She's Funny That Way (2015)

There might be nothing original about it, even the title sounds a hundred years old, it´s a nostalgic movie alright but, although it might not be good enough to revitalize the romantic screwball comedy, it oddly feels like a breathe of fresh air among its contemporaries, paradoxically indeed. It does maintain a fast pace throughout, well, at least until right before the climax, and Peter Bogdanovich shows experienced skill, but the so-so script comes really together thanks to its outstanding cast. It´s seriously well put together, every single role is spot-on. It´s ultimately a film about acting and everyone is enjoying the ride in a contagious way. Just when I thought the cast was good enough there´s a cameo by Michael Shannon, and it´s not even the only surprising cameo, let´s leave it at that. The plot centers around Imogen Poots´character, the main reason I watched it in the first place, and I´m very happy about that. Light hearted and funny enough, there should be a big audience able to enjoy it without cynicism.

Most reviews on this film say that it's a nostalgic nod to the old Hollywood screwball comedies and it has a terrific cast. I'd like to weigh in with my 2 cents on these two aspects. Firstly, flicks where the characters constantly find themselves in the awkward embarrassing situations give me anxiety and an urge to look away. And She's Funny That Way has plenty of such situations, because you know, the film is about a run-of-the-mill call-girl who sleeps with the director, and is seen leaving his hotel room by an actor who's acting in the director's play and who was romantically involved with the director's wife, also an actress, and then, said wife comes to town, and the call-girl gets a role in their play, and... you get the idea. Yet all the characters bounce back from awkward encounters and disclosures with admirable ease, grace, and humor very rare in films. It's a truly funny, charming comedy with a zesty yet innocent premise and terrific actors. Everybody raves about the main cast, especially a do-gooder Owen Wilson and hysterical Jennifer Aniston, and I'd also like to give a shoutout to talented British actress Lucy Punch who has a small role of a Russian prostitute barely speaking English and whose comedic talent makes her few scenes one of the most hilarious ones in the movie. Bottomline, this comedy is a cinematic joy and we need more films like it.

Imogen Poots is very good in an exhausting role, that of a starstuck "paid muse" (i.e., call girl) in New York City who manages to land an audition for a new Broadway play--one being directed by the same man who recently requested her services and then paid her $30,000 to find a new profession (he has a soft spot for beautiful prostitutes with ambition, and has been 'tipping' them all over town). Director and co-writer Peter Bogdanovich (who shares the screenplay credit with ex-wife Louise Stratten) is a softie for neurotic, lovestruck characters who come in and out of each other's lives, and his dialogue is, by turns, witty, funny, abrasive and annoying (but never ugly--Bogdanovich is a lot like the Poots character, he believes in charmed lives, meaningful encounters and happy endings). High-strung screwball comedy starts out fun but then begins to grind the viewer down in lopsided valentines. As per usual in a Bogdanovich picture, there are a lot of people to look at and fast patter to pick up on, and the colorful cast happily goes with the flow. Not a comeback for the filmmaker, but not an embarrassment either. ** from ****

If you had no clue about who the director was, you would think it's an Allen movie right from the start. You even have some of the actors we've seen in his films, lately. Even the ending reminded me of some of Woody's. Add to that a bit of Blake Edwards (Victor/Victoria period)and you have an enjoyable comedy with several stories among the main storyline. Imogen Poots is incredible as a call girl with brains and heart. She has an accent I couldn't put my finger on ( I thought she came from eastern Europe ) but have read since that it's a Brooklyn one. Owen Wilson is as you expect, funny and charming. In fact all the cast is hilarious : Watch for Jennifer Aniston's hysterical act as a therapist from hell. All in all a delightful film with a great cast.