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D.E.B.Spionage
"D.E.B.S.," a romantic-comedy about girls inducted into a secret spy ring is cute but not as clever as it wants to be.
By JASON GREY
Offoffoff.com
With political figures announcing their homosexuality on a national scale and same-sex marriage at the forefront of civil rights for gays and lesbians in this country, it is safe to say that this country has a huge social complex. These issues are still being worked out today in our political forum. However, in the dream world that plays out on our television screens night after night it is not uncommon to see gay characters and same-sex kisses on primetime shows. Television and the movies have more liberty to openly discuss topics that our political leaders need to handle sensitively. "D.E.B.S." is an independent feature lucky and smart enough to be able to play with the issues humorously within a secret-agent / love-story setting.
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| | | D.E.B.S. | Written and directed by: Angela Robinson.
Cast: Sara Foster, Jordana Brewster, Devon Aoki, Jill Ritchie, Meagan Good, Michael Clarke Duncan, Holland Taylor, Geoff Stults, Jimmi Simpson, Jessica Cauffiel, Scoot McNairy, Ryan Xavier, Eric Bochniarz, Michael Mastro, Roger Fan, J.B. Ghuman Jr., Jenny Mollen.
Cinematography: M. David Mullen.
Edited by: Angela Robinson.
Related links: Official site |
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The premise of "D.E.B.S." is that there is a test hidden within the S.A.T. that determines your ability to lie cheat and steal and if you test well in this secret area of the exam you can join the world of the "D.E.B.S." That world is a government-training program in a college-like setting that prepares its students to become spies.
Are you still with me?
The "D.E.B.S." we follow are four girls who live together, work together, go to class together, and, when they are not fighting crime, try to help each other out in their personal lives, specifically their love lives.
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Oddly enough, their archenemy Lucy Diamond, played by Jordana Brewster ("Fast and the Furious"), is a supervillain with her own henchmen who double as a personal support group. (Super-villains are human too.) When Lucy Diamond isn't out committing super-crimes she goes on blind dates with other devious criminals. One of these dates is mistaken as a meeting of criminal masterminds and the "D.E.B.S." are assigned to investigate it. It just so happens that top "D.E.B.S." student Amy (Sara Foster) has written her thesis on Lucy Diamond and when she comes face-to-face with her, Amy's abundance of information about Lucy gets twisted from being a bizarre extravagant admiration to a latent attraction.
From here the movie steps into a bouillabaisse of confliction. Sexuality is questioned. Stereotypes are played with. Shallow issues of character content are tossed around and burning questions are asked: What would you do for love? Can you be in love with your enemy? Can you still do your job and not hurt the one you love? Freudian theorists can have a field day with "D.E.B.S." And it isn't bad for movie buffs either. The love story in "D.E.B.S." constantly reminded me of the alleged "homosexual subversive subtext" of the movie "Top Gun," the suspense as to whether our hero "will go the gay way." Writer/director Angela Robinson has quite a bit of fun here playing with the issues and the audience's expectations. She takes the love story and Amy's predicament for quite a ride.
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All of that aside, the D.E.B.S. fight the forces of evil in white halter tops, plaid mini-skirts and knee high socks, giving the movie a "Charlie's Angels" feel. Stir in some new millennium impudence and an appreciation for the high school/college comedy and there you have it.
Have what?
I don't know.
It all sounds great on paper, but it doesn't quite translate to the big screen as slickly as one might hope. "D.E.B.S." is a lighthearted romantic comedy/spy movie that only delivers with the romance. The love story keeps you guessing, but the screwball jokes don't pack a punch. It's a spy story, but not very action-packed. If you're in junior high school you'll probably get a kick out of "D.E.B.S." It's cute and fun, and has a touch of glamour. But if you're over 18 and no longer enjoy the high-school/adolescence genre you may want to steer clear. You can always watch "Josie and the Pussycats" instead.
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MARCH 25, 2005
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Reader comments on D.E.B.S.:
debs from kayleigh, Jun 11, 2005
i love you from chraesiane joy dela paz, Dec 20, 2005
OMG from taylor mcneilly, Feb 2, 2006
oh from blaope, Mar 15, 2006
max from megan good's lover, Jun 29, 2006
damn from brooke, Mar 18, 2006
Luv it!! from just another fan!, Mar 22, 2006
hi from thao, Apr 21, 2006
d.e.b.s from gantiele johnson, May 28, 2006
fan from rita marra, Jun 14, 2006
fan from rita marra, Jun 17, 2006
hey from alisha, Aug 11, 2006
mmmmm from d"LUCY"ious, Sep 19, 2006
great from sammy, Oct 9, 2006
try from meagan, Nov 6, 2006
question from diane murphy, Dec 13, 2006
dam from Diana hernandez, Jan 14, 2007
debs from ashley, Nov 3, 2007
Jordana from Christen , Dec 14, 2008
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