Buffaloed (2019)

Peg Dahl (Zoey Deutch) is a born and raised Buffalonian. While she hates Buffalo, she is, in nearly every way, Buffalo; she watches the Buffalo Bills, drinks Genesee Cream Ale and speaks the vernacular. Something she does better than any other: hustle. Since around the age of ten Peg has been studying to better her future and get rich, regardless of what she has to do in order to get there. Peg has decided that debt collecting is her way out of her current funk, and Buffalo. Buffaloed is the story of where Peg is going, how she gets there and what comes after. Stay tuned for one hell of a ride.

It is possible to describe Buffaloed’s story as asinine, ridiculous or utterly unbelievable, but the sincerity that somehow manages to remain present throughout the film resonates with viewers and creates bonds that continue to grow until the end of the film. Regardless of how exaggerated much of the film might be, there are bits and pieces of the story that ring true and attract audiences. The genuine and crippling nature of debt collecting is endearing as Buffaloed does more than use it as a device to drive the story, but as a teaching point as well.

More often than not the love stories that run throughout dramas, thrillers, etc. serve little to no purpose other than to provide as a connector between the audience and the characters in the film. Most films where the love story takes place as a secondary or tertiary plotline fall short of the writer and/or director’s expectations and leave the main storyline feeling a bit watered down. Buffaloed, writer by Brian Sacca and directed by Tanya Wexler, uses the cliche romance to not only work as a bridge between Peg and the viewers, but as an important cog in this well-oiled machine. This part of Buffaloed is integral to the story and never feels unnecessary.

Deutch, who has primarily been in a series of low-budget, relatively unknown films and television shows, steps up, brings her infectious personality, interestingly good looks and can-do attitude to Buffaloed, being almost the sole reason for its success. Her personality: radiant, full of expression and completely unable to ignore. These traits allow her to absolutely take over the film, outshine everyone else and give Buffaloed character unlike most other films. As Peg navigates the energetic, but arduous streets of Buffalo, New York, the challenges she faces require a versatile actor who is able to change personalities and personas at a moment’s notice. She is able to adapt and overcome each and every moment throughout the film and bring to life the often odd, but hilariously difficult situations of which she is a part. The brilliant talent that she brings to this film provides audiences with the belief that everything she touches will turn to gold.

With some ridiculousness present in the plot, and a series of subplots that audiences may initially view as off putting, Buffaloed is much more than meets the eye. Deutch is brilliant in her performance and brings the shoot-for-the-stars, but down to earth Peg to life. It becomes clear, even as Deutch narrates her life through the first few minutes, that the vision that Wexler had for the film is playing out nicely. Buffaloed is entertaining, eye-opening and informative.

Directed by Tanya Wexler. Written by Brian Sacca. Starring Zoey Deutch, Jai Courtney, Judy Greer, Jermaine Fowler, Noah Reid, etc.

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