Film review: 'Confessions of a Sexist Pig'
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- A well-executed, often-hilarious romantic comedy with a fine cast of fresh faces, "Confessions of a Sexist Pig" contains more old-fashioned charm than shocking new data on the raw agendas of rogue males.
Positively received by the premiere audience Saturday at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, "Confessions" could connect with receptive young-adult audiences if deftly handled in a limited theatrical rollout. Good word-of-mouth and reviews will come in handy when it moves to cable and video.
Writer-director-producer Sandy Tun ("Across the Tracks") conceived the project in the early '90s but was unable to get it off the ground with a relatively unknown Brad Pitt attached. The premise features numerous chatty monologues by the lead character -- a womanizing actor -- and an increasingly fun mixture of "real" footage and scenes from the soap opera he stars in.
Jack Edward Kerr) believes that most men think about sex a lot, imagine having sex with many different women and by nature are not monogamous. In short, women are easily flattered and seduced, so why not take advantage of the situation? Handsome and exuding confidence, Jack makes a practice of getting involved with his co-stars, and the primary plot concerns his unnerving experience with a spunky new leading lady, Anne (Taylor Howard).
Jack plays a hotshot doctor in a "General Hospital"-like show, with Anne as the new specialist. On-screen, they quickly progress from spontaneous romance and lust to more serious relationship issues; off-screen, it takes all of Jack's skills to convince Anne to agree (finally) to a date.
But she sets limits on the relationship, wanting only sex and no deeper commitment or attachment. Being used in the same callous way he has treated so many in the past prompts Jack to examine his behavior and experiences. Soon, he's the one falling in love, and she starts to respond.
On a parallel track, Jack's goofy, airhead rival on the show, Troy (Michael Trucco), makes a play for daft, romantic co-star Tracy (Lauren Graham). The two sex machines are obviously well-matched, and it's cute the way Jack gives them both advice and their lusty affair progresses.
Jack and Tracy have had their share of casual sex, but it's his dallying with the wife (Anneliza Scott) of a friend (Sal Viscuso) that eventually backfires and leads to his humiliation and seeming conversion. The hothouse atmosphere is thoroughly exploited, but the film is fairly tame.
The performances are surprisingly good, particularly those of Howard and Kerr. They have chemistry together and charisma to spare, while Trucco and Graham are equally attractive as well-conceived lovebirds.
CONFESSIONS OF A SEXIST PIG
Pizza Prods.
Writer-director: Sandy Tun
Producers: Sandy Tun, Kohlie Frantzen
Executive producer: Dale Rosenbloom
Director of photography: Lex DuPont
Production designer: J.B. Tintfass
Editor: Farrel Jane Levy
Music: Adam Gorgoni
Casting: Laura Schiff
Color/stereo
Cast:
Jack: Edward Kerr
Anne: Taylor Howard
Troy: Michael Trucco
Tracy: Lauren Graham
Shelley: Anneliza Scott
Marty: Sal Viscuso
Running time -- 91 minutes
No MPAA rating...
Positively received by the premiere audience Saturday at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, "Confessions" could connect with receptive young-adult audiences if deftly handled in a limited theatrical rollout. Good word-of-mouth and reviews will come in handy when it moves to cable and video.
Writer-director-producer Sandy Tun ("Across the Tracks") conceived the project in the early '90s but was unable to get it off the ground with a relatively unknown Brad Pitt attached. The premise features numerous chatty monologues by the lead character -- a womanizing actor -- and an increasingly fun mixture of "real" footage and scenes from the soap opera he stars in.
Jack Edward Kerr) believes that most men think about sex a lot, imagine having sex with many different women and by nature are not monogamous. In short, women are easily flattered and seduced, so why not take advantage of the situation? Handsome and exuding confidence, Jack makes a practice of getting involved with his co-stars, and the primary plot concerns his unnerving experience with a spunky new leading lady, Anne (Taylor Howard).
Jack plays a hotshot doctor in a "General Hospital"-like show, with Anne as the new specialist. On-screen, they quickly progress from spontaneous romance and lust to more serious relationship issues; off-screen, it takes all of Jack's skills to convince Anne to agree (finally) to a date.
But she sets limits on the relationship, wanting only sex and no deeper commitment or attachment. Being used in the same callous way he has treated so many in the past prompts Jack to examine his behavior and experiences. Soon, he's the one falling in love, and she starts to respond.
On a parallel track, Jack's goofy, airhead rival on the show, Troy (Michael Trucco), makes a play for daft, romantic co-star Tracy (Lauren Graham). The two sex machines are obviously well-matched, and it's cute the way Jack gives them both advice and their lusty affair progresses.
Jack and Tracy have had their share of casual sex, but it's his dallying with the wife (Anneliza Scott) of a friend (Sal Viscuso) that eventually backfires and leads to his humiliation and seeming conversion. The hothouse atmosphere is thoroughly exploited, but the film is fairly tame.
The performances are surprisingly good, particularly those of Howard and Kerr. They have chemistry together and charisma to spare, while Trucco and Graham are equally attractive as well-conceived lovebirds.
CONFESSIONS OF A SEXIST PIG
Pizza Prods.
Writer-director: Sandy Tun
Producers: Sandy Tun, Kohlie Frantzen
Executive producer: Dale Rosenbloom
Director of photography: Lex DuPont
Production designer: J.B. Tintfass
Editor: Farrel Jane Levy
Music: Adam Gorgoni
Casting: Laura Schiff
Color/stereo
Cast:
Jack: Edward Kerr
Anne: Taylor Howard
Troy: Michael Trucco
Tracy: Lauren Graham
Shelley: Anneliza Scott
Marty: Sal Viscuso
Running time -- 91 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 3/12/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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