Inspired by her experiences as an editor at the Playboy Channel, Julie Davis’ “Finding Bliss” is a mildly funny, stereotype-stuffed comedy about a straight-laced aspiring filmmaker who is forced to go to work for a producer of adult films.
“We don’t use the ‘P’ word,” says her boss (Kristen Johnson) at Grind Productions, who has hired virginal NYU grad Jody (Leelee Sobieski) to reluctantly provide a woman’s perspective for “Finding Bliss.” The film is also the latest opus from a ridiculously prolific, wildly misogynistic director played by Jeff Davis.
Jody, who quickly graduates to also co-writing, is told that Grind hopes to get this film onto the arthouse circuit — something that hasn’t happened to porn, er, an adult film, in 40 years. “Finding Bliss” also clings to the charming notion that these films are still shot on film instead of video, something that hasn’t been true for almost as long.
Our heroine is meanwhile shooting her own, unbearably sincere nonporn script (“On the Virge”) on the sly at night with some of the same cast, including a leading man named Dick Harder (the painfully unfunny Jamie Kennedy), as well as a not-so-mysterious lead actress portrayed by Denise Richards.
Did I mention that “Finding Bliss” is really a romantic comedy? And that Jody discovers the director is secretly a romantic with a broken heart?
You can guess the rest.
This is the fourth film in 13 years from Davis — her best was the gay-themed “All Over the Guy,” the only one she didn’t write herself — who has a cameo as an adult film star. Porn legend Ron Jeremy and “Pretty Woman” director Garry Marshall briefly turn up as themselves.
A longish 96 minutes with lots of filthy dialogue, “Finding Bliss” tests your patience with our heroine’s naivete, but delivers a money shot in the end.