Speaking of Sex

This broad sex farce fell through the cracks in late 2001, despite an outstanding pedigree; it was produced by the great Alain Sarde (The Pianist, Vera Drake), helmed by the gifted John McNaughton (Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, Mad Dog and Glory), and scored by George Clinton, and sports a first-rate cast including James Spader, Bill Murray, Melora Walters and Catherine O'Hara. That sounds like a surefire commercial home run, but the movie never received a proper U. S. theatrical release.

Though it isn't difficult to see why French producers initially greenlit the project, it's also likely that the wall-to-wall explicit dialogue and subject matter may have scared off U. S. distribs. The movie is so gleefully raunchy and lewd that it feels like a relic of the 70s - it has the same open-armed embrace of freewheeling sexuality that comedies like John Byrum's Inserts and Bertrand Blier's Calmos did - lots of droll talk about sexual anatomy and orgasms and technique.

For those viewers willing to run with this, Speaking has a promising setup and numerous belly laughs during its first 70 minutes or so, and a couple of plum performances - one by Spader, as a harried, sexually starved therapist, another by Murray as a sleazy, toupé-wearing attorney - the kind of scuzzbucket who might later specialize in defending Me Too predators. These two are a joy to watch. Walters also does first-rate work as a sweet but naive housewife, swimming way out of her depth with these sharks. And some of the same McNaughton directorial gifts that were on display in Henry and Mad Dog and Glory manifest here - particularly his sneaky and subtle way of visually establishing character. Another bonus: his clever approach to filming Spader and Walters's first tryst, which includes witty smash cuts to screaming African masks at the point of climax.

Initially, we may feel we're in for a home run with this picture. But after the first hour, the material begins to lose steam. Two recurring jokes - one involving a couple of cutesy poo euphemisms for genitalia and another about the Spader character's masterful sexual technique - may earn a smile the first time, but get repeated ad infinitum. On top of this, none of the final narrative reversals work at all. The third act feels as if it may have been cut, given a hastily introduced and abandoned thread about the sexual commercial exploitation of Walters's character that leaves a rancid taste in our mouths.

I wouldn't necessarily discourage anyone from seeing this - the film isn't a total wash, and it has its pleasures. But it falls short of the greatness of Henry and Mad Dog and eventually wears out its welcome.

I saw this movie was available for free on streaming, and I was interested because it was a movie with Bill Murray that I hadn't seen. I was aware he wasn't the main character, but I decided to give it a try.

So, it *is* funny, but it's not hilarious, and maybe a tad bit long. James Spader is not really a comedian. It's good to see him do different types of movies, though. Here he's really just freaked out, and flabbergasted by what happens in the story. He's definitely overacting, but this is really like a Farrelly Brothers movie, it's very over the top. The sex is not sexy, if that's what you're looking for, it's very ridiculous, with characters falling all over the place. I was very impressed with Jay Mohr in this. This is not a character most guys would want to play, but he played it great! Catherine O'Hara was really witty, too! Loved her in this.

In these days I have a hard time finishing movies, but this one kept my attention, it just could've ended a little bit sooner.

If you like anyone in the cast, or like over the top comedic films, I'd say give this a try,

Good production quality with some some really decent funny acting by almost every character.

i never seen james spader doing comedy but he did this very well. he is funny. the plot is simple but it keep getting complicated later but still its easy to understand. im really glad that it wasnt serious movie, otherwise it would be a disaster.

This movie was similar in many ways to a French sex farce. So I guess you'll have to call this an American sex farce. The script was well thought-out, though there were a few characters which didn't get enough air time.

James Spader played a neurotically geeky psychiatrist, which is a bit of a different character for him, as he usually plays sexual deviants. Good manic performances by Jay Mohr, Melora Walters, and Lara Flynn Boyle. Bill Murray and Catherine O'Hara also shown in their supporting roles. Phil Lamarr had a hilarious line, despite being only a cameo appearance.

There were several intermingled stories playing all at once. It was well done because if one story started to drag, they could switch to another story to keep the interest fresh. This is really light-hearted stuff, but it did have some very subtle comic moments in places that you might miss if you don't watch it more than a couple of times, so watch it at least a couple of times.

This was the closing night of the 37th Chicago International Film Festival. The audience laughed all the way through. Get a van and bring everyone you know!

I loved how this movie poked holes in our prudishness. Even after 6 years of Bill n' Monica many of us are still not able to do what the title suggests.

It's funny funny funny. Not for kids, but funny.

McNaughton should get a Oscar Nom for keeping this movie funny and moving all the time!