The opening scene might be quite disgusting and disturbing to some, but if you can get past that, the film is actually enjoyable. (I am not going to disclose the nature of the act, even though I see now that my local paper has given it away!!) Let's just say that the title takes on a double meaning after you see the opening act.*NOTE: now the title is "Sleeping Dogs Lie." When I wrote this, it was called "Stay."
I was one of the lucky ticketholders who got to see this at Sundance...Bob Goldthwaite was at our Salt Lake screening, which we appreciated very much (many filmmakers don't bother with the locals). He warned us before the show started that people may want to walk out at the beginning; and to be honest, I may have left had I not heard him talk about the movie first. One of the things I liked about the movie is that it acknowledges throughout that "the act" is wrong and sick, not socially acceptable, and hard to get past.
I am very glad we stayed. I appreciated so many things about this film. The script was very well written, and the story was compelling. Amy's parents are not portrayed as buffoons, even though they are conservative; her mother especially is shown to be very human and forgiving; her father is perceptive and caring. Goldthwait didn't just go for cheap laughs; this movie actually has something to say.
This movie isn't really about the sexual indiscretion, it's about the nature of "truth" and whether or not people are entitled to know ALL of the bad things you have ever done. If a person has moved on, changed their ways, etc. etc, then some things are better left unsaid, and this movie illustrated that beautifully. If you can get past the first scene (which actually leaves the "act" to the viewer's imagination!), it's really a very well done and surprisingly sweet film.
