No. 72 She’s Funny That Way (2014) 60 of 100

 

Here’s a blink and you’ll miss it Shannon appearance with him listed as a cameo on the film’s Wikipedia page.

The film is laden with familiar faces and it looks like the whole of the New York acting scene showed up to support director Peter Bogdanovich in what turned out to be his last feature. I hadn’t read up on the film before I watched it and it looked all the world like a Woody Allen effort. I guess they tread similar paths but the famous faces and unnecessary cameos smacked of a lazy effort at a last pay day. That may be a bit cynical but you do get the sense that the cast are having more fun than the viewer.

The film is told in flashback with a seemingly successful actress Isabella, played ably by Imogen Poots, being interviewed about her career by Illeana Douglas. As she tells her story the film goes into flashback mode with the interview returned to periodically when a bit of exposition is required.

Isabella is a wannabe New York actress who is living at home with her parents Richard Lewis and Cybill Shepherd. To make ends meet she does some escort work on the side and one night she hooks up with Owen Wilson’s theatre director Arnold. The two get on famously and Arnold offers the happy hooker $30k if she gives up on the game and follows her dreams. She takes up the offer much to the disappointment of her other clients, several of whom are obsessed by her.

Meanwhile Arnold's play is going through rehearsals and he’s having trouble with his writer Will Forte who is having issues with his psychiatrist wife Jennifer Aniston. Owen’s own wife Kathryn Hahn is reconnecting with her old flame Rhys Ifans who is due to star in the play which has a promising actress up for an audition – gosh, isn’t it just Isabella?

As you can probably gather the film is a farce with all the usual misunderstandings and hiding in the toilet present and correct. We know that Isabella turns out OK due to the framing device, but who ends up with whom and do you really care?

I wasn’t that keen on this film. It started out OK but once the coincidences and contrivances built up it became a chore to see it through. There’s 8 million people in New York but they all seemingly go to the same shops and restaurants at the same time. It was fun to see a lot of familiar faces but towards the end it just became a procession, with Quentin Tarantino showing up at the end for no discernible reason.

Shannon appears as a policeman for a few seconds as he grabs Hahn who is wearing a coat with the security tags still on. The matter is quickly resolved and nothing of consequence happens. Shannon lives in New York so I’m guessing he showed up on set and got a walk on role whilst hanging about with his acting pals.

It was all very gentle and lightweight with too few laughs to keep me interested. Arnold’s motivation seemed a bit unlikely as did the whole male cast’s fascination with the hooker with a heart. You don’t know where she’s been! Oh wait, you do!

When is Shannon-On? - 56.34

Outcome? Wandered off set for a change of outfit.

Film 2.5/5

Shannon Stars 2/5