Smiley Face

Anna Faris is the best female comedienne Hollywood has going. Why don't they cast her in a good romantic comedy (a hard genre to pull off) or a comedy with sharp writing?

No matter what part she plays, there's a sexy intelligence to her that's rare. And, she goes full throttle into a role, no matter how silly it is; this girl is fearless.

In Smiley Face, she plays a stoned girl whom gets into one wrong situation after another because she's stoned. I've known a lot of stoners -- Faris' clueless expressions are spot on. Unlike lesser actors who overdo the stoner drawl, etc, Faris doesn't try too hard. She hits every note perfectly.

But is the film good? The writing is uneven -- mostly bland, but it has some witty moments. The Regan-bit was funny. It's definitely a fun little cult movie, because of Faris' performance.

It isn't the high quality film Faris' talents deserve. The best film I've seen her in so far, in terms of writing and letting her natural intelligence cut loose, is Waiting -- and even then, she was underused.

Maybe Hollywood will get wise and get this girl a part with good writing and first class directing. Smiley Face could have been an awful film -- un-watchable. Faris makes it fun. So many times in films it seems anyone could play certain parts because the writing is so dull; here, the writing is mostly unremarkable, but Faris gives it life. It's hard to imagine any other actress of her generation being able to carve a decent movie from so little.

Saw it when it came out at Blockbuster, I wasn't impressed the first time around, found a copy just a while back and watched it again, it was pretty funny with the inside jokes and innuendo and general silliness, and if you've ever been too baked on edibles you just know how bad it can be trying to accomplish things Her misadventures and innocence are a trip, she was annoying and cute at the same time, good for a rainy Sunday afternoon in.

This movie is now in one of my top five stoner movies. For people who don't smoke, I don't think it's the right experience for you. I watched this movie quite baked, and it was hilarious. I seriously laughed out loud many times, only because of Anna Faris. She was probably the best element of the movie.Her acting was priceless, seriously, she looked so freaking baked for the entire movie it was so hilarious to see! Very good jokes and overall very funny movie! But for the plot, it's for sure not the most epic and complex tale of the history... It's actually very omnipresent but not really important. The actress is entertaining enough to make you watch the entire film. Potheads give it a shot while you smoke a bit, it's a great fun but I don't see non-smokers really enjoying the experience. I, of course, watched the movie high and another time sober, and I can confirm a good buzz helps get you into the movie, into the character. It's worth a solid 7 out of 10!

Ever since Cheech and Chong invented the stoner comedy, the genre has pushed boundaries in mind numbing uselessness, and Smiley Face may represent a new low (or high) for the format. It's certainly bold for it's blatant refusal to inject any substance to it's narrative, it simply follows a single character bumbling around with a glazed look on her face and any plot development is totally random and ridiculous.

Since it's essentially one long stoned monologue, it rests completely on the shoulders of Anna Farris to carry the film, and may possibly be a crowning achievement in the actress' career. She remains endearingly likeable throughout her dopey ramblings, and occasionally lands a good punch line. She's masterful at awkward comedy, and there's a low key brilliance to some of the more absurd musings, like when she contemplates framing a picture of president Garfield as a tribute to her love of lasagne. Things fall flat when she plays things more over the top, like the uncomfortable 3 minutes when she yells about communism at a meat packing plant.

As is often the case, the film is hit and miss with it's depiction of the effects of marijuana. There are a couple moments that accurately showcase the derailed train of thought of the baked mind, but just as many that try to pass off an unbelievable level of childish idiocy as normal pothead behaviour.

Show up under the influence and expect very little, and this inane little flick may just put a smile on your face.

It's almost nihilistic in presentation. Stories about burnouts are funnier when you know they have the potential to be something more, but they keep sabotaging themselves because they needs the weeds.

Anna Farris delivers a sympathetic and pathetic character at the same time, her comic timing is incredible as always. Also John Krasinski is a highlight (and admittedly unrecognizable)

The comedic dialogue really snaps with observations and the phrasing alone always makes me crack up just thinking about it.

C'mon dude, dont wanna be late for that dentist appointment!!