A comedy about phone sex may not sound like a good idea, but For A Good Time, Call... manages to pull it off thanks to a good deal of humor and character development. Much of the humor here is raunchy but it works. It's not one of those dumb raunchy comedies. Some of the best bits happen when Lauren and Katie talk to their customers. One of them is Captain Jerry who's played by Seth Rogen, Lauren Miller's real-life husband. Miller plays proper young woman Lauren Powell. She was also one of the script writers, along with Katie Anne Naylon. They based the script on their real-life experiences as college roommates. Miller's performance is suitable and works well opposite Ari Graynor as Katie Steel. There's commitment from every actor involved but it's Graynor who steals every scene she's in. She has the best lines and she knows it. She plays her character like a pro. At first she doesn't seem appealing to the audience, but as the film progresses she becomes a rounded and likable personality. Although the story is set in the modern day the film still seems like one of those films from the early-1990s. It reminded me of Clerks (1994). A good script and a good setup make For A Good Time, Call... one of the better comedies of 2012. I recommend it.
38 Reviews
Uneven Comedy – Funny in Certain Moments, Lame in the Others
claudio_carvalho15 December 2013
In Manhattan, the nerd aspirant editor Lauren Powell (Lauren Anne Miller) is dumped by her boyfriend Charlie (James Wolk) that is expatriated to Rome. Meanwhile, the manicure Katie Steele (Ari Graynor) can not afford the raise in the rent of her apartment at the Gramercy Park. Their common gay friend Jesse (Justin Long) brings Lauren to share the apartment with Katie, but they are college enemies and have difficulties to accept each other. Katie also works in a phone sex line but her income is very low. When Lauren loses her lousy job and is not accepted in a publishing house, she decides to use her knowledge to make a profitable business in sex for Katie and herself. But when Lauren's parents unexpectedly appear in the apartment, their friendship is tested.
"For a Good Time, Call..." is an uneven comedy, funny in certain moments and lame in others. The religious fanatic in very unfunny; the slut Katie being a virgin is something ridiculous. But there are many scenes that make laugh. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "Para se Divertir, Ligue..." ("For a Good Time, Call...")
Note: On 21 July 2016, I saw this film again.
"For a Good Time, Call..." is an uneven comedy, funny in certain moments and lame in others. The religious fanatic in very unfunny; the slut Katie being a virgin is something ridiculous. But there are many scenes that make laugh. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): "Para se Divertir, Ligue..." ("For a Good Time, Call...")
Note: On 21 July 2016, I saw this film again.
Quirky independent comedy well worth the pennies you will spend to see it...
rachelandfilms13 June 2013
Okay first things first, I know this movie will raise a few eyebrows amongst you, but I would urge you not to base this film off of its synopsis or concept. Don't get me wrong, this film is what you think, but it's also NOT. It all revolves around two former-college "frenemies" (I really hate that term, but whatever
) who both need to find a roommate so they can stay in New York and live the "American Dream" which is when mutual friend Jesse (played by an hilariously camp Justin Long) forces them to move in together. The two women, strapped for cash, very quickly set up a phone-sex-line and realise a very lucrative, if not slightly filthy, business opportunity. The phone-sex-line however, is not the centre of this film, though it certainly plays a significant part. The heart of this film lies in the friendship that grows from this business, and this is where a lot of our laughs and "awh" moments come from. This film is borne from a post-Bridesmaids we-women-can-be-just-as- filthy-and-funny-as-men era and it takes that female empowerment to a whole new level with both ladies showing their modern-esque sexuality and embracing there situation. They don't lament their career and pity themselves for running such a service. In fact they revel in their power and it's quite an empowering, if not slightly wacky, message to bring to our screens. Aside from the I-am-woman-hear-me-roar quality to the film though comes the message of love that slowly grows between the characters, and this is where the film really grows on you. The chemistry between the two lead actors is very convincing and as I watched I couldn't help but think that they had a truly distinctive "Womance" (that's the female version of a bromance) that is rear to see in film or TV. In fact now I think about it there is no pop-culture media-frenzy womance that really comes to mind, which is irritating really. Maybe this awesome little film will pave the way for more womances in the future, I certainly hope so.
Crass and crude but sweet and cute, this female friendship is funny and enjoyable
napierslogs29 September 2012
Lauren (Lauren Miller) and Katie (Ari Graynor) have a mutual friend (Justin Long), but they hate each other. A humorous flashback scene is included to help explain their hatred. Essentially, they hate each other because they're opposites. Lauren lives the settled conservative life with her perfect, boring boyfriend; Katie is an adventurous, flamboyant sex phone operator. And now their current situations force them to become roommates.
Our ticking clock of the three-month lease sets a good, quick pace for the adventures and relationships the girls get themselves into. Lauren's sudden unemployment coupled with the good head on her shoulders sparks her idea to help Katie launch her own sex phone hotline. Cut-out the middle man and take more of the profits.
A smart move the film made was to have their business be successful right off the bat. That's because the film isn't about the phone sex hotline business but rather Lauren and Katie's friendship. Written by girls, starring girls, about girls and for girls. Earlier this summer, the male stripper movie "Magic Mike" turned into a rather nice surprise as it became a quarter-life crisis dramedy. And now the crass and crude sex comedy "For a Good Time, Call " is actually a cute and sweet female buddy film.
While the dialogue is extreme, it is surprisingly fairly well written. It's all in context, and the vulgar and coarse sex jokes fit in extremely well with the plot. The final scene, the climax if you will, is an excellent example of keeping the sex-addled jokes funny and completely in context of the story.
A certain indie filmmaker shows up for one cameo scene where self-servicing has never been as funny. The other well-documented cameo with Seth Rogen isn't nearly as funny because it is also supposed to serve as plot advancement. Plot advancement is limited as it is very predictable and the jokes are very one-note, but it's still funny.
"For a Good Time, Call " is honest in what it claims to be, and despite an unresolved storyline, we're cheering for Lauren and Katie by the end because of the actors and how they have connected them to us. Lauren is beautiful and sympathetic; Katie is more complex and is gorgeously displaying one of the sexiest figures to grace the screen.
Our ticking clock of the three-month lease sets a good, quick pace for the adventures and relationships the girls get themselves into. Lauren's sudden unemployment coupled with the good head on her shoulders sparks her idea to help Katie launch her own sex phone hotline. Cut-out the middle man and take more of the profits.
A smart move the film made was to have their business be successful right off the bat. That's because the film isn't about the phone sex hotline business but rather Lauren and Katie's friendship. Written by girls, starring girls, about girls and for girls. Earlier this summer, the male stripper movie "Magic Mike" turned into a rather nice surprise as it became a quarter-life crisis dramedy. And now the crass and crude sex comedy "For a Good Time, Call " is actually a cute and sweet female buddy film.
While the dialogue is extreme, it is surprisingly fairly well written. It's all in context, and the vulgar and coarse sex jokes fit in extremely well with the plot. The final scene, the climax if you will, is an excellent example of keeping the sex-addled jokes funny and completely in context of the story.
A certain indie filmmaker shows up for one cameo scene where self-servicing has never been as funny. The other well-documented cameo with Seth Rogen isn't nearly as funny because it is also supposed to serve as plot advancement. Plot advancement is limited as it is very predictable and the jokes are very one-note, but it's still funny.
"For a Good Time, Call " is honest in what it claims to be, and despite an unresolved storyline, we're cheering for Lauren and Katie by the end because of the actors and how they have connected them to us. Lauren is beautiful and sympathetic; Katie is more complex and is gorgeously displaying one of the sexiest figures to grace the screen.
For A Good Time, Call...2.5 out of 4 Skittles
FilmStallion6 September 2012
Co-writer and star Lauren Miller has played various smaller roles in several of her husband Seth Rogen's movies (Superbad, 50/50, Zack and Miri Make a Porno), but uses For a Good Time, Call
as an attempt to step out of her hubby's shadow and distinguish herself as a star on her own. Her script is a fun, light hearted take on the so-called taboo world of phone sex, and while the endless amount of naughty jokes are humorous to a certain extent, the gimmick runs itself a bit thin by film's end. Miller, paired with veteran ditz-for-hire Ari Graynor make a fun female version of the Odd Couple, but it doesn't take long for these characters to run out of steam on screen. Along with Miller, Graynor has long been the sidekick in other people's starring vehicles, so it's nice to see her actually get the chance to carry a movie on her own, but her persona in this flick is virtually the same to her characters in Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and The Sitter. Graynor shows flashes of what could be. I truly hope she gets the chance to do something different and show the world that she's not just a one trick pony. One plus going for the flick is the numerous cameos of big-time actors getting to come in and day play as the skeezy pervs calling into the hotline for some help with their self gratification. Rogen makes a cameo as an air pilot showing a possible reason why all our flights are delayed. Kevin Smith (Jay and Silent Bob) delivers huge laughs taking care of his business while driving a cab. Ken Marino (Party Down, Role Models) a blunt tax attorney, and Martha MacIsaac (Superbad) a female prisoner using her one phone call, also get to chime in on the fun as well. It's obvious the cast got a kick out of making this film. Although For A Good Time, Call
is fun and has its charm, it doesn't have enough weight to dig past its superficial glossy exterior and tell a truly realistic story.
Fun, quirky, dirty little comedy that flails its way through but is entertaining
Robert_duder23 January 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Low budget unfortunately often means low entertainment because of lack of experience and lack of time taken to hone the film. It seems as though sometimes comedians and amateur film makers get over excited and cram out some silly movie. I believe that For A Good Time Call this is exactly what happened. Now that being said it isn't a bad movie. It was decently entertaining, raunchy without being disgusting and over the top, and cute. It felt like it dragged a little bit but definitely got the point across and even had some fun cameos. It was far from perfect and it didn't blow me away but for all that it was, it works really well. Actually much of the time I kept thinking what a great pilot/premise this would have been for a TV comedy and I think it would have really worked well but of course would have to be on a cable network for sure. The sexual innuendo is the never ending gag in the film but given the whole plot it works quite well and you certainly will chuckle. It's well made with an okay script that will adequately entertain you but not much beyond that.
Mrs. Seth Rogen aka Lauren Miller plays one half of the lead gals. She does a really good job as the sweet and innocent Lauren Powell who eventually comes around and becomes a sex call operator. She is believable and appropriately sweet in her role. The wild child of the duo is played by Ari Graynor who certainly fits the stereotypical easy gal role. Surprisingly the two of them do click which is vital for this film. Their chemistry isn't outstanding but it is solid considering how different their characters are (which is the point.) Both roles are a little cut and dry but right for this movie. Justin Long, god bless him, tries very hard in this rambunctious role as the gay best friend of both girls. He sort of overdoes it and thank goodness they didn't put him in it more than they did because he's fun but any more of him would have been simply too much. Still he has his moments and the role is mostly fun. James Wolk, Mimi Rogers and Don McManus are particularly good in small cameo roles. Speaking of cameos it was a lot of fun seeing Kevin Smith, Seth Rogen and Nia Vardalos in small but very funny roles. I hate Seth Rogen and this was the perfect amount to see him on screen.
This is really director Jamie Travis' first full length feature and he does pretty well with the script. The film's setting is mostly in the girl's apartment but you never feel stifled so he definitely makes the most of a low budget and a "just okay" script. The script was co-written by the aforementioned Mrs. Rogen (Lauren Miller) and there is some genuine comedic talent here. I think its just a little grandiose for a full length feature film. Something about the characters and story would have just worked better in small doses (like a half hour sitcom.) The cleverness to the film is the spoofing of typical romantic comedies, and the bizarre relationship between the two main girls. Most of the time you think the two of them are going to end up together but in reality the film is simply spoofing the close relationship of two best friends. All in all it wasn't so bad and it was fun. Was it amazing? No not even close. It had a lot of holes in it but for an indie comedy it was definitely worth a brief look. 7/10
Mrs. Seth Rogen aka Lauren Miller plays one half of the lead gals. She does a really good job as the sweet and innocent Lauren Powell who eventually comes around and becomes a sex call operator. She is believable and appropriately sweet in her role. The wild child of the duo is played by Ari Graynor who certainly fits the stereotypical easy gal role. Surprisingly the two of them do click which is vital for this film. Their chemistry isn't outstanding but it is solid considering how different their characters are (which is the point.) Both roles are a little cut and dry but right for this movie. Justin Long, god bless him, tries very hard in this rambunctious role as the gay best friend of both girls. He sort of overdoes it and thank goodness they didn't put him in it more than they did because he's fun but any more of him would have been simply too much. Still he has his moments and the role is mostly fun. James Wolk, Mimi Rogers and Don McManus are particularly good in small cameo roles. Speaking of cameos it was a lot of fun seeing Kevin Smith, Seth Rogen and Nia Vardalos in small but very funny roles. I hate Seth Rogen and this was the perfect amount to see him on screen.
This is really director Jamie Travis' first full length feature and he does pretty well with the script. The film's setting is mostly in the girl's apartment but you never feel stifled so he definitely makes the most of a low budget and a "just okay" script. The script was co-written by the aforementioned Mrs. Rogen (Lauren Miller) and there is some genuine comedic talent here. I think its just a little grandiose for a full length feature film. Something about the characters and story would have just worked better in small doses (like a half hour sitcom.) The cleverness to the film is the spoofing of typical romantic comedies, and the bizarre relationship between the two main girls. Most of the time you think the two of them are going to end up together but in reality the film is simply spoofing the close relationship of two best friends. All in all it wasn't so bad and it was fun. Was it amazing? No not even close. It had a lot of holes in it but for an indie comedy it was definitely worth a brief look. 7/10
For A Good Time, Call
jordanhuntmail11 November 2012
With a premise in a similar vein to 'Zack And Miri Make A Porno', which also starred a dim- witted Seth Rogen, 'For A Good Time, Call' is a crude, daring comedy that never crosses the line simply because it doesn't have one.
Resorting to phone sex to help pay the bills in their city apartment, Lauren and Katie - two completely opposite personalities - bond despite a teenage feud still lingering. While Ari Graynor has the better role to play, Lauren Miller manages to prove she shares a sense of lowbrow humour with her husband (Rogen), who cameos in one of the film's most memorable scenes. Justin Long's flamboyant character is used to the right extent; the film never outstays its welcome in any aspect, its brisk running time only slowing for a more serious third act, a missed attempt at giving the film emotional weight where, given its no- holds barred hilarity, feels somewhat unnecessary.
Refreshing and relevant, 'For A Good Time, Call' is a chick flick for both genders; a sugary depiction of sisterhood flirting with a risqué exploration of what men enjoy about it.
Resorting to phone sex to help pay the bills in their city apartment, Lauren and Katie - two completely opposite personalities - bond despite a teenage feud still lingering. While Ari Graynor has the better role to play, Lauren Miller manages to prove she shares a sense of lowbrow humour with her husband (Rogen), who cameos in one of the film's most memorable scenes. Justin Long's flamboyant character is used to the right extent; the film never outstays its welcome in any aspect, its brisk running time only slowing for a more serious third act, a missed attempt at giving the film emotional weight where, given its no- holds barred hilarity, feels somewhat unnecessary.
Refreshing and relevant, 'For A Good Time, Call' is a chick flick for both genders; a sugary depiction of sisterhood flirting with a risqué exploration of what men enjoy about it.
A pretty funny comedy about two former enemies who start up a phone sex line. More then just a sex movie. I say B.
cosmo_tiger22 January 2013
"Hello world for a good time call 1-900-mmm-hmmm." Lauren (Miller) & Katie (Graynor) are both at a rough patch. Lauren's boyfriend is moving to Europe and she lost her job, Katie can't make enough to stay in her apartment so their mutual friend decides it's time they move in together. When they meet they remember they hate each other and it becomes tense, until they find a way to make more money then they ever dreamed of. The preview to this movie made it look very funny to me and I was excited about watching this. The cameos were great and the movie was funny but it was a little more girlie then I was expecting. This is more then a movie about phone sex, its about friendship and being true to yourself. As cheesy as that sounds watch it and you will see what I mean. While there are some pretty racy things in this it's nothing over the top so don't expect a soft-core type movie. Overall, not as funny as I was expecting but still funny and worth seeing. I give it a B.
insipid, unimaginative, unfunny, drivel
showprobiz1 September 2012
Y-A-W-N ... a perfect example of a film that had absolutely no reason to be made (other than the empty avarice, enabled by a palpable disdain for its' intended audience, manifested by the producers of such a useless, worthless, waste of time, energy, and resources), and has nothing original, intelligent, or entertaining to offer. Old, lazy, and tired, unimaginative, sitcom "writing", characters and situations. If you dislike being amused, challenged, or stimulated - go waste an hour-and-a-half having your intelligence insulted by this pointless exercise in vapidity. You would probably derive more engaging entertainment, mental stimulation, and satisfaction playing solitaire with a deck of fifty-one cards. Mimi Rogers should have passed on this embarrassment. Seth Rogen? Kevin Smith? Are you kidding? Red Flags. How do these lumps get work? I guess the poster boy for brainless pablum (Asston Kutcher) was busy. Do yourself a favor; stay away.
Sexy Time
abcvision14 October 2014
Two women are brought together because of financial hardship to live as roommates in New York City. Despite there utter dislike of each other the bond merged after their financial needs. Lavern Miller (Lauren Powell) and Katie Steele (Ari Grayner) turn the tables from being college frenemies to BFFs.
A quirky comedy about the dynamics of using sex appeal to discover the vast pot of undiscovered gold. The rated "PG" version of what could have been a salacious filled film. For A Good Time Call makes you laugh and cheer on the entrepreneurial spirit of these innovative women. I had fund watching it and listening to the silly antics thought up to squeeze one more minute of sex talk.
A quirky comedy about the dynamics of using sex appeal to discover the vast pot of undiscovered gold. The rated "PG" version of what could have been a salacious filled film. For A Good Time Call makes you laugh and cheer on the entrepreneurial spirit of these innovative women. I had fund watching it and listening to the silly antics thought up to squeeze one more minute of sex talk.
Unfunny, unsuccessful comedy
wellthatswhatithinkanyway16 May 2013
STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning
Former bosom buddies turned long separated rivals Lauren (Lauren Miller) and Katie (Ari Graynor) find themselves thrown back together by chance, through GBF Jesse (Justin Long) and after sorting out their differences, Lauren learns Katie's making ends meat by being a phone sex operator. At first repulsed by this, she agrees to help only with the business side of things, but then unleashes the inner vixen inside her.
Good, clean wholesome comedy just doesn't do the rounds any more. Not that I want it to, but it says something that yet another edgy, sex based comedy has come out of nowhere, with what must have been a pretty limited theatrical release and an even more unnoticed DVD arrival. But of course, there's probably a more obvious reason for this.
Jamie Travis's film is just not funny, with a plot that's lost your interest about twenty minutes in and is just left to wallow in the mire, with little cohesion or comic timing. Current comedy favourites Kevin Smith and Seth Rogen make only the briefest cameos and, along with the film's minimal publicity campaign, this should be saying something.
For a Good Time, Don't Watch. *
Former bosom buddies turned long separated rivals Lauren (Lauren Miller) and Katie (Ari Graynor) find themselves thrown back together by chance, through GBF Jesse (Justin Long) and after sorting out their differences, Lauren learns Katie's making ends meat by being a phone sex operator. At first repulsed by this, she agrees to help only with the business side of things, but then unleashes the inner vixen inside her.
Good, clean wholesome comedy just doesn't do the rounds any more. Not that I want it to, but it says something that yet another edgy, sex based comedy has come out of nowhere, with what must have been a pretty limited theatrical release and an even more unnoticed DVD arrival. But of course, there's probably a more obvious reason for this.
Jamie Travis's film is just not funny, with a plot that's lost your interest about twenty minutes in and is just left to wallow in the mire, with little cohesion or comic timing. Current comedy favourites Kevin Smith and Seth Rogen make only the briefest cameos and, along with the film's minimal publicity campaign, this should be saying something.
For a Good Time, Don't Watch. *
For a Better Time, View
in19845 April 2013
The film title doesn't mislead us. Sex toys, phones, and ladies are involved. It's also a relationship film, but an impressive variation from the usual romantic comedy angle.
Like another film from this year, Giant Mechanical Man, a significant part of this story involves young adults finding themselves along with happiness after what they thought was a serious relationship was ended by the significant other. And so begins the adventure. It may be we have a new type of urban adventure involving main characters exploring the unchartered territories of themselves and those close to them.
Unlike GMM, this is not nearly as predictable. Just when you think you know where it's headed, it shifts directions and explores areas that rarely get explored in film.
It also does many of the artistic things that other films keep failing to do in terms of how and who the villains/enemies are and who those you can trust are.
Another relatively low-key, indie film from 2012 doing new stuff that doesn't involve 3D, computer FX, or horribly loud audio blasted at the audience.
Like another film from this year, Giant Mechanical Man, a significant part of this story involves young adults finding themselves along with happiness after what they thought was a serious relationship was ended by the significant other. And so begins the adventure. It may be we have a new type of urban adventure involving main characters exploring the unchartered territories of themselves and those close to them.
Unlike GMM, this is not nearly as predictable. Just when you think you know where it's headed, it shifts directions and explores areas that rarely get explored in film.
It also does many of the artistic things that other films keep failing to do in terms of how and who the villains/enemies are and who those you can trust are.
Another relatively low-key, indie film from 2012 doing new stuff that doesn't involve 3D, computer FX, or horribly loud audio blasted at the audience.
A Bit of Sweetness to Cut Through the Filth
Chris_Pandolfi31 August 2012
Warning: Spoilers
"For a Good Time, Call..." exemplifies yet again why female-driven raunchy comedies tend to work better than those that are male-driven. If you think about last year's "Bridesmaids," you might realize that it wasn't only about housewives graphically describing their sexual habits or Melissa McCarthy uncontrollably defecating into a bathroom sink; it was also about its story and its characters, both undeniably crude and yet far from one-dimensional. We could willingly invest in the film on an emotional level, despite the overwhelming vulgarities. "For a Good Time, Call..." follows in this tradition, aiming to be as filthy and as sweet as possible. In the midst of excruciating sexual frankness and scores of four-letter words, we witness the development of a friendship and the beginning stages of a romance. We're actually made to care about what we're watching.
The plot centers on New Yorkers Lauren Powell (Lauren Anne Miller, also one of the writers) and Katie Steele (Ari Graynor). Their relationship in college ten years earlier was acrimonious at best; a brief flashback sequence shows a drunken Katie accidentally spilling a cup full of her own urine all over Lauren during a car ride. To this day, the two have absolutely nothing in common. If appearances are any indication, then Katie is shockingly promiscuous. Compare this to Lauren, who's far more straight-laced. It's a classic odd-couple scenario, their situations forcing them into becoming roommates. Katie is no longer able to pay the rent on her apartment, which was owned by her grandmother, now deceased. Lauren, having been abandoned by her arrogant and unendurably boring boyfriend (James Wolk) for a job in Italy, realizes that she has nowhere to live. Adding insult to injury, she has just been fired.
The two are paired by their mutual friend, the loveably sassy Jesse (Justin Long), who works with Katie at a nail salon. Initially, the animosity between Katie and Lauren lingers, and it only worsens when Lauren discovers that Katie has a second job as a phone sex operator. Things gradually start to change when a stuffy executive (Nia Vardalos) denies Lauren an editorial position at a publishing house; Katie is encouraged to quit the sex hotline she works for, which takes most of her earnings, and go into business for herself on a landline. Lauren would handle the billing. She stresses, rather emphatically, that she will never, ever become an operator like Katie, believing herself to be above that. She also makes it clear that she will do this only for their scheduled summer-long living arrangement. Katie agrees. And with that, 1 (900) MMM-HMMM is born.
Oh yes, the phone calls are every bit as raunchy as you're imagining them to be. "Colorful" is not a strong enough word to describe the language that's used; with gratuitous references to intercourse, genitals, masturbation, ejaculation, and orgasms, this is the kind of talk that would make even the foulest of foulmouths blush in embarrassment. This is true not just of Katie, but of her clients as well. Two of them are Kevin Smith and Seth Rogen making cameo appearances. The former plays a cabbie – with his fare in the back seat, no less – and the latter plays an airline pilot taking a break in the terminal restroom. Eventually, it also becomes true of Lauren, who realizes she doesn't want to be the same old boring person anymore. Katie trains her in the ways of phone sex, going so far as to make demonstrations with word diagrams and sex toys.
As business booms, so too does Katie and Lauren's friendship. This isn't to suggest that it's smooth sailing until the end of the movie. There's an emotional process at work, one that isn't normally associated with vulgar sex comedies, especially the ones starring men. In a surprisingly sweet subplot, Katie has grown close with one of her clients, a young man named Sean (Mark Webber), and the two decide to start dating; their one shot at a successful relationship is hampered by a secret one of them is keeping. Meanwhile, as Lauren struggles to keep her new profession hidden from her wealthy parents (Mimi Rogers and Don McManus), she's once again offered the editorial position at the publishing house and is tempted into accepting it. Needless to say, all this will threaten their newfound friendship.
The most astounding thing happened during a scene where Lauren utters, "I love you," to Katie. A group of young men in the audience, probably in their twenties, started laughing. I think I know why they did this: They interpreted the line as a homoerotic gag. They were probably used to guy-oriented sex comedies, where such words are typically intended to sound or be overtly gay. How interesting that the women in the audience remained silent. Could it be that they had a better understanding of love, that they recognized it as a multifaceted concept not limited to physical attraction? "For a Good Time, Call..." is not a perfect film – certain characters are underutilized, and the subplot featuring Lauren's parents remains unresolved – but it certainly is much better than certain audiences will give it credit for.
-- Chris Pandolfi
The plot centers on New Yorkers Lauren Powell (Lauren Anne Miller, also one of the writers) and Katie Steele (Ari Graynor). Their relationship in college ten years earlier was acrimonious at best; a brief flashback sequence shows a drunken Katie accidentally spilling a cup full of her own urine all over Lauren during a car ride. To this day, the two have absolutely nothing in common. If appearances are any indication, then Katie is shockingly promiscuous. Compare this to Lauren, who's far more straight-laced. It's a classic odd-couple scenario, their situations forcing them into becoming roommates. Katie is no longer able to pay the rent on her apartment, which was owned by her grandmother, now deceased. Lauren, having been abandoned by her arrogant and unendurably boring boyfriend (James Wolk) for a job in Italy, realizes that she has nowhere to live. Adding insult to injury, she has just been fired.
The two are paired by their mutual friend, the loveably sassy Jesse (Justin Long), who works with Katie at a nail salon. Initially, the animosity between Katie and Lauren lingers, and it only worsens when Lauren discovers that Katie has a second job as a phone sex operator. Things gradually start to change when a stuffy executive (Nia Vardalos) denies Lauren an editorial position at a publishing house; Katie is encouraged to quit the sex hotline she works for, which takes most of her earnings, and go into business for herself on a landline. Lauren would handle the billing. She stresses, rather emphatically, that she will never, ever become an operator like Katie, believing herself to be above that. She also makes it clear that she will do this only for their scheduled summer-long living arrangement. Katie agrees. And with that, 1 (900) MMM-HMMM is born.
Oh yes, the phone calls are every bit as raunchy as you're imagining them to be. "Colorful" is not a strong enough word to describe the language that's used; with gratuitous references to intercourse, genitals, masturbation, ejaculation, and orgasms, this is the kind of talk that would make even the foulest of foulmouths blush in embarrassment. This is true not just of Katie, but of her clients as well. Two of them are Kevin Smith and Seth Rogen making cameo appearances. The former plays a cabbie – with his fare in the back seat, no less – and the latter plays an airline pilot taking a break in the terminal restroom. Eventually, it also becomes true of Lauren, who realizes she doesn't want to be the same old boring person anymore. Katie trains her in the ways of phone sex, going so far as to make demonstrations with word diagrams and sex toys.
As business booms, so too does Katie and Lauren's friendship. This isn't to suggest that it's smooth sailing until the end of the movie. There's an emotional process at work, one that isn't normally associated with vulgar sex comedies, especially the ones starring men. In a surprisingly sweet subplot, Katie has grown close with one of her clients, a young man named Sean (Mark Webber), and the two decide to start dating; their one shot at a successful relationship is hampered by a secret one of them is keeping. Meanwhile, as Lauren struggles to keep her new profession hidden from her wealthy parents (Mimi Rogers and Don McManus), she's once again offered the editorial position at the publishing house and is tempted into accepting it. Needless to say, all this will threaten their newfound friendship.
The most astounding thing happened during a scene where Lauren utters, "I love you," to Katie. A group of young men in the audience, probably in their twenties, started laughing. I think I know why they did this: They interpreted the line as a homoerotic gag. They were probably used to guy-oriented sex comedies, where such words are typically intended to sound or be overtly gay. How interesting that the women in the audience remained silent. Could it be that they had a better understanding of love, that they recognized it as a multifaceted concept not limited to physical attraction? "For a Good Time, Call..." is not a perfect film – certain characters are underutilized, and the subplot featuring Lauren's parents remains unresolved – but it certainly is much better than certain audiences will give it credit for.
-- Chris Pandolfi
For a Good Time, Skip It
pampowell527 August 2012
Warning: Spoilers
"For a Good Time, Call...premiered at Sundance this winter. It was about 2 women who couldn't stand each other during their college years and were then forced to live together due to circumstances beyond their control...and due to a meddling friend they had in common. Their gorgeous NYC apartment far exceeded their meager wages which pushed the two to be more creative in their ability to earn a dollar. The phone sex business seemed to suit them well. As the two built their business, they began to like each other more. OK, this could be funny. But once again, true to so many movies, all the funny (or even relatively funny) scenes were revealed in the trailers. So, I checked off "funny" on my list of hopes for this movie. Next on the list? Item #2: Well-written and creative. Nope. OK, on to item #3: Great acting. We're not exactly batting a thousand here. Last item #4: Entertaining. Jeez...can't even give it much credit for that either! It was mildly entertaining at best.
Ari Graynor, Lauren Miller, and Justin Long starred in this mediocre, rather crass, and not-so- funny comedy. There were some mildly humorous parts, but all in all, not worth my time. I believe that it was definitely geared solely toward the 20 to 30-something female age group who might be able to appreciate just going to a total escapism movie about women. At 40- something, I want my entertainment, no matter what the topic, to be smart and creative. This was not.
Ari Graynor, Lauren Miller, and Justin Long starred in this mediocre, rather crass, and not-so- funny comedy. There were some mildly humorous parts, but all in all, not worth my time. I believe that it was definitely geared solely toward the 20 to 30-something female age group who might be able to appreciate just going to a total escapism movie about women. At 40- something, I want my entertainment, no matter what the topic, to be smart and creative. This was not.
The Female Buddy film is doing fine these days.
JohnDeSando13 September 2012
Warning: Spoilers
For a Good Time, Call . . . is not the sexiest movie you'll see this year, even though it is about phone sex with some very racy language. It isn't about gay friendship either, although some of the situations might suggest that notion. No, it's about the business of friendship, the need to accept and nurture differences until real love emerges, not phony stuff.
Frenemies from college, Lauren (Lauren Miller) and Katie (Ari Graynor), are thrown together in their living arrangement and, overcoming their original dislike for each other (Katie spilled a large cup of urine on Lauren in college), start a successful phone-sex business. Yet that raunchy language doesn't shock probably because it's so dislocated in phone lines that it loses any immediacy and sensuality.
The real heat of this light comedy is in the growing love between the two principals. As different as they are blond and brunette, they are alike in their passionate need for loving relationships, not the superficial bromances of Judd Apatow, but more like his sisterly production of Bridesmaids, itself raunchy but with wit that transcends the male equivalent comedies.
For a Good Time is more like I Love You, Man as it navigates close same sex friendship. The two actresses are important to the film's success: cute and smart, Graynor and Miller are distaff Butch and Sundance best buddy characters. Graynor has comedic heft and looks that remind me of Bette Midler; Miller's opening scene with lover James Wolk's Charlie is one of the most realistic takes on a split in recent memory.
The film is not without its formulas and clichés, such as enemies becoming friends, the gay best friend, and the clueless rich parents. The last third of the film is filled with formulaic resolution, especially the breakup that will never stick. But that lack of imagination serves to highlight the imaginative novelty of new women who will say "I love you" to each other loud, openly, and without guilt.
The film fails to give any insight into the art and success of phone sex or its enduring allure. That Katie is falling for a regular customer, Sean (mark Webber), does more to open the question about the downside of the biz, namely the potential perverts, than it does to expand the romantic possibilities of the comedy itself.
Perhaps that's another comedy that the Bridesmaids and Hangover filmmakers, including Judd Apatow, would like to try, given that women have now permanently entered into hitherto male only romantic comedy territory.
Frenemies from college, Lauren (Lauren Miller) and Katie (Ari Graynor), are thrown together in their living arrangement and, overcoming their original dislike for each other (Katie spilled a large cup of urine on Lauren in college), start a successful phone-sex business. Yet that raunchy language doesn't shock probably because it's so dislocated in phone lines that it loses any immediacy and sensuality.
The real heat of this light comedy is in the growing love between the two principals. As different as they are blond and brunette, they are alike in their passionate need for loving relationships, not the superficial bromances of Judd Apatow, but more like his sisterly production of Bridesmaids, itself raunchy but with wit that transcends the male equivalent comedies.
For a Good Time is more like I Love You, Man as it navigates close same sex friendship. The two actresses are important to the film's success: cute and smart, Graynor and Miller are distaff Butch and Sundance best buddy characters. Graynor has comedic heft and looks that remind me of Bette Midler; Miller's opening scene with lover James Wolk's Charlie is one of the most realistic takes on a split in recent memory.
The film is not without its formulas and clichés, such as enemies becoming friends, the gay best friend, and the clueless rich parents. The last third of the film is filled with formulaic resolution, especially the breakup that will never stick. But that lack of imagination serves to highlight the imaginative novelty of new women who will say "I love you" to each other loud, openly, and without guilt.
The film fails to give any insight into the art and success of phone sex or its enduring allure. That Katie is falling for a regular customer, Sean (mark Webber), does more to open the question about the downside of the biz, namely the potential perverts, than it does to expand the romantic possibilities of the comedy itself.
Perhaps that's another comedy that the Bridesmaids and Hangover filmmakers, including Judd Apatow, would like to try, given that women have now permanently entered into hitherto male only romantic comedy territory.
Lauren Miller and Ari Graynor pretty good chemistry
SnoopyStyle31 August 2013
Lauren Powell (Lauren Miller) has money trouble and needs a roommate for an amazing Gramercy Park apartment. Her best friend Jesse (Justin Long) finds her a roommate, only they already know each other. She's Katie (Ari Graynor) and was a college frenemy. The money trouble continues and Lauren decide to join Katie in a phone sex business.
Lauren Miller is probably best known for being Seth Rogen's wife which is probably unfair. She's the co-writer and star of this movie. The chemistry between the girls is pretty good. There's up and down which is what the movie is about. The movie is marginally funny. Not all the setups work out well. The chemistry helps a little.
Lauren Miller is probably best known for being Seth Rogen's wife which is probably unfair. She's the co-writer and star of this movie. The chemistry between the girls is pretty good. There's up and down which is what the movie is about. The movie is marginally funny. Not all the setups work out well. The chemistry helps a little.
Better than I was expecting, likeable characters with an unusual plot
bittersweet_smiler30 January 2024
I came across this knowing nothing about the plot, because I enjoy seeing Ari Graynor and Justin Long in anything they're in, and the cameos from Kevin Smith and Ken Marino and Seth Rogen sounded fun, and with Seth's wife Lauren Miller as the co-lead it seemed enjoyable.
It starts off a bit slow with 3 characters who dislike each other, but when the 2 main characters find a common interest they warm to each other and it becomes more watchable.
It was funnier than I was expecting, not laugh out loud funny and there are times where the story takes over from the comedy, but I was giggling several times, and the characters are so likeable and adorable that you can't help but support them and want to see them succeed.
The twist towards the end is a bit strange and unexpected, but isn't too jarring to distract from the main plot. Although the plot resolves this almost immediately as soon as it's brought up, and soon after this the movie just ends.
It's a fun concept, the characters aren't very well developed, but it's enjoyable enough to keep you engaged during the short run time.
It starts off a bit slow with 3 characters who dislike each other, but when the 2 main characters find a common interest they warm to each other and it becomes more watchable.
It was funnier than I was expecting, not laugh out loud funny and there are times where the story takes over from the comedy, but I was giggling several times, and the characters are so likeable and adorable that you can't help but support them and want to see them succeed.
The twist towards the end is a bit strange and unexpected, but isn't too jarring to distract from the main plot. Although the plot resolves this almost immediately as soon as it's brought up, and soon after this the movie just ends.
It's a fun concept, the characters aren't very well developed, but it's enjoyable enough to keep you engaged during the short run time.
For a Good Time...You Could Do Worse Than This Movie
evanston_dad10 September 2013
When this movie first started, I thought it was going to be outright bad. But its off-beat rhythm grew on me, and by the time it was over I found myself enjoying it quite a lot.
Lauren Miller and Ari Graynor play roommates who first hate each other and then become best friends when they team up to run a phone sex business. There are some predictable conflicts that do more to slow the film down than add interest, but there are enough surprises along the way to keep the film from turning into the predictable sitcom it might otherwise have been.
Justin Long has a supporting role as the flamboyant gay man that has become a stock character in every movie that wants to earn its hip and edgy badge, and though I can acknowledge that the lines coming out of his mouth were funny, they weren't funny enough to overcome my complete resistance to him as an actor.
Grade: B+
Lauren Miller and Ari Graynor play roommates who first hate each other and then become best friends when they team up to run a phone sex business. There are some predictable conflicts that do more to slow the film down than add interest, but there are enough surprises along the way to keep the film from turning into the predictable sitcom it might otherwise have been.
Justin Long has a supporting role as the flamboyant gay man that has become a stock character in every movie that wants to earn its hip and edgy badge, and though I can acknowledge that the lines coming out of his mouth were funny, they weren't funny enough to overcome my complete resistance to him as an actor.
Grade: B+
For Half A Good Time, Watch This Movie!
rtp424221 August 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Lauren (Lauren Miller) and Katie Steele (Ari Graynor) both need a roommate. Lauren just broke up with her boyfriend, Charlie (James Wolk) and Katie is behind on the rent. They are introduced by a mutual friend, Jesse (Justin Long) and just like that Lauren and Katie remember they hated each other in college. Realizing they have no alternatives for living in such a nice apartment the two enemies move in together and patch up their differences. Soon after they move in, Lauren loses her job, and Katie shares a little secret, she's an operator on a phone sex line. With job prospects not looking so good, Lauren becomes a call screener for Katie and they start their own phone sex line called 1-800-MMM-HMM. The phone sex line is so successful that they hire another talker named Krissy (Sugar Lynn Beard) but Krissy is a fundamentalist Christian, more interested in saving souls than talking dirty. With nowhere else to turn Katie asks Lauren to join her as on air talent? What does Lauren do? When Lauren gets a legitimate job offer at a publishing firm, and her ex asks her to come back, does she leave her new BFF Katie in the dust? I like this movie, but it's a qualified like. It made me laugh, especially Justin Long's character. There is also a very funny cameo by Seth Rogan, that I was not expecting. I don't like how they seemingly had to choose phone sex operator as a profession, Hollywood has this fixation of making all women either prostitutes, and now a step up from prostitutes, phone sex operators. Where is the phone sex operator booth on career day? Don't go looking for it ladies, as much as Hollywood wants you to do it, don't be tempted. I was also put off by yet another portrayal of a Christian as a Bible thumping fundamentalist. To Hollywood Christians are basically one joke characters. And finally, this movie makes a mistake that many comedies make, it tries to get serious, and that's when Katie, loses all her edge and becomes a conventional, even hackneyed character. The ending is muddled and meaningless, which added to my ambivalence about this movie, but Justin Long is consistently funny as the ubiquitous gay character, Seth Rogan is funny in his cameo, and the banter between Miller and Graynor is pretty good for the first half of the movie, but falters. The pacing is slow, for a 90 minute movie, it seems much longer. This movie is not for kids, hence the R-rating. A well-deserved R for all the sex talk. There shouldn't have been so much, and it wasn't even the funniest part of the movie. For a good Time Call or more accurately
for half a good time watch.
Fun but not very good
JenniferClapton7 August 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Contains SPOILERS: The blonde is totally vindictive and a brat and hated the brunette for no reason. She urinated in the brunette's car so the brunette kicked her out in a bad neighborhood. Uhhh, yeah, I would have done worse if some drunk fool did that in my new car. I would have been po'd, shoved her out of my car and would be tempted to strike her. I could see no reason for the blonde to hate her for that but whatever.
Anyway, they become friends and business partners and so on and so on. Equally stupid is the blonde who is a very sexually open, flamboyant phone sex operator who ends up being a virgin (no offense to phone sex operators, I am one myself). A virgin? Uh...OK, LAME.
Then that religious fanatic comes in undercover to apply for a job with the girls just to sabotage their business. Again, LAME.
But it was fun for me to see the male callers that phoned in, LOL. Working in the industry myself, I got a laugh out of that, pretty accurate.
Anyway, they become friends and business partners and so on and so on. Equally stupid is the blonde who is a very sexually open, flamboyant phone sex operator who ends up being a virgin (no offense to phone sex operators, I am one myself). A virgin? Uh...OK, LAME.
Then that religious fanatic comes in undercover to apply for a job with the girls just to sabotage their business. Again, LAME.
But it was fun for me to see the male callers that phoned in, LOL. Working in the industry myself, I got a laugh out of that, pretty accurate.
Not so good, but you'll have some laughs
Bored_Dragon2 February 2018
Two seemingly completely different girls, who hate each other since college, by (un)happy circumstances become roommates and start their own hotline agency. Anything more than this would be spoilers. Lauren Miller-Rogen and Ari Graynor are really charismatic and you'll fall in love with them from the beginning. Movie starts quite boring and develops into mediocre comedy, but near the end I was laughing out-loud and because of it, although movie overall doesn't deserve it, I'll rate it
7/10
7/10
For A Bad Time, Watch...
blametaker7712 January 2017
FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL... is so bad that Justin Long plays a flamboyant homosexual in the film and that isn't even the worst thing about it... enough said. That said, I must continue in the hope of warning others. This film is less a film and more a crime against humanity. The lead characters are a pair of unpleasant, unintelligent, and UNFUNNY bimbos played by two actors/women who fail at acting like women but succeed in channeling the most annoying female stereotypes anyone could imagine. Out of the gate, this trash has nothing going for it, and can ultimately be categorized as Judd Apatow derivative (thanks, guy, for ruining a generation) riddled with obnoxiously cheap cameos by everyone from Kevin Smith to Seth Rogen. Also, I am a straight male and even I was offended by how women and homosexuals were portrayed in this shlockfest. As for minorities, I can't recall seeing too many, and I was really paying attention because FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL... is so horrific that out of sheer morbid curiosity, it is impossible to look away.
For a Good Time, See... THIS MOVIE
loganbhardy23 January 2012
Attended the World Premier of For a Good Time, Call... at the Sundance Film Festival
If you liked Bridesmaids you'll want to see this movie. For a Good Time, Call... had the audience in stitches the whole way through. It somehow manages to be both raunchy and sweet at the same time. Cameo's with Seth Rogen and Kevin Smith were hilarious. Ari Graynor is perversely funny. (that's a compliment) Lauren Miller is just too damn cute. And Justin Long WOULD make a great Bond villain. I loved it and if you're not a complete prude I think you'll find things to love as well.
If you liked Bridesmaids you'll want to see this movie. For a Good Time, Call... had the audience in stitches the whole way through. It somehow manages to be both raunchy and sweet at the same time. Cameo's with Seth Rogen and Kevin Smith were hilarious. Ari Graynor is perversely funny. (that's a compliment) Lauren Miller is just too damn cute. And Justin Long WOULD make a great Bond villain. I loved it and if you're not a complete prude I think you'll find things to love as well.
Cute, Quirky, Fun.
sofiecatlover3 August 2013
When I decided to watch this film it was because I wanted something light-hearted and easy to watch. I'm not a huge chick flick fan but I was really positively surprised with this film.
It was very funny and the main emphasis was about friendship over anything else. Don't get me wrong there was some saucy humour in there and it was definitely the kind of film you'd watch after a couple of drink with the girls, but it was more than that; and I think girls and guys alike will enjoy.
The main characters complimented each other well and although they were both flawed that just emphasised their likability.
So if you want something a bit naughty and a bit fun I would definitely recommend.
It was very funny and the main emphasis was about friendship over anything else. Don't get me wrong there was some saucy humour in there and it was definitely the kind of film you'd watch after a couple of drink with the girls, but it was more than that; and I think girls and guys alike will enjoy.
The main characters complimented each other well and although they were both flawed that just emphasised their likability.
So if you want something a bit naughty and a bit fun I would definitely recommend.
Laugh out loud funny!!
michael-lewis-nyc4 February 2012
I had the privilege of seeing the premiere in Sundance and nearly peed my pants with laughter! I had read a blurb about the movie and heard comparisons to Bridesmaids, but this is the epitome of an independent comedy without the typical and predictable Hollywood plot lines.
Without giving too much away, this movie was very funny from the first scene to the last and the characters were not afraid to be REAL. There conversations were real, behaviors were real and emotions were real. I fell in love with Ari Graynor as an actress and can not believe she is not a mega-star already. I had never even heard of Lauren Miller (but found out she's married to Seth Rogen) prior to this, but this will most certainly be her breakout film. I am smiling and laughing as I am typing this!
For a Good Time Call is exactly what you think about with an independent film - no sugar coating or dumbing down to make it appeal to a mass audience. As sappy as it sounds, I laughed and nearly cried at the end and when the curtain went up at Sundance I was one of the people who stood up and clapped vigorously. I cannot wait for this movie to hit the theaters and I am hopeful the writers and actors are thinking about a sequel as I never wanted this one to end!
Without giving too much away, this movie was very funny from the first scene to the last and the characters were not afraid to be REAL. There conversations were real, behaviors were real and emotions were real. I fell in love with Ari Graynor as an actress and can not believe she is not a mega-star already. I had never even heard of Lauren Miller (but found out she's married to Seth Rogen) prior to this, but this will most certainly be her breakout film. I am smiling and laughing as I am typing this!
For a Good Time Call is exactly what you think about with an independent film - no sugar coating or dumbing down to make it appeal to a mass audience. As sappy as it sounds, I laughed and nearly cried at the end and when the curtain went up at Sundance I was one of the people who stood up and clapped vigorously. I cannot wait for this movie to hit the theaters and I am hopeful the writers and actors are thinking about a sequel as I never wanted this one to end!
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