Amy's Orgasm

Story about writing a book for all women just because one had some unhappiness and feels righteous enough to advise all women to avoid the mistake she herself made. Then about hypocrisy of doing what she advises others to NOT do. Then the obvious Howard Stern reference (maybe she in real life is a fan???) and the goody-goody exaggerations of this character. Then the sellout to the "happy ending". All in all a very bad story. But nicely shot.

There are many engaging and titillating sequences in this low-budget production that is written, stars, is directed by, and co-produced by Julie Davis. But, it is as uneven and ultimately frustrating as any comedy you've ever rooted for to succeed.

Since many other reviewers have done a thorough job of identifying and critiquing the maddeningly confusing inconsistencies of this subversively anti-feminist treatise masquerading as a stereotyped pro-feminist fictionalized autobiography that rails against society's stereotypes only to find that some stereotypes are stereotypes because they are true, I will merely add that I heard deafening echoes of past sellouts such as ABC's debacle called "The Great American Beauty Contest" and Jane Fonda's character "admitting" that all women only go to college to find husbands in the movie "Tall Story." [That was all just one sentence, folks!]

What makes the above one-sentence summary such a shame is that writer Davis did seem to have some interesting ideas to convey and actor Davis conveyed some of them quite engagingly. More frustrating still is that Director Davis did an excellent job of pacing the movie and adding cute visual ideas on a low budget, and did a SUPER job of making satiric statements through wardrobe choices. Yet, Director Davis hadn't a clue how to direct actor Davis who, in turn, threw away some of the best lines written by writer Davis. It is unknown to what extent co-Producer Davis played in the ultimate cop-out decisions alluded to by the others in arriving at the unsatisfying ending that left so many of us feeling betrayed or cheated. But, at the same time, it is clear that Julie Davis is a woman of great wit, intelligence, and talent that is worthy of harnessing.

Overall, this is fast-moving and enjoyable enough to spend 100 minutes watching. So, why not watch it on Showtime-on-demand, then arrive at your own conclusions?

In the context of grand cinema, "Amy's Orgasm" is a zit. However, in the context of romcom fare, this flick is somewhere around the middle of a very large heap. A naive but lively Niagara of prattling about the usual stock love vs sex stuff we've all seen before, "Amy's O" does little to distinguish itself and will probably play best with teen females at sleep-overs because of the in-your-face vulgarities, sexual emphasis, and obvious girl power bent. Passable stuff for the public at large, "Amy's O" is a marginal though worthy effort for a relatively young auteur who apparently put this flick together almost single handedly. (C)

For me, what "Amelie" was to Paris, "Amy" is to Los Angeles. Amy"s O is a witty, well conceived and acted presentation and resolution (the cop-out ending!) of a feminist argument, alive with larger than life characters, each contributing a perspective on the argument, which is of course, maintaining female self esteem in a traditional relationship. The best of this genre - funny and intellectually satisfying - 9/10

Cute, slightly offbeat romantic comedy is funny and I recognize some of the lead's attitudes and actions from girls I've known, so it kind of helps me figure out why they do some of the things they do, and I liked the way they would move from what was happening to what she was hearing and imagining, as when a guy's comments about having stayed with an ex for the good sex translating in her mind to a diatribe about her being fat. Movie has a rather cynical view towards self-help pop psychology books, which I think is justified. The big speech near the end of pretty stupid, the sort of unrealistic thing you see in Hollywood movies all the time. Not successful on all levels, and if I felt like it I could pick apart this or that, but overall it just works and is quite entertaining.