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.