Movie Review: The House Bunny

Here is a movie that when you just see a trailer or commercial you cannot imagine is going to be any good. You're right, there really is no way to make it look good. The movie is as cliched and corny as you think it is. Sometimes you have to wonder how stuff like this ever gets the go ahead to be made. I am sure you go to movies sometimes and when it is over you walk out shaking your head wondering if anyone actually read the script, much less actually watched what they made. If they had, you have to wonder just how or why they thought it was good. On the flip side of that coin, you can take an alternate point of view. Every so often what we need is some light and goofy fun, and this actually delivers on that level. Sure, it is not perfect, and yes, it could have been better, but there is no denying that it offers a modestly enjoyable time.

Much like Death Race (also opening this weekend), The House Bunny is not about being a "good" movie, and it does not try to pass it off as such. The material is familiar and the past couple of years have seen a few films tell virtually the same story, most recently Sydney White (the Snow White retread with Amanda Bynes). You are not going to discover anything new here, the movie does not push boundaries and it is not edgy or deep and meaningful. What it is, believe it or not, is funny. The main reason that it is funny is Anna Faris.

The story is a simple one, Shelley is a young woman who has spent a good part of her life as a Playboy Bunny living in the Playboy Mansion. She is one of the most popular girls there, but she has yet to realize her dream of being a centerfold. Problems begin when she turns twenty-seven and receives a letter from Hugh Hefner (playing himself) asking her to leave. So off she goes, homeless and unsure of where to turn. Fortunately, she stumbles upon Greek row, where she falls into the position of house mother for a group of rejects that are about to lose their charter unless they can get a large influx of pledges. Oh, fortuitous time! Shelley is an expert at getting people's attention.

She works with the housemates, including nerdy Natalie (Emma Stone, also in The Rocker this weekend), brace wearing Joanne (Rumer Willis, yes, the daughter of Bruce and Demi), and the pregnant Harmony (American Idol contestant Katherine McPhee). Over the course of the movie both sides learn from each other. The geeks and losers learn how to be pretty and actually like themselves, while Shelley learns what it takes to be smart.

You know, I needn't say anything more about the plot, I am sure you can already predict what is going to happen. If you can't, you clearly have not seen enough movies. The bottom line is how well they execute.

Execution of The House Bunny is a mixed bag. The reason the movie works is Anna Faris, pure and simple. The girl is hilarious, no one can play ditzy and make it smart like she can. I don't know how she does it or why it works so well, but she has it mastered. She does it with heart. When I watched her in this movie, I was drawn in to her character. Yes, she is an attractive woman, but you can tell the actress has her head on straight and has the ability to dive into a goofy role such as this with complete confidence and truly sell the silliness. Among the supporting cast, Emma Stone is the major stand out. She plays the nerd role well and has good comic timing. Also, Colin Hanks (Tom's son) does a fine job in a small role as Shelley's love interest.

At the other end of the spectrum some of the people in the house are simply awful. I understand the need to exaggerate the characters, but what was with the farm girl with the deep voice? Seriously, that was just a terrible character. Then we have Rumer Willis. All right, she isn't terrible, but she isn't all that good either. Finally, well not really but as far as I am going down this path, Catherine McPhee, why was she pregnant? Okay, I'll let that one by, but she belongs here just for that awful movie ending song of hers.

Bottomline. For as bad, cliched, and predictable as this was, it still was an enjoyable movie. I am not going to fully recommend it, unless you truly know what you're getting into. There is a way to enjoy this and it involves, primarily, not expecting anything good. Well, that and liking Anna Faris.

Mildly Recommended.