First off, I feel like this movie instantly gets 50% better if you're Canadian. It's cast is made up entirely of a "oh right, I remember her/him from X tv show" for most people in Canada.
Also, for those expecting a softcore porn film starring alumni from Ginger Snaps, Firefly, Private Eyes and Mutant X I'll say right here you will be very disappointed. Despite the title this movie is mostly about the "planning" part of the orgy rather than the orgy itself. Other than one topless scene with a non-leading actor there's zero nudity. Oh, there's a couple of dudes butts. If you wanted porn there's an entire internet of it out there.
How To Plan An Orgy In A Small Town is just one of those films where it seems like everyone was having fun making it and enjoying the simple premise to its fullest. Performances across-the-board are rather made-for-tv but given that this isn't a film meant to take seriously it does actually work in the movies favour. There's just enough ham in the delivery that makes the film work but doesn't delve into self-parody.
The premise is rather simple: sex columnist Cassie returns to her small town that she was shamed out of town years ago, and in order to prove that the town isn't as dull as Cassie has described it as (in the article that made her famous) her old teenage rival wants Cassie to help plan an orgy. Of course several people have their own reasons for wanting to be in the orgy, and the natural awkwardness is what drives like half the plot.
Again, this is a very Canadian film. There's just something innately funny about the way people try to be polite about describing the "stank" of an orgy. I can see how this type of comedy might fall flat if you expected a film with this title to be more vulgar -- the laughs do come from a place of niceness.
Helping matters is that the ensemble is rather strong. The entire cast fit their roles perfectly; no one is acting outside their comfort zone. Jewel Staite really does nail the role of Cassie, and it helps that she is so naturally easy to root for no matter what role she plays. Every character is rather one-note but their notes are solid. Bonus points for having Katharine Isabelle not be wasted in this movie.
It's a small film with a simple premise, don't go expecting anything more. If the trivia is to be believed it was filmed in just over 2-weeks, mostly in a few houses that are close to each other. Pay attention to the title!
I'd say definitely give this a watch if you just want to laugh at the natural awkwardness that comes from trying to plan an orgy with people who are completely alien to the concept, or are a fan of any of the actors involved. It may take awhile for the ultimate "climax" but the ride is enjoyable.
