While Denise Calls Up is an ensemble movie Liev Schreiber is the linchpin who we see throughout the film, as a matter of fact one of the main subplots of Denise Calls Up is all about his character getting a date with this timid nerdy chick, who is Librarian Porn Star nerdy, in that authentic Indy sorta way.  

There are a number of other subplots which weave throughout the movie and this movie is likely to owe some texture and influence to Robert Altmans Short Cuts, -a movie I have always thought a bit overrated.  Denise Calls Up is quite interesting in how it pulls off the texture of the early nineties independent films it does not however succumb to that awkward feeling, that makes you wonder if it was initially a play made into a movie. 

Instead Denise moves briskly and the story is carried by well paced dialogue and editing.  The most interesting thing about Denise is that considering it was made in 1995 it has aged well. One of the funniest things is probably watching the characters work on computers which are now boat anchors and cell phones that left a bulge in their pockets.  At eighty minutes it is too short and the only sad thing I can say after seeing this movie is that I wish it's director had done more work, but it seems as if Mr Salwen's career has stalled a bit since making this movie.