She's Funny That Way (2015)

She’s Funny That Way is a fizzy, old-school screwball cocktail—doors opening at the wrong time, secrets wobbling on stilettos, and a Broadway backstage world where everyone’s one encounter away from disaster. Peter Bogdanovich directs with an affectionate, feather-light touch, letting the farce build like a perfectly timed symphony of misunderstandings, while the ensemble keeps it buoyant: Owen Wilson’s charm, Imogen Poots’ bright-eyed spark, and Kathryn Hahn’s razor-sharp energy play off each other with delicious momentum. The vibe is smart, naughty, and fundamentally good-natured, the kind of comedy that wants you to have fun rather than feel cynical. It’s not for viewers who dislike talky, coincidence-driven rom-com farce, but if you miss the snap and swirl of classic comedy updated with R-rated candor, this one’s an easy yes.

She’s Funny That Way is clearly trying to revive old-school screwball farce: fast entrances, messy romantic overlap, and showbiz satire built around a call girl-turned-actress with big dreams. The problem is the machinery shows—plot beats feel contrived and staged, so instead of breezy chaos you may feel the film straining for laughs that don’t reliably land. If you love talky, theatrical comedies with a “everyone collides at dinner” vibe and can forgive a muddled tone, there are flashes of charm and a game cast (Imogen Poots in particular brings energy). But if you’re expecting a sharp modern rom-com or consistent laugh-out-loud momentum, this one can feel more frustrating than funny.