DIRECTOR: Max Joseph LEAD
CAST:
Zac Efron, Wes Bently, Emily Ratajkowski SCREENWRITER: Max Joseph/Meaghan Oppenheimer PRODUCER: Tim Bevan , Eric Fellner , Liza
Chasin EDITOR:
Terel Gibson, Oliver Courson & company MUSICAL DIRECTOR:
Randall Poster GENRE:
music/drama CINEMATOGRAPHER: Bret Pawlak DISTRIBUTOR: Warner Bros. Pictures LOCATION: USA RUNNING TIME: 95 mins
Technical
assessment: 2.5
Moral
assessment: 2
MTRCB
rating: R16
CINEMA
rating: V18
23-year-old
Cole Carter (Zac Efron) dreams of becoming a big time disc jockey to live out
his passion and use his talents in electronic music mix. He hangs out with his friends; Ollie
(Shiloh Fernandez), Squirrel (Alex Shaffer), and Dustin (Johnny Weston) who
also have their respective dreams in life. The four of them work part time in a
realty funding recovery business to earn and save up money to realize their
dreams. While pursuing his niche
in electronic music, Cole meets seasoned DJ James Reed (Wes Bently) who
believes in his talents and generously
shares his resources to Cole.
During mentorship between the two musicians, Cole meets Sophie (Emily
Ratajkowski), the assistant cum girlfriend of James and gets attracted to her
who in turn also gets attracted to him. Expectedly, James gets appalled at discovering what Cole and
Sophie are doing behind his back. Realizing
the results of his action, Cole wants to make amends with James. He consoles
himself in the company of his friends who give their usual support to him.
We
are your friends is about passion for music of a struggling young musician,
not necessarily about friendship as the title implies. The sub plots relating
to friendship theme seems to complicate the plot which could have been predictable
given the focus in the character of Cole.
It also fails to highlight each of the character of the friends. There is much to be desired in the
editing as some of the scenes are unnecessary and prolonging. The lighting is not maximized to
further convey emotions.
Nevertheless, meaningful lines and scenes with reference to the details
in the art of electronic music and sensational effects to body movements are
informative and serve as saving grace of the film. Likewise, the actors did well in their portrayals to the
credit of the director. The
sound effects particularly on the portion of composing the desired music piece
of Cole adds value to the music theme of the film. The production design is
also commendable.
The
film says that dreams and friends are important for young people who need
friends to hang around with in reaching out for their dreams. It is equally
important that as a dreamer, a young person finds an inspiration, friend, and
mentor who believes in his talents and shares his same passion. It is unfortunate to lose such a mentor
due to weaknesses like sexual attraction.
In We are your friends, woman
is shown as an object of man’s weakness in this film, constantly and vividly
shown in suggestive sensual shots to stimulate the male imagination. The film
shows how a person at fault can be sincerely sorry and exert efforts to make
amends. Despite the amendments,
however, the entire run of the film is somehow disturbing. It fails to provide background of the
characters that could have helped the audience in understanding them,
especially since the film has no reference to the family. Western culture notwithstanding, there
is still value in the moral support of the family especially in areas like
pursuing one’s dreams. The environment
of alcohol, fights, drugs, vulgar language, and the overall theme of the film make
it fit only for a mature adult audience.
