Besser als Sex

This is a great investigation into the challenge of having a merely sexual relationship with someone without letting emotions come into it. But, eventually emotions come into it because sex is more than just the release of biological urges. The two main characters Josh and Cin are perfectly portrayed by their players David and Susie. I'm sure they would have put a bit of themselves into their roles. The toughest part would have been filming the sex scenes and for the director filming the scenes without a hint of pornography. My rating: 8/10

This film is simple in plot line---the growth from a one-night stand of a relationship that is expected to end as one party has to leave in a few days---but manages to build the characters with a mixture of soliloquy, quick comment from friends, reaction to fast sexual progression, and so on. It gives the feeling that it was once a stage play, but does not suffer for this. It has a few amusing weird bits, like the taxi driver. It is no blockbuster, but it is well-acted, well photographed, well scripted, has an interesting ending, and is generally warming, while succeeding admirably in making you see the characters without seeing their appearance.

There would be many people in the world that believe there many experiences that are better than sex. I am one person that has to agree, as I believe the world has a lot more to offer than just sex. This film, while being very sexually liberating for the characters that appear in it, is also very touching and funny for the audience that watches it. Although this movie deals with controversial issues involving sex, it is a film I believe any adult can enjoy. This is one classy Australian romantic comedy.

When Josh and Cin meet at a party and decide to spend the night together, it seems to them like the perfect solution. With Josh leaving in three days to go back overseas, what can possibly go wrong? It is one night of sex and the will never see each other again. What is there to get complicated? It will be fun without all the usual expectations. It is just sex. They both know that. But as their night stretches into another night, what seemed so safe and easy starts to get out of control. They both find themselves faced with the possibility that what they want is… better than sex. But will either of them be able to admit it?

Taking on the roles of both the writer and director of ‘BTS' was Jonathon Teplitzky. Jon wrote a very original and very witty script, getting help from script editor, comedy actress Genevieve Mooy. I am sure he did his homework on the issues relating to casual sex and what such an experience can be like. Then the way that he wrote these very unique ‘to the camera' personalities into the screenplay was great, because I felt they were very well crafted characters. Also the use of voiceovers, as tool for us too hear what the two main characters are thinking while they are engaged in a very heavy sexual encounter were hilarious. I could not help but laugh when Josh is thinking of a ‘cake recipe' to delay a climax, and when Cin says ‘I love you' as she comes.

When in the director's chair Jonathon shows even more class. I feel the camera shots that Teplitzky gives only enhance the way we experience the movie, like the many different angles we see Josh and Cin in when they are in bed. The cinematographer, Garry Phillips does a great job in bringing off the shots Teplitzky wanted. Teplitzky also made this film a very fun experience to watch, and I believe it is through his direction that we are allowed to feel that way.

The main stars in this film were Josh (Aussie heartthrob David Wenham) and Cin (Susie Porter). Both are very good in their roles. They were very professional, considering that they had to share many sexually moments in the film. Both of these actors shared a chemistry that made you believe they could ever end in this sort of situation. It is my opinion that Wenham was born to play his role. These roles were extremely important in the success of the film, and I have to say both Wenham and Porter pulled them off.

There were other roles that I liked in the film. Sam (Catherine McClements) is an iffy friend of Cin. McClements is very good in her cameo performance in the movie, as her flirtatious ways would be concerning for any girlfriend to take, in front a prospective boyfriend. What happens when Sam officially meets Josh for the first time was very funny. There is also the character of the Taxi Driver (Kris McQuade). She was very observant when it came to Cin, as she knew what she was like. McQuade had a very deep husky voice, but for some reason I liked her role. There was also the great role taken on by people simply known as ‘girls' or ‘guys' in BTS. The Girls included B (Dina Gillespie), C (Emily Saunders), D (Laura Kennelly), E (Leah Vandenberg) and F (Tammy McIntosh), while Guys included A (Mark Priestly) B (Tamblyn Lord) C (Jason Clarke) D (Jason Chong) and E (Tim Richards). All these people, while not having major roles in the film, made this aspect of the movie very memorable for me.

The music of BTS was also a highlight of the film. Composer David Hirschfelder and his musical crew did a great job in giving this movie a really good feel. It is another movie that has had a very subtle by very effective score. I love the way Hirschfelder used such instruments as violins, guitars drums and pianos. The way Hirschfelder has the piano twinkling half way through the film was terrific. The good songs of the soundtrack include Gets me up by Sneak and Stay the same by Kylie Minogue.

This movie does not have many locations or characters, but that did not distract from how good a film it was. I think it only enhanced the film all the more, and made what was shown to seem all the greater. It would be safe to assume that many people have been in such a situation as the one presented in this film. If this is true, than what the movie showed would have only been more entertaining for that group of individuals/couples. This is a very good piece of Australian cinema, one that I highly recommend to you, if you are yet to see it.

CMRS gives ‘Better than Sex': 4.5 (Very Good – Brilliant Film)

Since you will have already read the plot by now, let me just say this movie was a lot of fun! I rate it much higher than the other folks on imdb.com The taxi driver, the refrigerator scene, and the final airport scene all brought big smiles to my face. Not a movie for the kids - see it with a close friend.

The only bad thing I can say about this film is the fact that it took nearly four years for it to reach the US. The tag line pretty much sums it up -- what was intended as a one night stand turns into more than the participants expect. Sexy -- definitely (I may never look at wildlife documentaries quite the same way again); funny -- in many places hilarious, especially when examining the Mars/Venus aspect of burgeoning relationships (toilet seats, dressing time); and surprisingly sweet. The stars are charming, attractive and very real, and are ably supported by the rest of the cast, particularly the actress (whose name I now can't remember, my apologies!) who plays the cabbie who doubles as a relationship counselor.

There's a saying that life is what happens when you're busy making plans -- perhaps love is what can happen when you're busy having sex, if you let it. Well worth your time, and share it with a friend.