We Are Your Friends (2015)

I added We Are Your Friends on my watchlist years ago because of my crush for Zac Efron. It didn't appeal to me much though so I never watched it. Now that Margaret over Cinematic Corner has reawakened my love for Zac, I finally watched it (it's not like I have much of a choice. Italian Netflix doesn't have many of his films).

The film follows Cole Carter (Zac Efron), a 23-year-old aspiring DJ in the electronic dance music scene, who spends most of his time partying with his friends. When he meets James Reed (Wes Bentley), a once-famous DJ who takes him under his wing. Things get complicated when Cole falls for James's much younger girlfriend, Sophie (Emily Ratajkowski).

The major issue with We Are Your Friends is the plot. It is very predictable in its dramatic turn, it is superficial and shallow at its best —what was I expecting though. It focuses on the most superficial things in life such as drugs, alcohol and meaningless sex. It's not compelling, it's filled with contrived and unnecessary subplots —I kind of approved of the real estate job thing as it gave us Jon Bernthal— and overall, it does a very poor job at showing the importance of friendship.

The characters don't have a lot of depth either as they have very little characterization and development. There are not likeable nor relatable characters —unless you are a slacker who does drugs for fun. They are just dull. Same goes with the relationship between some of them —Cole and James, Cole and Sophie, James and Sophia—, they are just dull and kind of bland.

It's the acting —and the actors— that makes We Are Your Friends a little less painful to watch. While Emily Ratajkowski is horrible —she is very believable in the role of the bland model though— and Cole's friends are nothing but forgettable —the poor script sure doesn't help—, Zac Efron gives quite a compelling performance as Cole, the ambitious DJ trying to get his big break, and carried the film well. Wes Bentley gives an interesting performance as James, the alcoholic, wasted DJ who decides to mentor Cole. Also, Jon Bernthal is in it —it's a small role but he gets plenty of time to look hot.

StudioCanal, Warner Bros. 

As for the direction, Max Joseph does a mediocre job. While the visual style in one drug scene really pops out, and the DJing process is shown in an interesting way, the pace is too slow, and the film is surprising soulless for a movie about music.

Ultimately, We Are Your Friends does a decent job at making a commentary on how young people are living meaningless lives, but it fails to deliver on the friendship front. It's pretty forgettable so, unless you love one of the actors, you can skip this.

Gone (2012)

I have a crush on Amanda Seyfried since the original Mamma Mia! came out eight years ago, but it was only years later than I became obsessed with watching all of her movies. At some point though, I got tired of watching crap so I stopped, and Gone got stuck in my endless watchlist only to pop out now as I decided to give priority to movies that have been on that list forever. 

The film follows Jill (Amanda Seyfried), a young woman who was kidnapped and abandoned in a hole in the middle of a forest a couple of years prior. When her sister (Emily Wickersham) disappears, Jill is convinced that her kidnapper has returned and took her. She goes to the police for help but they dismiss her as crazy so she sets out to find her sister and face once again her kidnapper.

The story is very promising as it gets off to a very good start. Unfortunately, the execution is terrible and the result is a very simple plot, way too simple for a thriller, that doesn't always make sense —actually, it doesn't make any sense most of the time— and whose twists and turns aren't nearly as effective as they should be —for the whole time, you are led to believe one of the characters is the kidnapper which is the only thing that kept my interest as I wanted to know whether I was right or wrong. So when the non-twist came, it was a letdown. Also, there are many subplots with potential that aren't explored at all.

The poor writing extends to the character too. While she has a backstory, although very sparse, the main character has no development whatsoever, makes the most irrational decisions possible, and often comes off an too paranoid and annoying. However, Amanda Seyfried does a good job as she conveys both a genuine sense of fear and determination and makes the character likeable and sympathetic. Her performance is very natural and believable and compelling enough to keep you watching.

The same cannot be said for the rest of the characters and cast. The characters are all wooden, with no characterization nor depth; most of them have very little if absolutely no impact on the story and are therefore forgettable. Of course, the actors can't do anything with such poor material.

Summit Entertainment

The direction is just as bad as the script as there's a complete lack of tension —although a little depressing which fits the story well, the atmosphere and tone of the film are very flat—, an underwhelming climax with no action whatsoever.

Seyfried's performance may be good and you may question whether she is just delusional or it's all real, but ultimately, Gone is a disappointment.