The Deb
had the honor of being the closing film at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, and Rebel Wilson’s directorial debut left quite an impression. The Australian star, whose film is based on the stage play by Hannah Reilly (who also wrote the script, with additional writing from Wilson), leans into her comic roots by bringing to the festival a cheeky, outrageous musical about two teens who come together to participate in a small town’s annual debutante ball. The Deb‘s timing feels fortuitous; it feels like a natural companion to the Mean Girls musical released earlier this year.
The Rebel Wilson Musical Comedy Is Entertaining
The film follows queen bee Maeve (Charlotte MacInnes), who uses her misguided interpretation of feminism and activism to take over her exclusive private school, but her latest stunt gets her suspended and sent to live in the Bush. Taylah (Natalie Abbot) is the exact opposite of her cousin Maeve, lacking a backbone and eager to fit in. When Maeve is dropped off in the middle of nowhere to live with Taylah, the cousins quickly find themselves becoming friends and helping each other out.
The Deb offers many laugh-out moments as we explore Maeve and Taylah’s personalities and their respective communities through the film’s whip-smart dialogue and song lyrics. The more Maeve pushes against tradition, the funnier it gets, as she is simply a young girl regurgitating feminist talking points without actually understanding them. Taylah’s wide-eyed eagerness for acceptance is sweet but leaves her open to many awkward moments we can’t help but laugh at.
Narratively, the plots are laid down effectively, even if the execution is uneven.
The Deb‘s comedy is thoroughly Australian and very much in Wilson’s wheelhouse. Despite not writing the song lyrics — that credit goes to Meg Washinton and Reilly — Wilson’s persona and comedic style very much inform the film. If you aren’t a fan and have never been moved by Wilson’s style of comedy, you will not be moved by The Deb, though it is thoroughly enjoyable.
The story revolves around the debutante ball, specifically the 100th anniversary celebration. The celebration is important on two fronts: It gives Taylah a platform to break out of her shell and feel beautiful, and the ball brings attention to the town’s plight regarding the drought and much-needed funding for aid.
Maeve and Taylah have selfish reasons for caring about the debutante ball, yet Wilson underscores the silly comedy musical with heart through a subplot involving Taylah’s mayor father, who’s trying to help his town survive. Narratively, the plots are laid down effectively, even if the execution is uneven. We feel the rousing spirit that Wilson imbues in this town, but the road to the end is rocky.
Despite An Uneven Story, There’s A Lot To Enjoy About The Deb
The film’s strength lies in its entertaining scolding of the younger generations, as we laugh at Maeve’s declaration of being the feminist voice of her generation, knowing darn well she is part of the problem that plagues young women. However, The Deb falters when exploring Maeve and Taylah’s arcs, as their stories inform how the other evolves. Maeve is outspoken, fearless and ambitious, while Taylah is a people-pleasing, insecure outcast.
Taylah is meant to humble Maeve, and Maeve is intended to uplift Taylah, but the film sort of loses that plot thread partway through. If the story were tightened up and gave Taylah more space to navigate her complicated feelings about being seen and honoring her deceased mother, The Deb would have given its leads more balance.
For all its flaws, The Deb is hilarious and entertaining.
The unevenness comes from the film branching out to characters of the town that offer little to the central story. The story also has a rather grim development in Taylah’s journey that doesn’t get the proper follow-through it deserves and should have been cut from the final product as it makes light of a severe issue. The third act is cluttered, trying to tie together every plot thread previously introduced. For a film with such a fun and energetic spirit, the third act is weighed down by some poor decisions.
Nevertheless, The Deb is an excellent testament to Rebel Wilson’s talents and a promising start to a directing career that will surely flourish with some guidance and structure. For all its flaws, The Deb is hilarious and entertaining. The music is infectious. It is so good that I can honestly see The Deb becoming a big hit — even if it’s with a smaller audience.
The Deb premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. The film is 121 minutes long and is not yet rated.