The Olivia Experiment

Main character and several supporting cast just plain bad acted and/or badly written. Bad dialogue generally and the film just never engaged me from the start and I turned off after it became clear that Jen Lilley's role was peripheral and would not rescue things. I'm sure this is worthy for various reasons but not what I watch films for. Worth a couple of stars for at least not casting an attractive woman and putting in her braces and glasses.

While the movie has a mildly interesting premise, does a decent job of presenting the awkward heroine, and is competently made, it is just not entertaining. This is really the worst kind of film, one that seems to have the resources to develop into something, but ends up being just a total waste of time. You wait for the punchline, but it never comes. There is no comedy, no drama, no titillation, and not even a resolution. Apparently the viewer is supposed to be too fascinated with the interaction of the stock characters to notice. A shirtless hunk is featured, which I suppose might qualify such a bland and tedious movie as a chick flick, but the plot also includes a chubby dork, which is more expected in a movie for little kids. Rating: inappropriate for all viewers.

The movie is a great example of what filmmakers can accomplish on a shoestring. An enjoyable independent film without production pretensions, it is technically accomplished with simple framing, brisk pace and some really fine acting by a cast of unknowns.

We maintain a rooting interested in our heroine (Olivia) as she goes on her comedic, cringe-worthy quest to better understand the nature of her self-diagnosed asexuality. Forced to face her lifelong problem, Olivia, decides to explore her sexuality issues by losing her virginity to the sexy loaner boyfriend of her share-and-share alike pal. Hilarious complications ensue.

One clever element in the film that really works: Olivia decides to document her "experiment" which allows the director to conduct real interviews with men and women of all ages and sexual orientations who frankly discuss first sexual encounters, sexual identity likes-dislikes and the meaning of the act to each individual. These interviews are feathered through the story as a subtle comment on what is happening to Olivia.

The script has loads of heart. And the well-earned ending sneaks up you and left me feeling warm and happy, as most good romantic comedies should (and do).