I Am a Sex Addict

Director of this film is Caveh Zahedi and he also plays the lead role in this semi-documentary style film. It assume it's based on a true story about a man named Caveh Zahedi who is a sex addict and is struggling to stay loyal to one woman while showing his sexual history. Now I can understand people that don't believe in marriage, but Caveh just tries way too hard to show that he is a nice guy with morals, I guess his own morals. In another words this is a very self indulgent film, which actually hurts the product overall. The narration and re-telling the stories was actually well done though and even if the director that was also playing the lead role is self indulgent while making and acting in the movie, he seemed to be very honest as well, just not that honest with himself. I think Caveh's main problem was or is, more than being a sex addict is that he just can't keep his temptations in his head. He just needs to spout it all out in front of his girlfriends while annoying the heck out of them while looking really creepy looking. I also didn't have any sympathy towards Caveh if that was intentional or not and he just came off as a bit of a egomaniac, despite his flaws he just seemed a bit way too desperate to be liked and accepted. The movie goes through these 12 step program until he finds his true happiness in life. So yes this is a self indulgent film, but it's also a fascinating psychological study. To be honest when I saw the cover for this movie, I thought it would go on a more serious direction, but I am glad it went the more comedic direction. And although some may say this film is repetitive, I didn't really have a problem with that, because it just made the movie more realistic. Even if a lot of what happens aren't clearly explained, like how Caveh made a drastic change just by going to Sex Addicts Anonymous meetings. It is a interesting semi-documentary in which most scenes are recreated.

6.6/10

I am a sex addict is not another stupid comedy as one might suppose while looking at the tittle. It makes an attempt to be a smart film on very important subject, that is sex addiction. The movie succeeds in this respect and even at some points resembles more drama than comedy. Although I approve of extremely personal films with wise message and dealing with difficult, taboo subjects, I regrettably cannot write that I am a sex addict is a good or bad film. In fact, it's a mixed bag and wasted potential for me. Caveh Zahedi tells the story about himself without embelishment and sentimentalism, which requires a great bravery and distance. Nonetheless, the picture is very uneven. It starts very well, but then it 's worse and worse. The flick becomes wordy and lengthy. What is the biggest vice is a first-person narration which is repetitive and to a large degree irrelevant. Zahedi also appears too frequently (he's present in every scene). The superior moments are when Zahedi plays with form in order to entertain viewers. The ending is satisfactory, but it's too late to save this average movie.

A fascinating watch as we see one man use film making as a kind of therapy. This has probably been done before, but never so openly. We follow Zahedi as he bluntly discusses his addiction to sex and prostitutes. Zahedi is an honest and endearing man. His naivety translates well into both comedy and genuine emotion. The constant breaking of the forth wall and laying out facts about the film's production, as well as his story, make this sometimes jumbled, but always enjoyable. I got a real feel for Zahedi, but this film doesn't wallow in self pity or excuse his actions. It's low budget helps Zahedi create some wonderful little quirks.

Caveh, the director and lead actor of the film has a rather interesting problem; he is addicted to sex with prostitutes. The film is comprised of narrations re-telling the stories of his failed attempts to stop his addiction and the relationships that are destroyed as a result. Mixed in the narration is interview footage of Caveh just before his wedding (his third), where he narrates his struggle. He eventually finds recovery in a 12-step program, and finds a level of happiness.

At the U.S. premiere at the Tribeca Film festival, he revealed that the vast majority of these very personal and embarrassing stories were true. Also, his wife was in the audience and he reports that after 7 years his relationship is strong.

As for the film, it's actually very funny, as Caveh is able to present dysfunctional scenarios in a self-defacing and humorous light. It's a shame that a movie like this will probably never get distributed world-wide, but if you see it at a film festival, go see it. Highly recommended.

Obviously not a Hollywood, high-budget film, but if you can get past that it is really interesting. Yes, the Producer/Director/Writer/Star is being very self indulgent. Of course you learn from the film that he has always been that way. But this film is an outstanding a study of a male viewpoint of relationships and sex.

He repeatedly says that all he wants is someone he can be totally honest with, and he hears several women tell him they want that honesty. Of course the truth is that we only want our partners to be honest when it matches our own view of reality. When their truth conflicts with our view of reality we either try to argue them out of their truth or force them to deny it. In fact, as much as Caveh wants the freedom of being honest with his partners he never gives them that same freedom.

Don't rent this for the sex scenes and don't rent this for a great plot. But if you like psychological studies of relationships, this film is well worth the time and money.