Finding Bliss (2009)

A romantic comedy that explores the adult film industry through the eyes of an idealistic 25 year-old award winning film school grad.

Director:

Julie Davis

Writer:

Julie Davis

Stars:

Leelee Sobieski, Matthew Davis, Denise Richards

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Leelee Sobieski	...	Jody Balaban
Matthew Davis	...	Jeff Drake (as Matt Davis)
Denise Richards	...	Bliss / Laura
Donnamarie Recco	...	Kathleen
Jamie Kennedy	...	Dick Harder
Kristen Johnston	...	Irene Fox
Mircea Monroe	...	Sindi
P.J. Byrne	...	Gary
Caroline Aaron	...	Debra Balaban
Tim Bagley	...	Alan Balaban
Christa Campbell	...	Kato
Mr. Marcus	...	Jake B. Bigg (as Marcus J. Spencer)
Sammi Hanratty	...	Little Jody
Stormy Daniels	...	Herself
Garry Marshall	...	Himself

Storyline

Jody has arrived in Hollywood, fresh out of a New York film school with student awards in hand, and ready to get her film made. Problem is Jody can't get a job and can't get anybody to read her script. The only job Jody can get is as an editor at a porn production company. Still determined to get her film made, Jody attempts to use the studio's facilities, but the repercussions if she gets caught, might be more than she can handle.

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Plot Keywords:

adult film industry | hot tub | porn filmmaking | crucifix pendant | flash forward | 

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Taglines:

A Comedy About Real Love and Unreal Sex

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content including graphic dialogue and nudity, and for language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 January 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Az öröm nyomában

Filming Locations:

Spokane, Washington, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$2,115 (USA) (4 June 2010)

Gross:

$6,783 (USA) (11 June 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinamour Entertainment, Dave O Films, Jeff Rice Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally developed as an original series at Showtime in 2004.

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Quotes

Little Jody: [at the dinner table] Daddy... what's a blowjob?
Jody Balaban: [cut to Little Jody over her father's lap, screaming as he gives her a spanking]
[v.o]
Jody Balaban: I couldn't say "blowjob" for *ten years* after that - let alone *give* one.

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Connections

Featured in Denise Richards: It's Complicated: Denise Does Slamdance (2009)

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Soundtracks

"Tell Me Now"
Written by Neal Walter
Performed by Neal Walter

User Reviews

Entertaining and Funny; At times, Shocking and Touching

I saw this at Slamdance and I really enjoyed it.

It's about a struggling filmmaker (Leelee S) who takes a job editing porn, but it's really more about her character's journey into her own issues (of the past and present) ... and the fact that this self-discovery takes place amidst the porn industry, well, that adds a good dose of humor and a bit of sex.

There's some laugh out loud moments, usually in the form of shock/crude humor or irony. There's also some drama and romance mixed in there, so it's honestly hard to classify it to one genre of film.

It's a lower-budget indie, but it has a great cinematic look with great performances by all the actors. Jamie Kennedy adds some air-headed humor, and Kristen Johnston adds some cutting humor (loved her). The actor opposite Leelee (Matthew Davis) initial appears as a jaded, cynical character, but of course, there is more beneath the surface and it's rewarding to see his character slowly unveil.

Fun movie, overall. Why an 8 and not a 10? I guess my only criticism is that I got a touch bored somewhere around the middle of the film. Perhaps the shock of the shock humor had lost it's shocking value by that point but we weren't yet to the meaty drama. I don't know. To me, it kind of lagged briefly before getting back on track.

But that's a small thing. Most of the time, I "found bliss" when watching FINDING BLISS.