Given the title groaned when someone selected it on Amazon Prime but instead of making the tea watched it all, nicely disturbing scenes and lots of actors acting away...rather suggests us humans are really little more than grubby animals. The problem, there was no star and everyone was unlikeable and lots of nasty things happened
6 Reviews
In Search of a better movie
mark-397614 April 2009
Filled with Stilted acting, the actors seem to be lacking direction and just sleepwalk through the film. The doctor in particular seems to have only two modes: happy and grimacing. More nuance performances would have helped. The script goes in too many directions at once. A few promising threads just end for no reason. Too melodramatic. A better chef could have cooked up a more character driven yarn. The non traditional music rather than complimenting the film acts as an intrusion as it is calling attention to itself. A few of the characters were quoting lines which seem to be based on Buddhism but these lines add nothing to the story. Looks to be shot on film, but the lighting is only provided by a few existing lights or windows in each room and it is uneven. One scene in particular one can not see the actor's face but the items on the coffee table are fully illuminated. Based on the credit roll this film was shot during four different times of the year. But this adds nothing to the film. The films comes across as both glorifying sex yet at the same time warning of its consequences. Its tone comes across as too preachy. Several scenes show Christian religious symbols in the background. It would have been better if this was handled with a better level of subtly. Be sure to look for a cameo appearance of the director Zeke Zelker in the final scene of the film.
Sex is Powerful
whpratt126 February 2009
Enjoyed this film because it deals with a subject that can destroy peoples lives and their marriages and also relationship's between the opposite sex. This film deals with a young man who has never had sex and his school buddies arrange to break his cherry. There is also a woman who is married and has a very hot lesbian relationship along with many wives cheating on husbands and having other men's children. There is also a man who has HIV positive and is spreading his pain with other women. Truly, this film shows how sex has a power to create good and evil, it all depends on the way you look at things and your own lives. The entire cast of actors gave outstanding performances and I am quite sure we will enjoy seeing them in the future years ahead.
It just doesn't get any better than this . . .
charles0006 June 2012
In the realms of filmcraft, delivering an absolutely compelling story wrapped around a collection characters and circumstances which will leave an indelible mark on your current and future perceptions of life and its complexities, it just doesn't get any better than this.
Many other reviewers here have delved into various detail minutia about a specific character, or style of editing, subplots of the story, and so on.
I'm not going to replicate those various observations and interpretations again here, plenty of others have already done this effectively enough.
What I will offer here, however, is that this is very definitely a "thinking person's film". Yes, there is some sexual content, and other bits which might potentially suit an "R" rating, but none of this gratuitous or simply tacked on the film for effect.
The character studies, the superb exposure of hidden inner aspects of the human condition extruded through the mandril of strange but all too plausible relationship complexities, delivered by a cast that delivered their characters about as perfectly as possible . . . all of this combined together makes watching this film an experience.
This is not for the faint of heart, or anyone who lives in the imaginary bubble of everything eventually is OK by the end of the film, and so on.
Rather, this is a no holds barred journey through what life consists of, likely much more often than many would be willing to admit to or acknowledge.
As I said, this is not a film to merely to be "watched", but rather to be experienced.
As for my evaluation of such, this absolutely a 10+.
Many other reviewers here have delved into various detail minutia about a specific character, or style of editing, subplots of the story, and so on.
I'm not going to replicate those various observations and interpretations again here, plenty of others have already done this effectively enough.
What I will offer here, however, is that this is very definitely a "thinking person's film". Yes, there is some sexual content, and other bits which might potentially suit an "R" rating, but none of this gratuitous or simply tacked on the film for effect.
The character studies, the superb exposure of hidden inner aspects of the human condition extruded through the mandril of strange but all too plausible relationship complexities, delivered by a cast that delivered their characters about as perfectly as possible . . . all of this combined together makes watching this film an experience.
This is not for the faint of heart, or anyone who lives in the imaginary bubble of everything eventually is OK by the end of the film, and so on.
Rather, this is a no holds barred journey through what life consists of, likely much more often than many would be willing to admit to or acknowledge.
As I said, this is not a film to merely to be "watched", but rather to be experienced.
As for my evaluation of such, this absolutely a 10+.
Dark, thought-provoking, too "real" for some...
chair999927 March 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I rarely write reviews of movies, but this one deserves the time investment. First, let me say I have been a mental health provider for 25+ years, so some of the characters in this movie remind me of "real" people I have treated who have "real" problems. Truly, as the movie notes, "choices have consequences!" This movie is NOT "entertainment" in the most commonly used sense. Rather, it is extremely disturbing and thought-provoking--if you allow yourself to go there. One earlier reviewer focused on the "technical" aspects of the movie and marked it down. Fair enough--it is a low-budget, independent film! However, if one is willing to look past the surface aspects, it will be quite a ride! Many of the characters have negative outcomes and just keep sliding downward, but others overcome adversity and experience triumph and joy--just like in "real life". The film proceeds in flash frame sequence over several years; it took me a while to figure out how everyone is related and intertwined--and this is both a deliberate and effective device on the part of the director. Having viewed a DVD copy, I had to stop and go back several times. I finally figured out how everyone fit together, and in so doing, was handsomely rewarded, as there is a rich and complex tapestry of secrets and motivations interwoven throughout. I think it is well worth the watch. The movie is NOT a happy one; rather, it is a serious drama and overall, downright depressing. Don't watch this if you're already sad or looking for a RomCom! However, its message rings of truth and challenges the (thoughtful) viewer to ponder critically one's sexual beliefs and behavioral choices (past and future). If you "like" movies that "create a stir," but without being "preachy" this is a must-see. The director does not tell you what to think, nor passes judgment on his various character's choices, and rightly so. Rather, he provides a superstructure within which the viewer must decide morality, right and wrong, good and evil. This is more of a "blank canvas" movie. You get out of it in direct proportion to what you put into it. As such, it is a "thinking person's" movie, not a mindless or superficial sex film. I finally had to draw out a map of everyone to keep track of the complex interactions. So without giving too much away, a list of the main characters (not in order of appearance), is included for those, (who like me), who are frustrated by not understanding the "big picture" as one moves along. That being said, I recommend you watch the movie first without the benefit of this information, then consult it afterward (or during if you wish). Dr. Peter Gross, OB/GYN. Husband of Lauren Gross, father of adult children Jack, Mindy, and Andy. Lauren Gross, wife of Peter. Having affair with Rob, the artist. Jack Gross, stock broker. Highly promiscuous and a toxic Narcissist. Mindy Gross, nurse. Girlfriend and eventual wife of Dave. Andy Gross, high school student/football player. Baby of the family. Virgin at start of movie. Shea, artist. Live-in girlfriend of Jack Gross. Has drug/alcohol problem and probably bulimia. Dave, self-employed (secretly as a gigolo). Boyfriend and eventual husband of Mindy. Shea is an early customer. Blonde waitress (name?). Single mother of Cathy. Gets abortion at beginning of movie. Cathy, blonde high school student. Girlfriend of Jack, whom he impregnates. Rob, self-employed artist. In long-term affair with Lauren Gross. Uptown Suzy, prostitute. Mentally retarded, incest victim, and screwed by many males, including Andy. Jeni and Steve, friends of Mindy. Jeni engaged and Steve is the bartender at her bachelorette party. "Chastity"/Beth Ann. Stripper that Jack becomes involved with. Transvestite. Hired by Jack to hook up with Dave. Pam and Connie. Cameo appearances as Andy's college girlfriends. First Grandchild of Peter and Lauren. Son of Mindy and Dave.
WOW, WOW, and WOW
aswkingfish18 March 2009
Warning: Spoilers
While nothing is perfect this one is a 9 by all means. Yes the acting was good, direction was good, the script was outstanding, and they all combine for a gut wrenching look at how we are in society with sex. My hats off to the cast and entire crew for making this movie.
I have an issue with the film. One womanizer with aids knowingly had sex to pass it on nonchalantly to his wife and others. This to me is murder and premeditated, but the film did not address this issue in any way. The doctor who brought it out failed to take any action also making him just as guilty. Cheating, is rampant in the film but so it is in life and this movie makes you see the damage and other issues it creates. This movie makes you think think think! THATS A GOOD THING. This is a must see film for all as its content is a very important issue around the world. The film does not make any attempts to choose sides but more responsibly show cause and affect; to achieve effect. BRAVO!
I have an issue with the film. One womanizer with aids knowingly had sex to pass it on nonchalantly to his wife and others. This to me is murder and premeditated, but the film did not address this issue in any way. The doctor who brought it out failed to take any action also making him just as guilty. Cheating, is rampant in the film but so it is in life and this movie makes you see the damage and other issues it creates. This movie makes you think think think! THATS A GOOD THING. This is a must see film for all as its content is a very important issue around the world. The film does not make any attempts to choose sides but more responsibly show cause and affect; to achieve effect. BRAVO!
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
