How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town

It took me two attempts to get through this movie, and the only reason I did is that I'm the type of person who absolutely insists on watching an entire movie unless it is completely unwatchable. I fell asleep on the first attempt, and got through the second time though it wasn't any better. I was wide awake on both attempts.

This movie is not that horrid, but it is quite boring with a predictable and unfunny script. The acting is not great but I've seen the stars of this (the two main female leads) in other movies where they were fantastic, so I think the real problem here is that they didn't have much to work with (again, the script).

It just seems like a lazy, boring movie, where they probably got funding from a studio based entirely on walking in and saying "hey we can get these two sexy women to be in a movie that's about an orgy" and then they coasted on that.

It's not at all funny and even less sexy.

The title implies sex and the category implies laughs. This misleads the viewer before they even begin watching the film. Therefore, halfway through, you are disappointed. I felt really bad for the guy who had the birthday party - everyone was mean to him for no reason. Comedies aren't supposed to make you feel bad and disappoint the viewer for over an hour. Fail. This is an example of how a bad title can ruin a movie.

Oh, by the way, it's also a terrible and unbelievable story. Never in the history of film has more clothing been worn during sex scenes. It wouldn't surprise me if multiple actors passed out from dehydration or heat stroke trying to film all that sex in all of those clothes. The most prudishly directed film of this century.

RealReview Posting Scoring Criteria: Acting - 1/1 Casting - 1/1 Directing - 1/1 Story - 0/1 Writing/Screenplay - 0.5/1

Total Base Score = 3.5

Modifiers (+ or -)

Believability/Consistency: - 0.5

Total RealReview Rating: 3

A trauma of adolescence, combined with a cold parental reaction, help shape the main character Cassie in a story about shaking the past and being fearless (within reason) about the future.

If you had told me that I would like a movie that has at its core the theme of "_____-shaming" I would have laughed that off. Or a movie in which the usual character arc might befall a "homophobic" supporting character. But the movie carries the viewer along and up to the titular premise with a plausible and likable series of events led by a solid and charming cast. Canadian fans will spot a pair of actors known for The Listener. Firefly/Serenity fans will be pleased to see Jewel Staite as the lead in what is essentially both a rom-com and social satire.

From the opening chords of music, there is a firm grasp of nostalgia and a gravitas given to situations from the backstory that could have been mishandled but instead give a sense of emotional stakes and a rooting interest. In a culture of obligatory affirmation, it is an accomplishment that this movie manages to stay funny and full of heart and show some empathy for the weirdo outcast nerd along the way. Definitely worth checking out. Some people might be intimidated by the word Orgy in the title. The full title suggests that there is more going on and the potential absurdity of reality versus expectations have been richly mined in this movie.

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.

Don*t expect too much: the trailer let you expect a funny, clever story with good actors and some tasty erotic. The story is good, but presented uninspired, many gags are lame and flat and finally, the graphic could easily be described as prude. OK, right: a movie with a story like that does with the right skills not need nudity at all. But with a scene the male actor clawing into the breast of the him riding woman to avoid nudity the film becomes hypocrite and lame ! The most explicit scene is a young, half naked no name actress, the rest is uptight avoidance. If they would play everything fully clothed, it would at least be art. Grow up, America !