Nola

I found the IMDB score of 5.4 way off the mark and distinctly ungenerous. I wonder if it that reflects the film was made in 2003 and went straight to TV?

The actors are not just good (some real stars) but on form. The dialog was never going to win an oscar but is interesting and engaging; it even has some moments of quite pithy intelligence. The plot is nicely paced and well developed, if predictable. I liked the cinderellla formula, a bit idealistic but gritty enough not to seem too easy. The characters are nicely drawn, detailed, varied and each finds their own voice. The production values are good, and beat hallmark standards out of sight.

RECOMMENDED.

Don't get me wrong, I liked Coyote Ugly, but this one was much better! The story was better, even the actors were better. Also, Emmy Rossum sang her own songs! She even has 2 tracks on the soundtrack. Plus, the screening that I went to was the Arizona premiere, so writer/director Alan Hruska and story consultant/assistant producer Patina Cole were there to do a Q&A after the screening. That was great because it gave more insight into the story and how the movie was made. In conclusion, this is definitely a movie that I would want to see again and again!!

You get Anol. Which pretty much says it all. (Thanks to TA for pointing this out to me).

Yes, this movie is stupid. But not in the Troll2 funny kind of stupid. It is an hour and a half of pure boredom punctuated by brief episodes of incredulity. Let's get this straight guys. Lawyers in coffee shops do not save the day.

They drink coffee and get stoned when they go home.

Girls who work for escort services, are expected to service their clients. They don't get lucky shots with some crap in a sock.

The average "madam" is not some sweet lady that cares about her workers. She's a user, just like the Johns.

Almost forgot, the dialogue is just horrible.

Some of the worst dialogue clunkers in the history of cinema. Utterly unrealistic situations and characters. One must suppose that writer/director Hruska thought he was making a charming movie with aspirations to pay homage to Hollywood comedies of the 40s. Problem is, this movie does not have one funny line in its bloated length. Also, the subject matter does not easily lend itself to breezy comedy, and most certainly does not the way it's treated here. Performances are lackluster with special mention going to James Badge Dale as Ben. Mr. Dale has the charisma of a warm turd and, strangely enough, the acting ability of one.

I wanted so badly to like this because I love Emmy Rossum, but seeing her prancing around on a bed in her bra and underwear, swinging a sock with a lock in it at a man in his tightly-whities.... it just sort of ruined it for me. The song she sings is beautiful and she looks lovely as ever, but it was just too implausible a storyline and the script was fairly weak, but Ms. Rossum was a delight, even in the midst of such faults from the script and story.

I also am a fan of Mary McDonnell's work from Dances With Wolves, but her smugness her seemed rather 1 dimensional; albeit not a great role to begin with.

I watch movies on Lifetime with some regularity, and this was above-average I'd say, but I can't say I'd watch it again. It's too bad - with this cast it could've been much better.