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The last few years have seen an influx of outrageous comedies�the crude, R-rated flicks that focus more on raunchy humor than on story. Originally, they targeted guys, but then they began slowly moving into rom-com territory. With 2011�s surprise hit, Bridesmaids, however, Hollywood learned that girls aren�t afraid to get a little dirty. And that means that outrageous chick flicks like director Jamie Travis�s For a Good Time, Call� have started popping up all over the place�with mixed results.
Co-writer Lauren Miller (a.k.a. Mrs. Seth Rogen) stars as Lauren Powell, a prim and proper young woman whose life is turned upside-down after her boyfriend decides that he�s lost interest in their relationship. Heartbroken and homeless, Lauren has no choice but to move in with Katie (Ari Graynor), a wild and crazy friend of a friend who didn�t exactly make the best impression when they first met back in college.
After Lauren gets laid off and fails to hook her dream job at a publishing company, she�s absolutely desperate�desperate enough to help Katie start her own phone sex hotline. But it�s not long before Lauren�s temporary new job and her new best friend begin to make her a lot stronger�and a lot less boring.
Much like Bridesmaids, For a Good Time, Call� is a modern-day chick flick. It�s the female answer to the bromantic comedy�a rogirltic comedy, if you will. Instead of telling the same old fluffy fairy tale about a sad and lonely girl who finds the love that she needs to make her life complete, it�s a story about a couple of girls who find happiness, friendship, and success on their own. Sure, there�s a hint of romance that plays out in the background, but the film�s message is clear: you don�t need a man to be happy. And it�s that kind of girl-power attitude that makes it a fun pick for a night out with the girls.
The humor, meanwhile, isn�t quite as crude as it sounds. Of course, this quirky comedy isn�t for the prudish, and some moments might make some of the most open-minded viewers cringe. But while the film has its share of outrageous humor, it�s generally handled with a pretty light touch�and the girls� business calls are often so ridiculous that you�ll most likely forget to be offended. Some, in fact, might think that it�s not offensive enough.
For the most part, then, For a Good Time, Call� is just an odd and occasionally charming little film about friendship and independence. The characters are cute, and the comedy is playfully over-the-top. But while the idea of the film works well, the execution is a little shaky. By the time it comes to a close, the story�s gimmick has worn thin�and it all comes together in a pretty ridiculous conclusion.
Then again, a few pre-movie margaritas with the girls should help you overlook the film�s flaws. So feel free to give your single friends a call and plan a girls� night out�because this dirty-talking chick flick may not be particularly noteworthy, but you�ll still have a good time.
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