What's My Number?

Thus far, in my very limited life, I have never seen a single film nor a single tv program in which Ana Faris appeared. That's right. I never have seen any episodes of "Mom". I never saw "The House Bunny". I never saw any of the "Scary Movies". Nothing. I've heard of her. I've seen her on tv events. Never followed her. Never noticed her. Just knew a little. That's it.

So...imagine my surprise when I accidentally stumbled onto a move lost in the sands of time entitled "What's My Number" (2011). I'd never normally watch a movie like this. Never. It's just not my thing. I am limited. Very limited. I admit I am friggin' limited! I like documentaries, or Spielberg or Scorsese or Coppola or Hitchcock or Kubrick or Welles or Billy Wilder or James Cameron or Christopher Nolan or David Fincher or Alfonso Cuaron or Howard Hawks etc.. You get the gist. I like that kind of AFI stuff. Just do. I'm not elite. I grew up very poor. Very very poor. Single mother, lived in a slum--you get the idea. It's hard to be elite when you're very very poor. But...I like that AFI stuff. Despite this....I needed to zone out. So......I decided to try seeing something I would never see. That film is "What's My Number". I stumbled onto it on cable. In a sense, I was an accidental tourist for this kind of film. Had to be.

So.....what happened? I'll tell you what happened. I found out that the star of "House Bunny" is a great actress. I'll say it again. Ana Faris is a great actress. Sure she's good looking. So is Meryl Streep. So what. Who cares. I don't care. Not one bit. Doesn't matter, ok? Here's what I do care about. She carried the movie. She carried "What's My Number". That's not easy. There are some great actors in that movie. Chris Evans is in that movie. Yeah, that guy. Blythe Danner is in that movie. Great actress. Anthony Mackie is in that movie. Great actor. Chris Pratt, her ex, is in that movie. Great actor (seriously, he is). Ari Graynor is in that movie. Great actress. And yet, folks, Ana Faris outshines them all. It's not even close. She is the movie. Her heart, her losses, her loneliness, her fears, her joys and her emotional roller coaster all shine based on an excellent performance from Ana Faris. Again, let's admit this, folks. Just say it. The star of "House Bunny" can act. She's great.

How did I realize this? Ana Faris made me not pay attention to Ana Faris. She made me pay attention to the character she played. I forgot it was Ana Faris. I really did. The role, "Ally Darling" is all I noticed. I noticed this character's successes and failures. I noticed this character's emptiness. I noticed this character's celebrations and dancing. I noticed her fears. I noticed her clumsiness. I noticed her humility. I even noticed her issues with her mother. And so it goes. I got lost in the character and never noticed the actress portraying the character. That's great acting. That's a great actress. This is a true discovery everyone. Ana Faris is a great actress. Superb.

What's the point of all this? I'll you what the point is. Ana Faris is not just the daughter on "Mom". She's not just the bunny in "House Bunny". She's a great actress. I now know this. She needs to be challenged. She needs great parts to show us her range. She can handle great challenging roles. I swear she can. Start casting her. Start showing some creativity. Improvise. Think. Use your brains. Ana can act, ok? Let's see what else she can do. Let's explore her acting range (which I believe to be substantial). Cast her. Give her great parts. We deserve to see more of this acting range. We want to see more of this acting range. She may look like a house bunny but she can act like Bette Davis. Cast her, you fools. I am confident she won't disappoint you.