Amy's Orgasm

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?

Julie Davis directs, writes and stars in this more often than not frustrating comedy. A self-help author(Davis) goes against the grain of a book that skyrocketed her to fame. She convincingly writes about why love does not work; because love is just dressed up sex. Hasn't sex always been about command and power? Probably too educated for her own good...the young writer finds herself falling for a radio shock-jock(Nick Chinlund)with a well known reputation for his four month romances with cover girls and air heads he interviews on his show.

The dream/fantasy scenes if not titillating can easily become frustrating. The young woman fends off her publicist's(Caroline Aaron) lesbian advances. And confessions to her foul-mouthed priest(Jeff Cesario)are actually entertaining. This movie is like waiting for that kiss at the end of a date...and it doesn't come.

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.

This movie is nothing but a tease...offering all sorts of insights into the way women and men inter-act but in the end offering only shallow platitudes.

The use of the confessional as the way of hearing Amy's inner thoughts was nothing but a glib gimmick...completely unbelievable.

The acting was wooden and unimpressive, and I couldn't recognise any of the stars. Nor will I be looking for them in another movie any time soon.

This is a poor imitation of Sex And The City, and comparisons with Woody Allen are hopeful at best, and laughable at worst. It all seemed like a stand-up routine taken too far.

And what is it with movies about women who write books about how they don't need men, and then fall in love? Change the formula!

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)