The House Bunny Review

What is it with Anna Faris? Undoubtedly a comic actress of great talent, she is yet to find the perfect showcase for her abilities. Indeed, since cutting her comic teeth in the "Scary Movie" franchise, Faris has seemingly been treading water for several years, occasionally gracing the screen in an amusing support role but never quite making the jump to superstar. "The House Bunny" should be the perfect vehicle to launch her bid for the A-list, the first time executive producer finding a role that fits as snugly as her outfits.

The film begins as Faris' Playboy bunny and aspiring centre-fold Shelley is unceremoniously thrown out of the mansion for reaching the ripe old age of twenty-seven (fifty-nine in bunny years). Naïve, eternally optimistic and armed with the notion that being 'vapid' is a good thing, Shelley struggles to adapt to life in the cynical outside world. However, after literally stumbling upon the nerdy girls of Zeta Alpha Zeta and taking them under her wing, Shelley begins to learn that there is more to life than 'being naked in a magazine'. Needless to say, makeovers, life lessons and the obligatory Hefner cameo ensue.

"The House Bunny" is not a great film but it is a funny one. Some may balk at the depiction of the Playboy mansion as a playground of innocence whilst others will bemoan the one joke supporting characters. However, what is undeniable is that Faris' comic star shines bright throughout. She not only possesses superb timing, but also displays a complete lack of vanity that is so often missing from the work of her contemporaries.

Ultimately, although the script is sprinkled with several gems, the film skews too young to be a breakout hit. For Anna Faris though, it should be the next step towards toppling the likes of Cameron Diaz from the comic A-list.