Well done, sometimes funny

vchimpanzee

Elektra and Holly are in jail about to be hanged for a crime they didn't commit. Their solution to the problem involves taking off most of their clothes.

Actually, Elektra is a porn star and Holly is an actress and a hooker And when Holly goes to her other job working with Bambi, something undesirable almost happens that cannot be mentioned on broadcast TV, though some of the words left in explain the situation clearly enough.

Elektra has a doctor's appointment in a tall building. There, she finds out she is pregnant, and Nick is the likely father. We'll learn about him later. Also in the same building is Doris, who is on the phone with her troubled sister Addy.

Addy and her adorable daughter Charlotte are in therapy. Today it is Charlotte's turn to visit Maxine. Maxine's husband Travis has a terrible secret which will turn Maxine's life upside down, but for now let's worry about Charlotte, who believes she sees ghosts.

Doris and Elektra get stuck in the elevator together. At first they hate each other, but with a serious wildfire problem, the fire department's first priority is not them. So they have to adapt to the situation, take off most of their clothes because of the heat, and learn about each other in well-written, deep and disturbing discussions.

Cora is the flight attendant who flirts with rock star Nick, while Maggie is her level-headed partner. Something terrible happens on the flight and they have to figure out what to do.

Holly and Bambi take Maxine to a bar to deal with their problems by drinking. Maxine makes it home all right, though she is quite drunk, and she must eventually confront Travis, who gets her undressed.

Holly, who is upset no one remembered her birthday, ends up spending the night at the apartment of the bartender (I don't remember her name) and the bartender's lesbian masseuse roomie Darby. Darby really helps Holly feel better about her problems (no, that's NOT what I mean, though Holly does take her clothes off).

Some of the women solve their problems, and some of them are worse off. But it's an enjoyable process watching them work things out.

There are lots of great performances here, and good writing, and lots of laughs even though some scenes are quite serious.

Connie Britton shows us here why she is one of the few actresses on broadcast TV who can get nominated for an Emmy. Plus she still looks so beautiful; Rayna James in 2015 is starting to show her age.

Adrianne Palicki, who worked with Britton on "Friday Night Lights" (but doesn't have any scenes with her here), shows how talented she is when Holly, who is normally a "dumb blonde" with very clever writing, turns out to be smart about some things. But one of those scenes apparently showing Holly to be smart is actually showing showing how clueless she is. The writing there is great.

Carla Gugino as Elektra and Emmanuelle Chriqui as Bambi both do well in their roles.

I can't remember the bartender's name but the actress does a good job. She's very helpful.

Sarah Clarke makes a very good therapist but may soon end up needing therapy herself.

Cameron Richardson as the pleasant and friendly masseuse also stands out.

I don't recall the name for this technique, but several characters experience seeing numerous images in only a few seconds. The slow-motion button on TiVo is your friend.

Do NOT leave during the closing credits. I wondered why I didn't remember Joseph Gordon-Levitt when I saw his name. Bert Rodriguez interviews our two porn stars AFTER the credits, and that's a must-see!

This whole movie is really worth seeing.

score /10

vchimpanzee 30 March 2015

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3211077/