There’s a song in the Australian musical The Deb called “Pretty Strong,” and that’s a good way to describe Rebel Wilson’s first time directing a movie.
This bright and lively musical is about finding beauty in a dusty small town. At times, it’s as catchy as its songs, at times as bold as its wildest characters, and sometimes as boring as the scenery around the town of Dunburn, Australia.
The movie is based on the 2022 musical, with songs by Megan Washington, lyrics by Washington and Hanna Reilly, and a story written by Reilly. It tells the story of Maeve (Charlotte MacInnes), a girl who attends a private school and is a rising social media star.
Maeve is always quick to criticize people she disagrees with or take credit for any activism she decides to support. But after one too many risky moves, she exposes herself (literally) online and gets expelled from her fancy world, earning the nickname “cancel pig.”
What Is The Deb About?
Maeve’s mother sends her away to a small town about six hours from Sydney (or eight hours by bus) to stay with her cousin Taylah (Natalie Abbott). Maeve is a fashion-loving city girl, and she sees herself as the “feminist voice of [her] generation.” Taylah, on the other hand, lives in the country where her daily tasks include herding sheep and dealing with pigs.
This sets up the typical “city girl meets country girl” dynamic, where Maeve is fashionable and popular while Taylah is seen as frumpy and awkward. However, the movie doesn’t just rely on these stereotypes—it plays with them in a fun way, both celebrating and poking fun at them throughout the story.
When the local mean girl, Annabelle (Stevie Jean), arrives with her friends Daniele (Brianna Bishop) and Chantelle (Karis Oaka), Maeve quickly shows her sarcasm and rolls her eyes at the typical small-town drama.
Maeve arrives just in time for the preparations for the debutante ball. This is a traditional event where local girls are formally introduced to society, wearing big, marshmallow-like gowns made by a local seamstress (Tara Morice).
While Taylah’s father (Shane Jackson) struggles to keep the farm running during a drought, he also has his duties as the mayor to try and get funding from the city. The story is a comforting, if predictable, tale of rebellious teenagers and the ups and downs of being popular.
Many dramatic moments bring the characters closer or push them apart as things go wrong. Given Rebel Wilson’s background with movies like Bridesmaids and Pitch Perfect, it’s easy to see the connection here. Australia has a strong tradition of over-the-top musicals, and The Deb fits right in with that style.
Australian Musical Traditions
Australia has embraced both the seriousness and silliness of musicals for a long time. When Hollywood stopped making as many big musicals, Australian movies like Moulin Rouge by Baz Luhrmann, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert by Stephen Elliott, and Muriel’s Wedding by P.J. Hogan showed that there was still a place for these types of films.
These movies mixed music and drama in new ways, and The Deb follows in their footsteps. Rebel Wilson has made a career out of combining raunchy humor with broad comedy, and in this movie, she swaps Cats’ famous Jellicle Ball for a debutante ball.
It might seem like her character, Janette, a local hairdresser and stage mom, would steal the show, but Wilson blends in well with the other characters, even when her jokes are a bit silly. Her shop, “Curl Up ‘n Dye,” is a perfect example of this kind of humor—cheap, but funny.
The Deb Has Catchy Songs
The songs, which are the heart of any musical, are fun and clever. They’re a mix of pop music, hip-hop beats, and grand, dramatic moments that are sure to be popular in high school music groups as soon as the film comes out.
While the movie doesn’t reach the same heights as Hairspray—another musical with a curvy lead character and a mix of sincerity and camp—it’s still impressive. The camera work is sweeping, the performances are heartfelt but never too sappy, and the dancing makes good use of the different settings.
There’s also the issue of the lawsuits surrounding the film, which cast a shadow over its release. But if we ignore that and focus just on what’s on the screen, The Deb is a fun, rowdy film with enough humor and sass to entertain even the most skeptical viewer.
Whatever drama may have happened during filming, it doesn’t show in the final product. The characters go through a range of emotions, from over-the-top to heartfelt, and it’s hard not to be drawn in by the quirky townspeople deep in the Australian countryside.
A Fun, Heartfelt Musical
The Deb is both obnoxious and sincere, often at the same time. Its moments of musical fun perfectly express the feelings of the characters, who are all from different backgrounds but share the same small town.
The film could have used even more songs from the original stage production, but the ones that made it in are smart, energetic, and memorable.
With its clever lyrics, catchy tunes, and dedicated cast, The Deb is a shining example of Australian musical films. It’s a must-watch, even for people who are usually not fans of this kind of musical adventure.
