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Jan Wahl Movie Review: 'Little White Lies' & 'For A Good Time Call...'

Marion Cotillard
Marion Cotillard (credit: MPI Media Group)

 
(KCBS) – KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl reviews Little White Lies, starring François Cluzet, Marion Cotillard and Benoît Magimel. Plus the comedy For A Good Time Call... starring Ari Graynor, Lauren Anne Miller and Justin Long.

KCBS Entertainment Reporter Jan Wahl:

 
LITTLE WHITE LIES (NOT RATED)

The director of this French film, Guillaume Canet, says he was influenced by Lawrence Kasdan's The Big Chill. And, indeed, it has much in common with that American film.

Little While Lies is an ensemble film - the story of a group of friends brought together after one, played by Jean Dujardin from last year's The Artist, ends up clinging to life in a hospital.

While he is recovering, the remainder of the group, eight pals, stays at a vacation home. There begins the little white lies as unwanted affection. womanizing and heartbreak occur.

Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose, Midnight in Paris) plays the free spirit of the group, and the film comes to life whenever she is in the scene. American pop music is used, from Janis Joplin to Credence Clearwater. The problem with the film is that at 2 and half hours it is too long. But, good characters and fine acting. In French with English subtitles.

2 hats.

Little White Lies: Official Trailer by LionsgateFilmsUK on YouTube

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Ari Graynor, Justin Long & Lauren Anne Miller
(L-R) Ari Graynor, Justin Long & Lauren Anne Miller (credit: Focus Features)

 
FOR A GOOD TIME CALL... (R)

Ever notice that, sometimes, a comedy comes along that is vulgar and even disgusting, but afterward you notice you kind of had a good time? This is far from the gentle comedy of Bernie or Hope Springs, clever satire like The Campaign or even a silly chase like Hit and Run. This movie is wild and outrageous.

Two young women end up sharing an apartment - they were brought together by their mutual gay friend, played by Justin Long. These women are opposites: Lauren Ann Miller, who also co-wrote the screenplay, is reserved. Ari Graynor is the scene-stealer, totally uninhibited and making the film swing.

The gals launch a phone sex business, and as you can imagine, the language in the film is almost non-stop sexually graphic. If you have problems with total vulgarity, this is not the movie for you. The good news is that it is not too long, and Ari Graynor helps us connect and sometimes laugh.

2 hats.

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See Right Now: The Odd Life of Timothy Green, The Bourne Legacy, The Campaign, Hit and Run, Robot and Frank, Hope Springs, Moonlight Kingdom, Sparkle, Beasts of the Southern Wild

Home Viewing/DVD: Darling Companion, Bernie, The Hunger Games

You can hear KCBS Entertainment Editor Jan Wahl's movie reviews on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM Fridays at 8:53am & 4:53pm.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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