Judging by the trailer, In a World is a pretty funny comedy. But as with a lot of trailers, this is managed by cramming it with all the movie's funniest lines. So while the trailer has five or six really solid laughs, the same can be said for the movie, which for the most part is generally humorous but not terribly funny.

The film does have several things going for it. The idea of taking a peek at a niche part of the film business is a fun idea. Dmitri Martin's inability to ask the girl he likes out is clumsily charming. Lake Bell is quite likable.

There are also a few issues I would take with the structure, which feels a bit too lose, with subplots that don't seem to really support the story and aren't especially interesting on their own. And at the end, the movie seems to search around desperately for a moral and come up with the idea of female empowerment, which, even though that is one of the movie's threads,feels like it just went from a minor theme to *the* MAJOR THEME without proper preparation.

None of that is really a big deal; this is the work of a young, talented filmmaker who hasn't totally learned her craft, but it's still original and pleasant. It's just not funny enough or compelling enough to be more than something cute and forgettable.

I could easily see someone trying to watch "In a World" and giving up on it after a while. After all, there are a few slow moments and it's easy to hate several of the characters. However, DON'T!!! Stick with this one, as it gets better and better the longer you watch it. Plus, it's a wonderful chance to see a lesser-known actress prove she can do it all, as Lake Bell not only stars in this likable film but wrote it and directed as well!!! This speaks a lot for her future in movies.

Carol (Bell) is the daughter of one of the most famous voice-over actors there is. His voice has introduced many, many films and she hopes to follow in his steps. However, one serious problem stands in her way--traditionally these jobs go to men. Sure, she might be able to do some cartoon voices or give personal speech coaching but the sort of work her dad does just seems nearly impossible-- especially when her god-awful and highly competitive father decides to try to take the job for himself. He certainly didn't need the work and this strange part of his personality and the family dynamics make this film special. I particularly liked the father's very young wife. She ISN'T typical of such a person at all and turns out to be a highly complex and terrific person in her own right. Overall, a very special film and I can't wait to see more from Bell--this woman sure has something good in her future.

With the death of voice-over legend Don LaFontaine, there is a search for the new voice of the iconic words "In a world..." Sam Sotto (Fred Melamed) has been the runner up for a long time. He kicks his daughter Carol Salomon (Lake Bell) out of his house as his hot young girlfriend Jamie (Alexandra Holden) moves in. She crashes in with her sister Dani (Michaela Watkins) and her husband Moe (Rob Corddry). The ego maniac Gustav Warner (Ken Marino) is the hot voice. Sound engineer Louis (Demetri Martin) is pining for Carol. She is struggling with voice coaching when she starts getting trailer work taking away from Gustav.

This has some hilarious stuff coming from Lake Bell. It's a little insulated world of voice-over performers. I love Michaela Watkins the best especially her chemistry with Rob Corddry. Their marriage could be its own movie. Demetri Martin is adorable geeky but his chemistry with Carol is a little awkward. It should be a bit more romantic. The only problem is that the trailer idea is funny in theory but the actual trailer doesn't live up to the promise. It's probably better not to show the actual trailer. Overall, it's just a fun indie about an interesting little world with some weird fun characters.