She’s Funny That Way (2015) (English Language)

Review

93min

Genre:    Comedy

Director: Peter Bogdanovich

Cast:      Imogen Poots, Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston…and more

Writers : Peter Bogdanovich, Louise Stratten

“Izzy” is a fast-talking Brooklyn call-girl and aspiring actress whose client “meeting” with Broadway director Arnold becomes life-changing when she unknowingly auditions for one of his plays, when everyone agrees Izzy must get the part a series of encounters brings the lives of everyone around them together in the most uncomfortable way possible in this farcical comedy from writer/director Peter Bogdanovich.

A refreshing change of pace from the strikingly irreverent and lewd comedies of recent years, ‘She’s Funny That Way’ harks back to the comedy-farces of “Golden Age” Hollywood with larger-than-life characters in cringeworthy comedic situations that seem to surround the familiar “hooker with a heart of gold” character striving for a better life.

 But rather than bringing something new to the genre this film seems to be stuck in a bygone era and often feels like a Eulogy to “Old” Hollywood, the result of which is a lackluster comedy that’s far less entertaining than it should be considering its constituent components and impressive cast.

 Stylistically ‘She’s Funny That Way’ takes from early-era directors like Capra et-al but there’s a generous hint of Woody Allen only without the subtlety and perceptive nature, yet as a straight “screwball” comedy it’s nowhere near as funny or entertaining as something like ‘A Fish Called Wanda’.

 Although certainly not an instant comedy classic, cult or otherwise, the film is not without its charms and Imogen Poots as “Izzy” delivers a commendable performance despite a rather thick stereotypical Brooklyn accent which works nevertheless and is impressive from a young Londoner.

 The Bottom Line…

Bogdanovich’s first feature-film directorial foray in nearly 15 years is a charming enough affair but ultimately ‘She’s Funny That Way’ is a mediocre comedy that’s disappointingly stuck in the past while wasting the talents of a perfectly good cast.

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Similar films you may like (Home Video)

A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

An unlikely group of oddballs and over-the-top characters converge in London to pull-off a con which is destined to result in treachery in this sometimes lewd, often screwball and utterly British comedy-farce featuring the talents of one third of Monty Python and an all-star American duo.

Directed by Charles Crichton and starring John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline among others.

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