Sex and Death 101(2008)- User Reviews

I'm a fan of the "Mentalist" and wish I could be half as confident/charming as the dude Simon Baker plays on that show. In "Sex and Death 101", he plays not a con-artist but does get to use his disarming smile and suaveness to play a guy who inadvertantly gets sent a mysterious e-mail listing all 27 women he has slept with so far...and 74 that he seems destined to have sex with (it's a fantasy). This foreknowledge sinks his impending marriage and sends his character Roderick on a rollercoaster ride of one night stands, with a couple of meaningful relationships thrown in (it isn't a total horndog movie) While initially the list seems to be a positive thing, a "magical document", it eventually begins to control his behavior in ways he doesn't like. And that's where this dark comedy gets it "darkness."

Generally I found it entertaining blend of titillation, romance, quirky comedy, and "angsty" soul searching. I liked it better than "The Hangover" which is a little too crude and immature for me. Leslie Bibb and Frances Fisher turn in small but well rounded performances. Kind of cool to see Mindy Cohn ("The Facts of Life" 80's series) and Neil Flynn (janitor from "Scrubs") on the big screen. Simon Baker plays a cad, but is still likeable character that the audience can invest in (unlike the characters in "the Hangover" which had no redeeming qualities) The part played by Winona Ryder (Death Nell) is a weak side plot that eventually connects with the main storyline.

It was worth the rental to me and in my opinion should've made more than $28,000 at the box office. I saw this movie right after renting "Knowing" another flick about mysterious documents that give foreknowledge. They seem strangely kindred because of that. : )