Lightshow Entertainment
Leelee Sobieski, Kristen Johnson, Jamie Kennedy, Denise Richards, Matthew Davis
This is a porno movie. OK, no it’s not, but it’s about a porno movie. Leelee Sobieski is a grown woman now, and it’s been fun watching her develop into a real actress. I became a real fan after her performance in 2001’s “The Glass House“. Her performance was excellent, and it was a terrifying movie of treachery and child abuse. And does she look like Helen Hunt’s baby sister or what?
Anyway, Leelee’s character Jody, just graduated from film school with a statue proclaiming “Best Student Film”. She’s on her way to Hollywood to break into the film business, but she just can’t make it. She has a script, a sort of pathetic story of her own life experience, but everyone close to it who reads it tells her how great it is. She needs to get it made, but no one with the financing will give her a chance. Film director Garry Marshall, in a funny cameo, presents her with her award at graduation, and Jody develops a close relationship calling Garry’s secretary who will NEVER put her through to him. There’s a payoff for this joke later in the movie which is really funny.
Anyway, Jody mistakenly finds a job at an adult film studio “Grind” as a film editor. This looks to her as a good opportunity to take advantage of the job to film her own movie. Naturally all kinds of complications occur. There is a huge collection of misfits. Jamie Kennedy is a lovable goof named “Dick Harder” There are some hilarious scenes where he just doesn’t get it. He’s a big asset to this film and he does show the “naughty bits” if you’re interested. 🙂
This is definitely adult fare, and not for kids, but it tries to tastefully skirt around the adult film business. All in all, the people are real nice folk, but there are some rather intense scenes not appropriate for the kids. It deserves the R rating. But on the other hand, for a small film like this, it’s truly funny. There is a good heart, and these characters are really well developed. There are a few surprises, and everyone of the actors is trying to do a great job with their character, and for the most part, they are right on.
This started out as planned series for Showtime, but ended up being made into a feature film. It hit theaters briefly, but is better than you might expect. There are problems with the production, most of which could be helped by a larger budget, but somehow the amateur acting fits the mood of the movie anyway. I mean, how many porn flicks have stellar acting performances? This is a little film, but could be enjoyable if you don’t expect too much. It is an interesting look at the values we bring to the table, and how the decisions me make can either help us to reach our dreams or lose them. Jody’s parents are a hoot as well. Small parts, again, but really add to the fun.
Makes a decent rental.
Movie Review - Finding Bliss (2009) {R},
