Review of "D.E.B.S."

The film is full of tongue-in-cheek humor that satirizes teen films and action films at the same time. The first half of the film is especially sharp, provoking one laugh after another at everything from the over-the-top impracticality of the D.E.B.S. uniforms, to arguments between the D.E.B.S. about whether Janet got her sweater at Target, to one-liners like Max asking Amy seriously "Do you remember the first thing I said to you when we met?" and Amy responding equally seriously, "That's my bunk, bitch?"

The film could be improved in the second half by adding more of these moments during some of the long, predictable stretches that seem to be more about moving the plot forward than satirizing it. This is partly a devil of Robinson's own making: there are so many laugh-out-loud funny moments in the film that you notice when it's more action than comedy.

The character of Amy could use a little more definition, as well. Robinson has stated that she created Lucy and Amy to be very complementary characters, two halves of a whole, but Amy often comes across a little, well, bland, especially in comparison to the dynamic Lucy — although perhaps that's intentional, since Amy is supposed to be the All-American Girl type.

Fortunately, the film seems to pick up steam again at the end, lacing a semi-predictable ending with enough funny moments to make it seem fresh.

There is little else to criticize about this film, however: the editing is smooth, the production quality good, the costumes excellent, the script well-written, and the action scenes and special effects convincing (you'd never know this film was made in less than a year on a budget of $3.5 million, which in itself is an achievement).

The acting is solid overall, and all of the characters bring something unique to the story. Max, Janet, and especially Dominique serve primarily to support the Lucy-Amy storyline, but they are interesting enough characters that you can't help hoping for a sequel to see more of them.

The real star of the film, however, is Jordana Brewster. Brewster is perfect as Lucy: confident and a little edgy, but with a hint of vulnerability and a magnetic appeal that makes Amy's attraction to her easy to understand. The chemistry between Lucy and Amy is very good, partly because Robinson wisely doesn't rush their courtship, and the easy banter between Lucy and Scud is very funny and adds a nice dimension to Lucy.

The sheer matter-of-factness with which lesbianism is presented in the film (even if the word itself is never uttered) is refreshing. Unlike all those other "grrl power" movies that only hint at lesbian subtext, D.E.B.S. not only makes it explicit, but embraces it as a central theme.

Although Lucy and Amy's relationship is clearly considered "taboo" by the other characters, this isn't because they're both women, but because the two women are on opposite sides of the law (and because Amy has never indicated an interest in women before).

Beneath all the satire and short skirts is a humorous coming-out story with a happy ending that will appeal to viewers of all sexual orientations because it's entertaining first and foremost. Straight boys and men will see it because, hey, hot girls with guns who make you laugh, and women and girls (both gay and straight) will see it for...well, the same reason, really.

This film ultimately succeeds because it can be different things to different viewers: to lesbian and bisexual viewers, a lesbian love story in teen-movie clothing; to straight teen and young adult viewers, a funny teen movie with a twist.

D.E.B.S. won't win any Oscars, but it doesn't need to — it's a funny, well-written, entertaining film that proves that cinematic lesbian relationships can be just as much fun as heterosexual ones.