The House Bunny - Review by Becky Kinder
Bad casting and skimpy comedy for this ‘Bunny’
Becky Kinder
Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Updated: Wednesday, September 10, 2008
I know that “The House Bunny” is supposed to be funny and point out that we should all be secure with who we are, even though society may not appreciate us. I know the same women who wrote “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Legally Blonde” teamed up to pen “The House Bunny,” which should have made for an entertaining movie. I know that Anna Faris is superb when it comes to her comedic timing, delivery and expertise in giving a glazed-over stare.
What I also know is that the talent of one actress does not make a funny and well-made movie.
Expectations for this film were not especially high, but knowing it was produced under Adam Sandler’s production company, Happy Madison, creates some expectation for what I like to call a “well-made stupid comedy,” which is where films such as “Talladega Nights” and “Tommy Boy” can be classified.
“The House Bunny,” however, was not well-made...it was just stupid. Granted, I did laugh at times, but even Faris cannot carry something as poorly written, directed and acted as this film was.
The story is basic: Playboy bunny and centerfold hopeful gets kicked out of the Playboy mansion for being too old, finds socially-inept ugly ducklings to take under her wing and turn into swans, and systematically gets them laid and saves their sorority chapter at the same time. Did I mention Faris’ bunny, “Shelley Darlingson,” grew up in an orphanage and was never adopted (though the rest of the orphanage was) because she was too unattractive until blossoming as a teen just in time to be swept up by Playboy? Every story in this film is as used as Hugh Hefner’s bed must have been in the ’60s.
Some of the better moments of the film came when it seemed the cast wasn’t trying so hard. At times Emma Stone gave a performance that seemed more improvised, especially in the scene next to Faris at the foot of the Zeta house stairs. There were a few other more natural moments from a couple of the other cast members, but those got lost in the over-bearing muck that was thrown around through the rest of the film.
Over-the-top characters, such as Carrie Mae (Dana Goodman), trampled through the wrong movie, filling the screen with so many different acting styles it felt like somebody was constantly changing the channel on a TV. Director Fred Wolf didn’t stick with a clear vision and style, and seems to have simply allowed whatever he thought was funny at the time stay in the movie, regardless of how unfitting it ended up being in the final product.
A rabbit’s foot would not bring enough luck to any of the hordes of people who had cameos and cannot act. One or two sports stars or Heffner and his girlfriends - all with stiff delivery - can be forgiven, but this film is packed with scenes that would be better performed by many high school theatre departments.
Those who actually have the talent to be in a movie, such as Colin Hanks, are upstaged by the pathetic attempts of other cast members and how bad other scenes are. Even stand-up comedian Owen Benjamin, somebody one would think could pull off a small role, should never appear in a film again.
The few laughs you’ll get watching “The House Bunny” are not worth the price or the time you’ll have spent in the theatre. You could even wait to catch it once it eventually airs on a cable network for free. You wouldn’t be missing much. Personally, I think there’s a better chance you’d have more fun doing The Bunny Hop at your second cousin’s wedding.
STARS: 2 out of 4
OUR VIEW: Tired script and direction, mixed with multiple unfocused acting styles, cannot hide under Anna Faris’ talent.
SUMMARY: Social outcasts and a Playboy bunny all help each other stop trying to be anything but who they are.
Becky Kinder
Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Updated: Wednesday, September 10, 2008
I know that “The House Bunny” is supposed to be funny and point out that we should all be secure with who we are, even though society may not appreciate us. I know the same women who wrote “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Legally Blonde” teamed up to pen “The House Bunny,” which should have made for an entertaining movie. I know that Anna Faris is superb when it comes to her comedic timing, delivery and expertise in giving a glazed-over stare.
What I also know is that the talent of one actress does not make a funny and well-made movie.
Expectations for this film were not especially high, but knowing it was produced under Adam Sandler’s production company, Happy Madison, creates some expectation for what I like to call a “well-made stupid comedy,” which is where films such as “Talladega Nights” and “Tommy Boy” can be classified.
“The House Bunny,” however, was not well-made...it was just stupid. Granted, I did laugh at times, but even Faris cannot carry something as poorly written, directed and acted as this film was.
The story is basic: Playboy bunny and centerfold hopeful gets kicked out of the Playboy mansion for being too old, finds socially-inept ugly ducklings to take under her wing and turn into swans, and systematically gets them laid and saves their sorority chapter at the same time. Did I mention Faris’ bunny, “Shelley Darlingson,” grew up in an orphanage and was never adopted (though the rest of the orphanage was) because she was too unattractive until blossoming as a teen just in time to be swept up by Playboy? Every story in this film is as used as Hugh Hefner’s bed must have been in the ’60s.
Some of the better moments of the film came when it seemed the cast wasn’t trying so hard. At times Emma Stone gave a performance that seemed more improvised, especially in the scene next to Faris at the foot of the Zeta house stairs. There were a few other more natural moments from a couple of the other cast members, but those got lost in the over-bearing muck that was thrown around through the rest of the film.
Over-the-top characters, such as Carrie Mae (Dana Goodman), trampled through the wrong movie, filling the screen with so many different acting styles it felt like somebody was constantly changing the channel on a TV. Director Fred Wolf didn’t stick with a clear vision and style, and seems to have simply allowed whatever he thought was funny at the time stay in the movie, regardless of how unfitting it ended up being in the final product.
A rabbit’s foot would not bring enough luck to any of the hordes of people who had cameos and cannot act. One or two sports stars or Heffner and his girlfriends - all with stiff delivery - can be forgiven, but this film is packed with scenes that would be better performed by many high school theatre departments.
Those who actually have the talent to be in a movie, such as Colin Hanks, are upstaged by the pathetic attempts of other cast members and how bad other scenes are. Even stand-up comedian Owen Benjamin, somebody one would think could pull off a small role, should never appear in a film again.
The few laughs you’ll get watching “The House Bunny” are not worth the price or the time you’ll have spent in the theatre. You could even wait to catch it once it eventually airs on a cable network for free. You wouldn’t be missing much. Personally, I think there’s a better chance you’d have more fun doing The Bunny Hop at your second cousin’s wedding.
STARS: 2 out of 4
OUR VIEW: Tired script and direction, mixed with multiple unfocused acting styles, cannot hide under Anna Faris’ talent.
SUMMARY: Social outcasts and a Playboy bunny all help each other stop trying to be anything but who they are.
Labels: Anna Faris, Becky Kinder, movies, Review, The House Bunny
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