For a Good Time, Call...(2012) - Movie Review

When we first meet Lauren and Katie, both are going through their own personal crises.  Lauren's boyfriend breaks up with her as he takes a job in Italy, citing that their relationship had become boring.  Katie's in danger of losing her apartment unless she can get a roommate in just a few days.  They are put together by a mutual friend, but there's a big problem:  These two met back in college and don't like each other.  Also, they are polar opposites as far as personality.  Both are desperate though, so they give it a shot.

After a short time, Lauren (Lauren Miller) finds that one of Katie's (Ari Graynor) many odd jobs is talking on a phone sex line.  Lauren disapproves, but notes that Katie can make a lot more money if she sets up her own line.  As Lauren is recently out of work, she agrees to help with the business side of things.  Their friendship grows over time, and eventually, Lauren loosens up enough to talk on the phone sex line herself.

It's interesting I watched this and Bachelorette (should have the review up for that one later) back to back as they are both female-driven raunchy comedies written by women.  The difference with For a Good Time, Call... is that while it's a raunchy comedy, it's done without over-relying on visuals, where Bachelorette's humor felt more blunt and obvious.  I never really felt like For a Good Time, Call... went over the line as far as being vulgar.  The movie is as much about about these two becoming best friends and learning more about themselves, than it is about what they do to make money.  That friendship is what keeps you watching.  It would have been easy for them to rely strictly on sex jokes, and not develop their friendship and personalities, but fortunately we get something that has more substance than that.

Lauren Miller co-wrote this with Katie Anne Naylon, and it's based on their own college experiences.  This fact just makes me wish I had known them back in college.  I'm sure they were a lot of fun.  I also just read that she's the real-life wife of Seth Rogen, who has a small cameo in the film.  Seth is a lucky man.   As far as their script, my only real issue is that it's a little too predictable at times, especially with the conclusion, but the strength is the realistic dialog and characters.  As the conservative and reserved one, Lauren is playing the 'straight man', but I think was vulnerable and sexy in her own way.  Miller said she specifically wrote the role of Katie for Ari Graynor.  Perpetual indie movie best friend up until this point, Graynor finally gets a chance at a leading role and she makes the most of it.  She's plays the role with the perfect combination of sassy, sexy and funny.  I really can't see too many other young actresses pulling the role off as well as Graynor did.  You should expect bigger things for both of these two going forward.

Scene stealer, Justin Long, is great as their gay best friend.  He's not quite as over-the-top as he was in Zack and Miri Make a Porno though.  Ironically, Kevin Smith also has a cameo appearance in this, while Lauren Miller had a small role in Smith's film, so talk about making good use of your friends.  Anyway, Justin Long continues to be a go-to guy for funny supporting roles, and has become one of my favorite, underrated actors.

First time feature director (always seems to be a theme with late summer and indie films) Jamie Travis gets good performances out of his cast and everyone remains likable.  It's always nice when you watch a movie and you can see yourself hanging out with these people.  As the movie takes place over a few months, the friendship felt natural and wasn't rushed.  This was impressive to me, as the movie runs just 86 minutes.  They use their time well.

For a Good Time, Call... is a predictable film, but it's not without it's charms.  It's a funny look at friendship and carried by the strength of the performances.  It's not a perfect film, but it's exactly what the title says, a good time.  That's all I ask with any comedy.  This is a great matinee and something to get a few friends together to watch.

3.5 (out of 5) Death Stars

Hope Springs (2012) - Movie Review

Okay, remember how I just said in my Total Recall review how August is a lame month for movies?  Well, it still is.  In fact, I call this month "Junior Varsity for movies", but sometimes movies come out that surprise you.  August will have some sleepers, and Hope Springs is one of them.

It's a very basic story.  Kay (Meryl Streep) and Arnold (Tommy Lee Jones) have been married for 31 years, and are going through the motions.  Kay cooks same breakfast every morning, he heads to work, and then comes home to dinner and watch golf until he falls asleep.  While Arnold is just fine with the status quo, Kay is concerned that things are headed in the wrong direction.  The magic is gone, and they've been sleeping in separate bedrooms for years.  Kay books a counselling session from Dr. Feld (Steve Carell) to try and repair the relationship.  Arnold reluctantly comes along, complaining all the way.

Once again, you have a movie where I feel like the trailer kind of misrepresents the movie.  While this is actually a dramedy, the movie is fortunately free of humor taken from silly or obvious jokes.  Nobody falls down for a laugh and there aren't any lame sex jokes or anything like that.  Sometimes the humor comes from just a simple look, or watching Tommy Lee Jones struggle through his frustration at the situation.  While you think the presence of someone like Steve Carell would signal a comedic role, he plays the role with a serious and calm demeanor.  You actually buy that he's this successful couple's therapist.  If he had spent the movie saying uncomfortable or inappropriate things, basically playing Michael Scott, the movie wouldn't have worked.

Despite the huge names playing the roles, you quickly forget who you're watching and actually believe that these two are a couple that's been together for decades.  There's nothing left to be said about Meryl Streep.  She's simply the best.  Tommy Lee Jones impressed me the most here.  He has such a surprising vulnerability, and you can see it with every close up of his face.  So much is said without saying anything.  I felt like I was watching a master class in acting.

After a while, you get this weird feeling like you're watching your parents or grandparents.  I'll have to warn you, there are some moments in the film where it might feel a little 'icky', like I would imagine how you'd feel if you caught your parents or grandparents going at it.  It's all relative though.  For some of you this won't be an issue it all, but younger audiences might get that feeling.  At the same time, I think the familiar feeling you get watching them is what makes this work.

Hope Springs was written by Vanessa Taylor, who's mainly written TV up to this point (including some episodes of Game of Thrones).  Her screenplay doesn't have any surprises, but the dialog and situations felt natural.  Joined with director David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada, Marley & Me), they brought a movie that felt real and honest.  Honestly though, with these two actors, did he really have to do much more than just say 'action' and 'cut'?

Hope Springs is a nice change of pace from your typical Summer film.  If you like watching two great actors show a softer side, it's worth watching simply for the performances.  At it's heart, it's a sweet film about a couple rekindling their romance and remembering why they are in love.  I was pleasantly surprised by this and I think it makes for a nice date movie.

3.5 (out of 5) Death Stars