Virtual Sexuality

"Virtual Sexuality" is an above average movie about teenagers aimed especially at a teenage audience. It does include the traditional ingredients of similar movies, like the interest for the other gender, the good hearted nerd, the school's babe, the stupid jock and the silly parents. Yet is it different. Firstly because it is British (taking place in London) and not American as most films of the kind. Secondly because it contains an interesting twist (the duplication, as a man, of the female lead). Thirdly because the movie is told mainly from a female perspective. It does have some good points about relations between girls and boys in their upper teens, and they are told in a funny and inventive way. The main asset of the film is however Laura Fraser who plays the female lead, Justine. She is not only beautiful in a fresh and believable way, but also very, very charming. The movie wouldn't have been the same without her!

Justine is still waiting for her first real romantic encounter. She has had opportunities but has skipped them, for she longs for the whole package; that is, true love. When she goes to a technology fair with a friend named Chas, she enters a booth and is urged to "create" a perfect male for herself on screen. Yet, a freak accident results in her newly fangled male, Jake, to pop out of the screen and be a living specimen. However, he does not want anything to do with Justine. Justine is in despair and resolves she'll "just get it over with" with someone else. No, no Justine! Don't do it! This is a British film with some good moments. Watch Justine on her actual dream date, riding down the Thames in a boat, for example. Now that's lovely. The young actors are all adept, although the man playing Jake did not seem like a "dreamboat" to me. The London setting is fun and the dialogue perky, although there is some bad language thrown in. All in all, do you think you've seen all of the romantic comedies in existence? You have not, if you've missed this one. Look beyond its bad title and give it a whirl for an evening. You might be pleasantly surprised at how likable the film is.

Virtual Sexuality proves that Britain can produce romantic comedies as vapid as those from America. The only differences are an ending that ties up the loose bits differently than an American film would and a cameo by Ram John Holder, which is always welcome. That's enough to make this a watcher on a cold winter's night.

Nobody that sees this movie will tell you that the plot is spectacular or brilliant, but I think most people will be fairly entertained by it. There are, as in most movies, some slow times or failures, but there are some interesting developments dealing with the main characters, primarily how the girl acts in her new body as a guy. It's really a toss up whether or not the movie is worth seeing. If you're in the mood for a fairly simple but mostly entertaining film, go ahead and check it out. If you prefer heavy or artistic movies with flawless and deep plots, you should probably avoid this one. It is also worth noting that the English accent is sometimes hard to understand, so if that annoys you, this movie will too.

I stumbled upon this movie accidentally. In any other situation I would have most likely turned the TV off and paid this movie no mind. But once I started to watch it I couldn't turn it off. I tried but my hand would slowly wander back to the remote. The acting wasn't the best that I've seen. The plot was horrible and predictable. Yet I was compelled to watch on. I've seen movies that have claimed to be intellectually stimulating and left feeling as though I had been robbed of something. But with this movie you walk in expecting nothing and therefore you feel as though you've lost nothing when you're done. I would suggest seeing this movie if you're looking for something fluffy, candy-coated, and just plain entertaining.