Screwed

Had to add a review after catching this on Netflix, being intrigued by the film, and reading the other two oddly harsh reviews.

Screwed has its limitations: most notably, the low production values of an indie done on a tight budget, and a predictable and somewhat disappointing ending. And on netflix, all passages with music tracks have been entirely muted out--presumably due to copyright issues?--which makes for a jarring performance.

But those flaws aside, it has an engaging cast, a great deal of wit, and an interesting premise. Well worth your time. The film industry would be much better off if more pictures like this saw the light of day.

This movie has almost all the ingredients of a sex comedy (read my past reviews to know which ....if your a fan of this genre you already know).

But to add to that it had a few concepts and scenes that could have made this movie epic.

1) The concept of the tape (most sex comedies are based on less).

2) The weird black guy (as recurring non storyline characters go this is better than most).

3) The nuclear family ( responsible for some of the funniest scenes in the movie).

I can excuse the bad production values and the poor soundtrack and background score (and so should you its a C- movie after all).

But why the hell does a R-rated sex comedy have no female nudity, hell why the hell doesn't it even have any hormone inducing exposure.

Why market surveys and demographics may have ruined most modern big budget films, even the dumbest person should know if your making a film for a person whos willing to see a B or C (R rated) sex comedy, then the least he is expecting is loads of gratuitous nudity.

To add insult to injury the script bloody demanded it.

Maybe someday some better filmmakers with a decent budget will remake this movie and and titillation to it.

That would make a great or maybe even epic movie.

This remains your average B or C movie.

This movie could have been good. Not great but good enough so you feel you didn't waste time watching it. The plot is just silly enough to be good. People doing things do them so that they could be funny. Interactions could be funny. And some supporting characters are funny as they are. And while movie attempts to be different and not go for traditional happy ending it fails.

But it isn't. Bad acting and bad editing ruin everything. while movie has that distinct low budget-y feel that really isn't that bad. And even so some things work, like Nuclear family and weird black guy.

But overall it's wasted effort and you shouldn't waste your time with it.

This movie offered ceaseless moments of surprise. I'm sorry but the pretentious film nerd reviews are not to be heeded. I'm no film buff. I am a romantic academic whose who life career is wrapped up in understanding public appeal and popular culture.

This film is "rough." True. Technically. But there is something more at work that is simply beautiful and sublime.

The writing and directing is oddly authentic. Somehow and in someway, the director was able to pull more out of this cast than what is possible given the limited budget.

I came to this movie with low expectations.

And, perhaps, that is part of its charm for me: it defied and exceeded expectations.

Some have suggested that this movie needs to be "remade." Ok. Cool. But that only testifies to what this film is: a severely underrated romantic comedy that clearly has powerful writers and director.

When I watched this movie I felt like I was watching people of high talent, but low opportunity, being pushed to their limit. It felt like a last gasp...and last "let's give it our all" type attempt.

Yes. I get it. The film as "ingredients" of a sex/rom com. But that is not what this film is about. It is neither and only about sex or romance. It is also about how important it is to seize the moment.

And, "moments" is what I keep experiencing as I watched the film.

Again, I had low expectations. However, this film continually anticipated my "plot hole" cynicism and then offered just a bit more. Go ahead. I dare you. Consider this you "typical" rom/sex com movie. You will be surprised.

In my my background of expertise, I can tell you that anytime I am surprised it is only because someone has done something extraordinary. Ordinary, yes. But EXTRA ordinary.

Big ups and congrats to the crew of this low budget film. The writing and directing was solid. Give it a sympathetic view and you'll realize how awesome it is, not only and simply how it could be.