Cougars Inc.

(2010) Cougars, Inc DRAMA

Co-produced, written and directed by K. Asher Levin, that has teenage misfit, Sam (Kyle Gallner) paying for his own tuition by setting up an on-line escort service for already married women or housewives, and at the same time he falls in love with a girl his age named Courtney (Sarah Hyland). Everything about this movie is strictly by the book, and that the embarrassing comedy routines had already been done before on previous films shown before, such as the "American Pie" movies and so forth. There's nothing new what I hadn't seen already. Some of the comedy scenes is cringe worthy.

'Cougars Inc.' is about a teenage boy who uses his friends as 'escorts' to older women, who then pay for their 'services.' On the whole, a neat idea which has potential. However, it's executed pretty strangely. First of all, if you see it billed as a 'comedy' then think again. I managed to sn*gger about three times in the ninety minute run-time. I would almost call it a romantic teen drama instead.

However, the main problem is the sheer believability of the situation. On the one hand, I'm sure there are more 'mature' women (or 'cougars' as they're called here) who may be bored with their marriages etc and, with their disposable income, are ready and willing to pay to date younger men. But, in the film, the problem lies with the fact that the 'mature' women are all incredibly attractive, almost to the point of having model looks. Are we seriously to believe that Denise Richards (yes, she may be in her early forties now, but, let's face it, she's still 'Hollywood' quality when it comes to looks) is having problems finding one-night-stands? And, if we're in some parallel universe where that is the case, she chooses to pay young nerdy teenagers for their company.

The central character's friends are portrayed as the 'geek squad.' They're not the fit, sporty, cool 'jocks' of their school, they're the ones who hide away in the computer rooms, playing Dungeons & Dragons. The whole film comes across as some teenage boy's fantasy about him and his mates being seduced by scores of beautiful women (and, they're ALWAYS beautiful - the boys never have to 'perform' for some tired-looking fifty-something with drooping body parts and stretch marks!).

Then, to add final insult, the film strays into the moral compasses of escorting and how it affects 'real' relationships and treats us to a particularly preachy final act. I wanted to like this. If they had kept it more like some sort of daft, zany 'American Pie-esque' type comedy, at least it would have had a few more chuckles. Sadly, it's a film that tries to take on too much and basically fails on all levels.

Predictable. Rough transitions were slightly less rough with inserted screens of "questions" that the next scene will answer. While it had it's funny moments, nothing was particularly memorable.

I decided to give this one a shot after seeing James Belushi and Denise Richards on the credits. That, and the fact that there was no review for this title on IMDb; it kinda felt like a "virgin" territory to explore.

And I don't regret it, because I ended up liking it. The acting was believable without any of the forced over-the-top or wooden performances that you see in crappy movies where you are constantly reminded that some people are trying to act and the results are painful to watch.

The lead character which plays Sam was natural, the role fit him like a glove and in the end it felt like he pulled it off with style; and the other characters delivered good performances too.

I wouldn't know where to classify this but it certainly isn't a comedy. The story is somewhat original (at least I haven't seen another movie about high-school kids doing escort services for older women) but it doesn't fall into cheap clichés, not a little bit and all the little side stories are neatly weaved into the main one.

It has a sweet-sad tone all through, however, it also has a sort of light feeling of hope to it and the music helps building and keeping that up.

All in all, I didn't end up regretting the time I spent on it (as I do with a lot of movies, lately) so what I can tell you is, give it a try and make up your own mind about it. This isn't your garden-variety blockbuster but I think you'll find it a quite good way to spend one and half hours on a stormy afternoon.

I have Watched this movie nearly without any expectations and i kinda liked it. all the characters are in place James Belushi was amazing at that cool dad role and Denise Richards is well what she is but i was amazed by the guy who played Sam in the movie he kinda reminded me David Duchovny in Californication. The movie has a bitter sweet taste and the music was really helping you about that. The Questions between the scenes are a nice touch i think.

Only thing that bothers me is that this isn't a comedy i mean it is a emotion filled and surely suitable for drama but i don't think that this movie is in the boundaries of a comedy.

But it is good acting, there is nothing over used even the the boys are acting stupid as they would in a real world.

At the and i really enjoyed my 85 minutes going trough and i hope you will give a chance too.