You put up with a lot of raunch, and a rough beginning, to get to the fun in the sex comedy "For a Good Time, Call … ."
Mousy Lauren (played by Lauren Anne Miller) gets dumped by her boring boyfriend, just as brassy Katie (Ari Graynor) faces eviction. Flaming-gay mutual friend Jesse (Justin Long) urges them to become roommates, despite the fact they hate each other.
Lauren learns Katie's big money-making secret: She takes phone-sex calls. Lauren figures out Katie would make more money if she ran her own service. Eventually, Lauren starts taking calls, too, and the girl-power bonding begins.
The script, by Miller and Katie Anne Naylon, wallows in verbal vulgarity and some not-too-funny cameos before settling into a charming odd-couple friendship comedy.
That's where rookie director Jamie Travis unleashes his secret weapon: Graynor, who confidently graduates from best-friend roles ("Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist," "Celeste & Jesse Forever") to a witty, wise-cracking and hilariously sexy leading lady.
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'For a Good Time, Call...'
Opens Friday, Sept. 14, at the Broadway Centre Cinemas; rated PG-13 for violence and some scary images; 95 minutes. For more movie reviews, visit nowsaltlake.com/movies.