Denial

I have seen the film. Yes, it is very funny. But I also found it degrading to certain actors' professional ability in TV and in movies. This particular actor is much better off in family-type movies. Other than that it makes one think whether or not monogamy is for them. It is a delicate, controversial issue.

Joel (Jonathan Silverman), a hotshot LA lawyer, is throwing a dinner party with his beautiful second wife, medical student Sophie (Leah Lail). Also at the meal is photographer Claudia (Amy Yasbeck) and her handsome husband, Isaac (Ryan Alosio) as well as chef Sam (Patrick Dempsey) and his pregnant fiancée, Sammie (Christine Taylor). They are exchanging banter when another guest arrives solo. That would be author Art (Jason Alexander), a new client of Joel's. In short order, the "sweetness and light" of the dinner blows away, as Art dishes on the subject of marital fidelity. It is this writer's opinion that men will never be faithful, even in marriages where the wife is greatly loved. Uh oh. Virtriol is soon being flung, for Claudia, especially, is very angry at Art's smug ideas and egotistical personality. Before long, the party is over. Once the guests have gone, Joel and Sophie get into further discussion of fidelity, because Joel cheated on his first wife with Sophe. The other couples arrive at their homes pretty confused also. It isn't too long before Art's theories are tested, as Joel frequents an oriental "massage parlor", Sophie garners the attention of an anatomy prof (Charles Shaunessy) and Isaac meets a lovely antiques dealer when he shops for an anniversary gift for Claudia. Also, Sammie is busy redecorating her home for the baby while Sam spends long hours at the restaurant, taking breaks to visit the triple X theaters and read his porn magazines. Then, too, Joel has to bail his brother Reuben (Adam Rifin, who wrote and directed the film) out of another tangle with the law and a chance second encounter between Claudia and Art, of all people, may lead to something, too. Whoowee, are the writer's ideas correct? If not for the wonderful cast, I would have turned this sleazy flick off after the first 30. Silverman, Dempsey, Taylor and the others are THE only reason to keep watching, for they try to elevate the material into something watchable. It's a no go. Yes, there may be something to the difficulties of faithfulness in marriage but this seems to delve into deviancy, too. The sets, costumes, and camera work are fine but nothing spectacular while the script and direction are sometimes interesting but mostly offensive. In brief, don't bother to look this one up, especially if you are a newlywed. It's a depressing film with very little to offer the viewing public.

There seems to be a whole sub genre of cheap, tired old sex "comedies" out there, that say the same old things about middle class couples. Sort of like Friends, but with more soft porn and no wit. This film is no exception- it had situations so familiar I died from deja vu. People sat on couches, spinning out clichés about sex and relationships? Check. Monogamy versus cheating with some woman/man who would never look twice in reality at some other woman/man? Check. PORN The BADDIES!!!!111? Check. Some guy/girl in it who happens to be the only reason you're watching this rubbish? Check. The lesson seems to be- when it doubt, make a tired old sex "comedy" about people no one cares anything about, in order to make some statement that everybody has already heard three thousand times before. That'll get your film made. It'll even attract some sitcom nobody in a bad wig!

This is your typical 30-ish "relationships are funny, aren't men pigs" type of film. It wouldn't even be worth my commenting on it except for its one saving grace: the topless sex scene of one Hudson Leick! If you don't know of her, her most famous role to date was that of Callisto on the TV series Xena. Well this is her in all of her topless glory! She's only in the movie for ten minutes or so, but since the movie sucks anyway, you might want to just fast-forward to the sex scene. Her breasts are beautiful. She is beautiful. There are other beautiful women in the movie (Leah Lail, Christine Taylor, Angie Everhart, and I GUESS I'll include Amy Yasbeck), but Hudson is the only one who gets nekked and I love her for it! Like I said, the movie blows except for seeing Hudson topless. Jason Alexander, Jonathan Silverman, old worn-out jokes about men being insecure about their penises and their sex lives in general. It's all just so lame. If you're a guy and you watch this for any other reason than Hudson Leick's boobs, I'd like to punch you in the stomach for it. Oh yeah, one last thing: that dude from "The Nanny" TV show is in it too. GAG If that doesn't show you it's a stinker, then I don't know what will!

This was a good movie. My wife and I watched it together. She kept quizzing me on the premise of the movie - even though we have a great marriage and I've never even though of cheating. She was smiling so I think it's no big deal.

As for the characters, you'll hate Jonathan Silverman's wife! The chick from the hockey game looks to have real breasts! What a novel idea in Hollywood! OK nudity - let's face it, that's why you're reading this, looking for the scoop on the skin. Not much from the main characters, though. You do see Amy Yasbek in a see through purple top. Not great but hey, better than nothing.

Worth a rent. It's funny.