After Sex

Brooke Shields -- in a departure from her "Suddenly Susan" duties -- plays a bitter divorcee who embroils three girlfriends in a "girls only" weekend in Palm Springs. The problem: Brooke is "unattached" and on the prowl, while her friends are all involved. Hence the title implications and emotional backlash their "amoral" weekend causes.

Despite a few laughs generated by Dan Cortese ("Victoria's Closet") and MTV "relationship authorities" Adam Corolla and Dr. Drew Pinsky, this is somber stuff for women only. D.B. Sweeney, Virginia Madsen and Jon Polito co-star.

Being a D.B. Sweeney fan, I've been on the lookout for this movie for quite some time. I recently rented the video and found it very enjoyable. It had some really hilarious scenes. The dysfunctional lives of some of the characters was unsettling, but I think the movie also showed that it's possible to keep your life on track or get it back on track if it's been derailed.

It's amazing that such a cliche-ridden yuppie angst film actually got made in the first place. The characters are so weak, and the acting so uninspired, that it's impossible to care about any of them-- especially Brooke Shields. The temptation to fast forward through the slow parts is almost irresistible. If you like this genre, you'd be better off renting "Singles," or "Bodies, Rest & Motion."

Brooke Shields did a superb job. She played her character with realism. Throughout the movie, I felt like I was on the sidelines, watching real people play out a real life drama. The clips of Dr. Drew Pinsky and Adam Carolla (playing themselves, as entertaining as they have always been) added additional comedic interest. Long before the movie was over, I turned on my VCR to begin recording...if only for the music credits. The movie contained a wealth of great songs. I thought many (if not all) of the characters were well played. The fact that it had a fantastic soundtrack made it an even more memorable movie. I have added this movie to my list of "Good-to-great movies that I would watch again".

Usually when I review any film, good or bad, I like to comment on why I have the feelings I do. But in the case of this film I truly cannot be bothered. This film lacks good direction, has lame acting, a terrible script and starts to be become laughable and in poor taste. It also shows that the actors and actresses really have chosen a project that will bring a quick end to their careers. I am talking of people such as Brooke Shields (Suddenly Susan), Virginia Madison (from the great romantic comedy ‘Electric Dreams') and D.B. Sweeney, so on and so on.

So my rating for the film?

CMRS gives ‘About Sex': 0.5 ( - Bad Film)

Why? Well quarter of that rating goes to the entire cast, crew and behind the scenes people for turning up for a few weeks and putting on a movie, albeit a disgraceful one. The other quarter, goes to the best parts of the movie, that of the two men talking in what looks like a psychologist's office. I have plenty of experience in such a place, and a lot of what these guys say makes plenty of sense. It is a shame the other parts of the film did not add up.

Enough has been said already. Please beware. This is a film that you will most likely hate, with a vengeance, because I know I do.