When movies aren't supposed to be funny, but they are

I was browsing Jezebel the other day and came across their blow-by-blow (no pun intended) of the newest Lifetime original movie featuring none of than the great Jennifer Love-Hewitt. Of course, I was intrigued. Texas beauty-queen turned sweet mother of three turned crackwhore in these tough economic times? I had never sat through a Lifetime movie before, but boy am I glad I did. This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. Seriously. I think it is supposed to be a moving emotional drama, but I haven't laughed this much at a movie that was supposed to be a comedy in years.

As a movie that purports to take sex work seriously, I was expecting a Fantine-esque descent into poverty. Nope. Prostitution was actually REALLY high on the List of Desperate Measures. For me, there are a lot of things above prostitution on that List. Welfare, unemployment, asking relatives for help, declaring bankruptcy. The Really Desperate Section includes: Selling eggs, stealing, dealing drugs, cyber crime, affiliate marketing. I would probably go to a homeless shelter before prostitution. And this is what makes real movies about prostitution so sad. How desperate you have to be to go there. Fantine sold her hair and her teeth before she went there.

But this isn't a real movie about prostitution. It's a story about a woman with very little tolerance for bumpy times in life who, in a desperate attempt to maintain her family's lifestyle, one, in the typical American fashion, that they cannot afford, starts turning tricks. Seriously, if I followed her logic, I'd be Patti the Daytime Hooker by now. Honestly.

Anyway, aside from how unnecessary her whoring is, the movie is full of amazing characters who apparently represent Texas in all it's cowboy hatted, big-haired glory, and one-liners to match. I can see why JLove wanted to do this movie after reading the script. Samples:

"I'm gonna call you Brandy because you look like you go down real smooth."
"I hope they have makeup in jail."
"Sometimes small things come in big packages." (She is talking about a client here, but what she means is no clearer when you've seen the film)

Also, after the whores are busted (SURPRISE!) they compile a list of high profile johns to use as collateral to shorten their jail sentences. Guess how many names are on the list. Just guess.
69.
And, because we can't figure out how funny that is, EVERY character has to comment on it. Thank, guys.

Also, Jennifer Love-Hewitt wears a TON of makeup in the film. A ton. She doesn't even look human. She wears fake eyelashes to bed. I could say more about this incredible movie, but you really have to experience it for yourself. You can watch it here.