| Overall Grade: |
A- |
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| Story: |
B |
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| Acting: |
B+ |
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| Direction: |
A |
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| Visuals: |
A |
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Not Your Father's Sex Comedy
by Eric (movies profile)
Sep 7, 2007
6
of
6 people found this review helpful
The scene opens with the Statue of Liberty, although it looks a little...cheap. But then we see the skylines of New York City, made out of cardboard and care, we realized that we aren't so much in the real world, but a version of New York City that belongs as a state of mind. The City really a metaphor for an open mind of possibilities outside normality. With that said, John Cameron Mitchell's Shortbus is one of the most pleasant, joyful, and hedonistically funny movies I've seen all year. Not one that I can recommend to those prudish about sexuality is it straight, gay, or solo. The film celebrates sex in ways that pornography can't touch on their best days, by showing sex as a part of genuine emotional love for another human being.
The film actually starts off with three very explicit sex scenes all tied in together. It doesn't want to lull us into a sense of forbidden temptation. One scene involves (Names), a married couple who are facing an emotional crisis involving "the little death". Another scene involves James (Name), a gay man setting in motion a plan for his boyfriend Jamie (Name), while he begins to set in motion his own destiny. The third scene involves (Names), a dominatrix whose own connection issues has made her incredibly lonely. These three stories intertwine and break apart as we follow characters into learning more about their wants and needs. In the middle of it all is Shortbus, a bohemian club with inhibitions left out on the doorstep. Ruled by the amazing Justin Bond (as himself), Shortbus isn't so much about sex as it is in being around people that have the same special needs and can relate in ways others won't understand.
The first two acts feel like a raunchy version of Nashville and Moulin Rouge set in a hyper-sexed New York City. It's full of comedy and good times that it feels strange when the third act comes to pull the story out of lives that didn't need one to begin with. And with it comes the "Third Act Blues", which means that everybody is seriously troubled about one thing or another, just so they can overcome it or what-not, just so we have a means to end the movie. I don't understand why Mitchell feels he needed to mess up the good vibes of the first two acts for contrived mini-plots that really don't make much difference. He sets up one great device to bring these characters together in the end as it is, and the ending itself is actually very enjoyable after we get over the blues.
Acting in Shortbus really isn't worthy of much praise, it's on par with a comedy that works. But I will say that one of this year's most interesting characters (and I say this with complete sincerity) is Justin Bond, who could have had a movie all about him and I would have loved it. Whenever he's on screen, I find myself enjoying his energy and charisma. He makes Shortbus feel like a comfortable place, even if the though of public sex would scare most of us. But then Shortbus isn't really meant for most, not even those that require lots of sex. Justin Bond is the living example of the kinds of people that would need such a place. And it's not really for sex, but joyful connection to others through sex.
I love John Cameron Mitchell's inventiveness throughout the film, from the cardboard NYC to his boldness to allow real sex to be seen. Did he cast actors that connected like his characters did? I have the strange feeling he did. I just wish that if he decides to follow up on this with another carefree movie that he try to stay away from the pretense of an actual plot. Films like this already work because we're connecting with the people you give us. We really don't need more.
All in all, this is a genuine joy to watch, but not one I see many people gathering for. And most shouldn't because it requires a certain lack of inhibition. But for those who can handle the music, Mitchell's brought the band, and they play one heck of a ditty. Just make sure you rise for The Star Spangled Banner. |
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