FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL... (2012)

Directed By: Jamie Travis 
Written By Lauren Miller & Katie Anne Naylon 
Cinematography By: James Laxton 
Editor: Evan Hanke 

Cast: Ari Graynor, Lauren Miller, Mark Webber, Justin Long, Mimi Rogers, Dom McManus, James Wolk, Nia Vardalos Kevin Smith, Seth Rogen


Lauren and Katie, college frenemies with a mutual good friend, move in together at age 28 in order to afford an amazing Gramercy Park apartment. The unlikely pair start a phone sex line and become best friends while learning about this hilarious world of vibrators, fake orgasms and nighttime callers. When the hot line is hung up and reality comes calling, the most meaningful relationship of their lives is put to the test.

The film is rather simple and easy to follow.

It is a breath of fresh air as, The film is lite for such a raunchy subject and doesn't immerse too much in it's subject. So much that would make the audience feel uncomfortable or elevate the film to a level it never intended.

It lures you in expecting more of a sexual juvenile comedy, but soon endears you to it and it's characters.

The film is obviously low budget. So that it allows the film and it's Comedy to feel more intimate like it could almost be a play of not for all the locations needed. Which might be why The strength of the film feels like it's Characters.

That makes the film feel like a cute high concept rather harmless 80's movie. That is stronger in it's two lead characters rather than the situations they find themselves in. Which only helps illustrate them.

The film was shot in 16 days.

It's uncanny how much Ari Graynor reminds the audience of a young Bette Midler in looks, attitude, performance and presence. I am a huge Midler fan so excise me for pointing it out. As also it's a great enjoyment for me to watch Graynor's performance. I have been following her career since NICK AND NORAH's INFINITE PLAYLIST. she really finds her strengths here. That were merely hinted at before. This is also one of the rare times she has played a lead. Which I hope becomes a regular thing in the future.

It's just towards the end the film and script seems to run out of steam which is strange as the film is kind of short under 90 minutes.

Lauren miller who produced and co-write this is a little soft in her role, but with all the other responsibilities it is expected and works for the character.

Justin Long is fun and way over the top as their mutual gay friend. Who could be called a caricature and the one false note of the film. If he wasn't so much fun. Feel like

This film should be funnier and you should have a better time. The set up is there. The situations are there. So is the energy. Though strangely none of it is infectious. You are more a witness to it. Rather then feeling included with the characters. Which ends up making the film feel stilted at times and stiff.

The film is a nice time waster that is made and stars New York. But feels like a non-glamorous for the most part fairy tale. It reminds me of the film KISSING JESSICA STEIN with less drama and less romanticism as there is little drama in this film other then the obligatory now and then to keep the story going. It also reminds me to a lesser degree of the film, THE GURU more in spirit and story. Where it seems like it will be more sexual the. It ends up being Almost innocent especially considering the subject matter.

The film in the end is like a cupcake short, sweet, delicious. It might be bad for your health. Though it might be worth it. It's so fun you forget that.

Grade: C