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82 out of 136 people found the following review useful: The best film at Sundance, 18 March 2007 Author: mrsouth from United States
I'm not a pothead, and I don't watch pothead movies. So a story about a girl who gets stoned, and then gets even more stoned wouldn't normally grab me. But film festivals put you in a situation where you watch movies that wouldn't normally interest you. Usually, that's a disaster, but in the case of "Smiley Face," I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised."Smiley Face" gives us one of the most lovable protagonists I've ever seen in a movie. Jane (Ana Faris) is high the entire movie, even in flashbacks, and thus is happy and childlike just about every time we see her (except when she's paranoid). Most movie characters would breeze through the minor conflicts Jane has to face, but her pot-induced mental disability turns cooking butter into a nearly impossible task. And that's part of what makes her so endearing.
50 out of 75 people found the following review useful: I don't get it either, 30 December 2007 Author: ursula_kammert from Earth
I don't get it either, how many people here didn't like the movie.I guess it just confirms my theory, that the worse a movie is rated, the better I find it.THe acting was great. I laughed almost the entire movie. Maybe the people that didn't understand it, should eat some cannabis and then see what happens.To say it is boring is complete nonsense. Just because there are no explosions, 3000000 dead people or stupid jokes like in Half Baked (which by the way is really boring) doesn't mean a film is bad. The timing and synchronization (?) of the pictures and musical/sound effects, the cuts and the atmosphere are very well presented in my opinion. And there's a lot of effort with different camera shots. (A great scene is when Jane comese out of the bath when brevins adoration is explained and Jane/Anna seems to move with the music beat.)Just to give a little to think: the dealer with his "perfect" look talking about Reagonomics, the audition, the people on the bus (somehow the small boy reminds me of certain people, if you know what I mean), the guy at the laundry shop,the communist manifest and what happens when she throws it away... Think about it a bit, maybe (probably not, as all hope is lost) you will see the light.
50 out of 76 people found the following review useful: Pot helps!, 8 October 2007 Author: rumen-manev from Bulgaria
Extremely delighted by the film! Stoner movies have always been categorized in a different way as regular movies. It's not something serious that you would watch to learn a valuable lesson or to experience an unearthly ascension. The movie is just pure fun. The plot is rather easy to understand. The lack of complexity makes it a pleasant experience for everyone who would appreciate the humor in drug use. Anna Faris describes the condition of a high person more accurate than expected. I liked the sound effects that can be heard now and then according to the situation or what the protagonist is thinking.Don't miss it only because it's an independent movie.
40 out of 59 people found the following review useful: Really Funny! Made me laugh throughout!, 10 January 2008 Author: whynotemailme from Canada
I can't believe there are so many negative reviews for this film. I guess it's either you love it, or hate it.Personally this was a comic portrayal of pot use and it's not supposed to be taken as seriously as some of the reviewers have made it seem. Jane (Anna Faris) did a great job being blissfully stoned throughout the movie. She made good use of all the stoner stereotypes and I loved the expressions that she used throughout the movie.There were quite a few comic moments throughout the film that I'm sure a stoner could relate to. There was no storyline, but it also doesn't need one! I mean seriously, stoner's don't have an elaborate storyline in real life, why would they have one in a movie about stoners!? It was just good brainless entertainment!
15 out of 19 people found the following review useful: An air of innovation verses your typical run-of-the-mill stoner movie., 31 March 2008 Author: shadowstarz89
I've read a lot of angry comments about this movie, claiming it's "bashing" on "stoners" and anti-pot propaganda. This is not the case. If you're familiar with Araki's directing and themes in creating movies, it would be easy to recognize this as a satire. Obviously things of this extreme nature don't happen to people who smoke pot, but I like my comedies to have an entertaining plot. This movie would be horrible if all the protagonist did was lay around high in her home.Unlike most "stoner movies," this one stands out as being one of the most original ones I can recall. There are elements of great artistic direction--which is often neglected in many pot related movies, and their are numerous political metaphors. I mean seriously, how often is "Marxism" and the Communist Manifesto brought into comedies? Many people will say this is "stupid," which seems like an oxymoron regarding a movie about weed. Indeed, there's incredible silliness and ridiculous over-the-top decisions, but that's the point of this movie(and not to mention Farris' character to begin with). Araki introduces subtle, witty imagery while simultaneously producing an enjoyable slapstick comedy.
16 out of 22 people found the following review useful: A good movie if you actually SMOKE., 7 May 2008 Author: elizabethesto from United States
I completely disagree with many of these bad reviews. My personal opinion: if you smoke, definitely see this movie. But not while you're stoned--it will make you paranoid about everything! If you have never smoked pot, or are against it, don't even bother. Honestly, the whole movie is kind of like an inside joke. If you don't get high or haven't gotten high, you won't think it's entertaining, and you probably won't get it. But this is precisely what I love about this movie: it probably portrays being high more accurately than any other stoner movie I have ever seen. I didn't like the ending and it did confuse me a bit as to what message it was trying to get across, but as for the rest of the movie, I thought it was genius. The thought process was incredibly accurate, the physical effects, everything. Being a smoker myself, the whole movie was incredibly stressful, and I understood exactly what the main character felt. So all in all, my recommendation is this: if you smoke, go see it. If you don't, you're not going to like it.
22 out of 35 people found the following review useful: Anna Faris is FUNNY!--Movie is so-so., 17 January 2008 Author: scoochie9 from United States
Anna Faris is, in my opinion, the funniest young comedic actress out there today. In "Smiley Face", she is extremely entertaining (and completely unconcerned about vanity) as Jane, the much-too-stoned pothead. I just love her (and I'm not even gay)!The story has me scratching my head a little bit. I can't decide if it's just some mindless, silly stoner movie (which works for me!), or, as another reviewer put it, some sort of 70's anti-marijuana training film. Maybe it's a little of both...? I dunno.Story aside, I think the acting and direction are superb, very colorful, and quite hilarious! It's worth a viewing, if only for the reason that you're in the mood for something completely different. You'll definitely have something to ponder...and many scenes to remember fondly and laugh about!
16 out of 26 people found the following review useful: I loved it!, 21 January 2008 Author: gudnikristinn
WOW, do i love a good stoner movie! Maybe it has something to do with me loving to get high myself and being able to relate to how the main character deals with situations. There seems to be a lot of people here who have to over analyze even the simplest movies. I'm not a typical stoner. I'm actually finishing up a university education and am very successful at keeping my love for pot and my professional life separate and i know that the main character is the worst kind of cannabis user and some people here talk like this movie is an anti drug movie because of how irresponsible she is and how she ends up and bla bla bla, but it's a comedy and there's nothing wrong with being a bit over the top and i find it perfectly cool that they actually show that there can be consequences to being an idiot. You have to be a real dummass if you think that smoking pot will make you do or become like the main character in this movie. Anyway, me and my friends are a bit disappointed with the marks this movie got here because we just spent the whole movie laughing ourselves to tears and i think Anna Faris was perfect for this role.
9 out of 14 people found the following review useful: Worth a watch, if you're into these kinds of films!, 7 January 2008 Author: Angultra1
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
I saw this movie on a whim because it had some actors I knew, and looked like something similar to Napoleon Dynamite or other quirky films. One critic on the DVD box says "it's like Harold and Kumar but with a chick". Personally, I found it only slightly similar, if even that. Possibly because I wasn't craving a white castle burger the entire time (FYI, the nearest one is over 5 hours away from my home).For starters, this is a very unique film. I can't really compare it to anything. It does center around drugs. But instead of people just hanging out and smoking pot the whole time (if I remember "dazed and confused", among others), this is about one pothead (Faris) who accidentally eats a batch of "special" cupcakes and who leaves home on a wacky adventure, trying to make things right. It kind of puts a silly spin on things, showing how she has a game plan (but keeps having to change it because of her dumb drug-influenced moves), loves her bed way too much (you'll see what I mean), and basically acts like a pothead might act in certain situations. It's interesting, as most of the time the filming style is bright and clear, rather than dark or "tripped out" like so many other drug movies. The happy setting just highlights how dumb she's acting because of the drugs.I found she does a convincing job of portraying the habitual stoner, so if you want to see her looking pretty (and not totally and incomprehensibly stoned) you should look elsewhere; I thought she looked good in Scary Movie 3 and My Super Ex Girlfriend, so check those out. But back to the acting, the cast worked well together in this one, with Adam Brody (from the OC) as the dreadlock-toting drug dealer and John Krasinski (from The Office) as the infatuated friend, who tries to help her get the cash she needs. Danny Masterson was also funny as the creepy roommate.It was a fun watch, but overall the story is really shallow, it's purely focused on Faris and her misadventures that day. That's not necessarily a bad thing, given the way the film is written. I would have liked to see more of Brody and Krasinski, but it was definitely a unique adventure with some definite funny moments, that may take a while to get into. You'll soon find yourself hitting yourself in the head at every bonehead move that Faris makes, and wondering if she'll ever sober up. I also didn't like the ending too much, but then again you could argue it goes against the normal "movie ending". Still, I think they could have done a lot more. That's all I'll say for now, enjoy the show.
9 out of 15 people found the following review useful: Complete Poser Movie, 15 June 2008 Author: blueyedwhtdevil from United States
This is quite possibly the worst drug movie that i have had the displeasure to watch. This is the kind of dumb crap that sets the legalization movement back decades. Completely unrealistic! There is no substance to this at all. This not even close to anything that could be construed as a movie about pot. not even trippin' would be this fricken stupid. I would rather watch Miley Cyrus on the Disney channel. Posers and only posers would find this movie funny or entertaining. I cant believe that John Kranski was in this turd of a movie. What a waste of my time. If you disagree with my comments, i would appreciate it if you would respond to me and let me know your thoughts.
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