Amour & Conséquences

Scenes of a Sexual Nature has the makings of a lovely British drama - a more subtle and less schmaltzy version of Love Actually, maybe. Indeed, it has a cast as strong as that of Love Actually - even if less filled with stars - and a wittier, more intelligent script. The terrific writing and wonderful chemistry between the actors (who include Ewan McGregor alongside slightly-lesser-known character actors like Mark Strong, Tom Hardy, Catherine Tate, Eileen Atkins, Andrew Lincoln, Gina McKee and Benjamin Whitrow) make almost every scene a pleasure; whatever the movie has, works.

Unfortunately, it just has too little. There's some hint of a connection between the various stories once or twice, but it feels forced, and there's no real thematic connection either; and because stylistically it's completely plain and simple, there's no stylistic connection either (the kind that works well in Jim Jarmusch films). Which makes the whole movie little more than a series of short skits, most of which don't have any satisfying ending or real message or theme, leaving the viewer unsatisfied and a little bit hollow. There's just no real movie here. It's a decent watch and has some good scenes, but in the end it's more frustrating than it is enjoyable.

For an hour and a half I watched some very innocent couples, doing what couples do and... that's about it. Doesn't lead anywhere, there are no real funny moments, just plain British humor that reminds me of my grandmother's humor.

Indeed, a sunny day, people in love, all are different: Some are old, some are young, some are black, some are white, some are gay, some are straight, some are rich, some are poor, some are elevated and some are dumb.

All the dialogue is dull, the action slow, there's no moral of the movie, no event that gathers everything that happened in all that time.

I honestly don't know what I've seen. I'm blank.

I'm going to start by being honest with you. This film leapt at me from the shelves due to its title, as it would to most adolescent males. However if you're reading this expecting this to be some kind of vulgar comedy porno, then don't worry because its not, its far from it.

The concept of this film is beautiful, focusing on seven different couples engaged in seven contrasting forms of relationships. The setting is Hampstead Heath park in North London, with the whole story being focused on one day in this location. The storyline is not complex, nor is it particularly special. Don't expect any gargantuan revelations, but rather wait for some pleasant twists to make you smile. What this film may lack in depth, it certainly makes up for in charm.

I think its important to remember that this film is more of a short, quirky study of relationships, to be taken seriously and not so seriously simultaneously. It contains a star- studded cast containing Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting), Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually) and Eilleen Atkins (Cranford) amongst others. The performances range in quality, although none of the cast members really get enough time to really develop their characters (which is what makes this film so interesting).

My main criticism of this film is that I think seven couples is arguably too many, with me thinking that only 5 of the couples are really significant to the plot. This would've given the film makers a few extra minutes per couple to develop their characters a little more. Overall however, this film impresses. It couldn't really score higher due its lack of depth, but its quirky charm and heart- warming glow is its redeeming factor.

74/100

This is a beautifully made film, the style is original, simple, and very easy to watch. It's a short film about life and love set on Hampstead Heath, and is without a doubt one of the sweetest films made in a number of years. It has no complex plot, but is interesting and filled with many amusing anecdotes, and will make you laugh out loud at times. Filled with a very talented cast, and many familiar faces (Andrew Lincoln, and Hugh Bonneville being a few of my favourites) this movie is far from dull, and particularly easy to relate to. I have watched it numerous times, with numerous people, and have yet to find someone (male or female) who does not share my high opinion of this film. I highly recommend it to anyone.

Hampstead Heath, that wonderful expanse in London is the setting for this delightful comedy. Directed with style by Ed Blum, the comedy brings some of England's most interesting actors together in a film that is as easy to take like a summer in the park with a nice breeze in the air.

We are taken to meet several people that seem to be enjoying their day, totally unconnected to one another. We meet Iris, a widow, whose reaction to Eddy, the older man that asks her if she would mind sharing her bench, is not exactly a happy one. Yet, they seem to have more in common than one could have suspected. They have met because of they have gone to the park on the wrong day.

Then, there is the young gay couple who are seen in the "Men Only" section of the park, talking about their life together and how one would stop cruising other men if they could agree in adopting a child. That proves to be wishful thinking, because when all it's said and done, the same proponent is seen trailing after a hot number to a secluded area to engage in sex, no doubt. One wonders about how realistic his expectations can be.

One of the best vignettes involves a blind date. The two people one sees seem to hit it off well, although they seem to have different opinions on what they expect from one another. There is also a funny sequence involving a couple that meets to what appear to be a happy reunion for a nice stroll, and suddenly a shock comes when she asks him for money for her fee, which has gone up in price.

All the actors in the film contribute tremendously to the enjoyment of it by acting effortlessly in this comedy that seems to be about nothing, yet it reveals a lot of inner tensions in many of the characters.

Best of all, Ewan McGregor and Douglas Hodge as the gay lovers. Eileen Atkins and Benjamin Whitrow make a perfect old couple. Gina McKee and Hugh Bonneville are effective as the couple on the blind date. Contributions by Adrian Lester, Sophie Onokedo, Polly Aird, and Polly Walker enhance the film.

Ed Blum shows a talent for creating people so different that happen to be one day in Hampstead Heath truly believable.