Vida Louca

I admit it... I watched this movie for the title. I live in a highly censored country yet they were showing it on Star Movies! I expected B-movie tawdry but was rewarded with a good movie about sex.

The movie is a decent exploration of the ripple effect of sex -- not a masterpiece -- but a thoughtful look at the subject.

It's not a spoiler to say that the story line jumps from partner to partner through a series of sexual encounters. At times, the links loop around to reveal connection even the character are unaware of.

It reminded me of the STD warnings that when you have sex with a person, you are also having sex with every one of THEIR partners.

With any ensemble caste movie, the acting isn't equal but there really is no bad acting in this film. I thought Anne Heche really stood out and her performance makes this a "must see" for Heche fans (like me.)

If I was a TV director, I'd take this idea and turn it into a mini-series. Each one of the sub-plots could have been given given its own 73-minute treatment and explored a few of the loose ends that could not be developed in 96 minutes.

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.

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...

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.

I usually enjoying choosing a film rental which does not tout big-name actors. Fresh faces & talent breathe new life into the medium. "Talent," however, is key. "Sexual Life" certainly has ambition, but the ambition never gets out of the gate. The narratives remain superficial; the acting is not of a high caliber. The film was definitely over-edited.

With 9 characters, one would hope that a film entitled "Sexual Life" might explore something more than boy-on-girl sexual relationships. Yawn! There is one gay character, but he is on screen for 3 minutes, sharing a dinner with Anne Heche's character.

Azura Skye shows promise here. She should have received top billing.