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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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