Sexual Life

The idea of the film seems to be inspired in Max Ophuls' "La Ronde", that classic French film that showed how much life is inter connected, which in itself was based on Arthur Schnitzler's play. The theme has been explored in other films, and it probably was what the director of "Sexual Life", Ken Kwapis, wanted to explore.

Each person we watch from the beginning, has something to do with someone else, and so on. Sex is what seems to hold these people together. We start with the high priced prostitute and end up with her. In between we get to see how a group of young Los Angeles residents having sexual encounters that are the basis of their coming into each other's orbits. Sex seems to be not a big deal with them and nothing is forever, as we watch them going in their own ways to a new relationship without any guilt at all.

The cast assembled do a pretty good job in their different portrayals. Azira Skye, as the prostitute has some good moments. Kevin Corrigan, Anne Heche, Shirley Knight, Fionnula Flanagan, Kerry Washington, Tom Everett Scott, James Legros and the beautiful Elizabeth Banks, do excellent work under the guidance of Mr. Kwapis.

"Sexual Life" has a great contemporary look. While sex seems to be what consumes all the parties in the movie, it makes for a good excuse to watch some of the best young actors working in movies today having fun.

This is an excellent, non-linear film of intimate social mores. The dialog is very well written, with completely believable characters. It is at times funny, heartbreaking, and on some levels disturbing. The acting is world-class, with a wonderful cast. It deals with the complexity of one's sexual life, which can take directions that are against one's overall health and integrity. Each scene was tight and spare, leading beautifully into the next. Human sexuality is probably one of the great mysteries, and it has been given a brilliant and unyielding observation here. The score was at times breathtakingly beautiful. I hope to see more from this writer, director and composer.

"Sexual Life" takes a superficial look at the romantic inclinations or disinclinations of several disparate but loosely interconnected Los Angeles couples as it flows serially from one couple to the next, eventually coming full circle in the end. The common denominator is sex and other relationship salients though the film is quite tame and has a kind of mellow and understated feel to it. The couples range from a call girl and her client to a married couple to a betrothed couple, etc. all obviously carefully planned to provide a range of possibilities for both auteur and audience. Though there's little new to be found between the credits, this is a pleasant little dramedy which handles the subject matter delicately in deference to more edgy and sexually explicit genre motifs. "Sexual Life", built from B listers and a step down for Heche, is a winsome little indie for those who want to glean it from broadcast. (B-)

In a sense, this film is a variation on "Closer," without the sinister edges. It follows the lives, particularly the sexual lives of eight or 10 characters. By linking the characters through chance encounters and physical attraction, the film weaves a tapestry of deceit, hunger, yearning, and the longing to lead other lives. Like "Closer," the characters flirt, dally and feel the sting of regret as they explore the edges of their sexual confines. Throughout the film, characters step outside the roles to which their lives confine them. High-class prostitute (Azura Skye) abruptly quits the job in search of a new life. The vice mayor's son Jerry (Dule Hill) expresses his frustration at always being "the good son." The wedding photographer (Tom Scott) wants to quit paying for sex and find a permanent real relationship. They are lives of longing broken by moments of intense heat. The characters are well-drawn. But, like "Closer," the view ultimately finds it hard to empathize with them. Like the aftermath of sex without live, the movie leaves an empty feeling.

this movies was so bad in so many ways but let's start with the end. it has no ending...they tried i guess to give it an open ending...but they failed...miserably. The short stories have no salt and pepper..no spice....nothing to make them special...

the characters are flat...trapped in a box of little imagination and bad acting... because the actors really don't seem like real people, it's like bad theater: everything is staged, no real emotions, no real situations, no real conversations

and i guess it's also the scripts fault...that brings nothing new...nothing special..nothing original...