Have to Hate
At the end of the date, Veronica tells Jamey to close his eyes, at which point Sierra steps in and kisses him. In a reverse scenario, this would be considered mild assault, however, nothing comes of it. Sierra's warped sense of judgement persists throughout the film, culminating at the football game during which she betrays and humiliates her now best friend, believing that Veronica is intentionally trying to seduce Jamey. When all is revealed to Jamey, although at first he is hurt and angry, Sierra somehow manages to get her happy ending. By simply writing a song for Veronica, which she names 'Sunflower', Sierra is forgiven, even after embarrassing her friend in front of the entire school. Jamey, too, ends up forgiving her, and the film even ends with him declaring his "true feelings" towards her, and taking her to the homecoming dance.
Without even having to apologise for her deception, betrayal, and terrible treatment of other people, Sierra achieves the classic happily ever after ending. Not since 'Twilight', and the disastrously dangerous ideas projected in that film about relationships, has there been such an awfully misguided teen drama. At times the situations become so awkward and absurd that it is physically difficult to continue watching. Unfortunately for me, however, I watched the film to the end. Never has such an emotionally manipulative, unrelenting character be forgiven for so much at so little personal cost. While perhaps the film doesn't quite condone, it certainly does not condemn cat-fishing, friendship betrayal, and even mild assault; instead, Sierra ends up on top, getting the guy, going to her dream college, and keeping her friendships. If it did not have such a twisted final message, then perhaps the plot would be laughably bad. As it stands, however, it is one of the worst teen films to have surfaced in the past decade.
Rating: 3
The Best: the friendship between Sierra and Veronica.
The Worst: the entirely irresponsible message that it sends out, the detestable protagonist, and the laughably stock ending.
