Better Than Sex

This film is simple in plot line---the growth from a one-night stand of a relationship that is expected to end as one party has to leave in a few days---but manages to build the characters with a mixture of soliloquy, quick comment from friends, reaction to fast sexual progression, and so on. It gives the feeling that it was once a stage play, but does not suffer for this. It has a few amusing weird bits, like the taxi driver. It is no blockbuster, but it is well-acted, well photographed, well scripted, has an interesting ending, and is generally warming, while succeeding admirably in making you see the characters without seeing their appearance.

"Better Than Sex" is yet another mostly bedroom two-hander on a relationship, like "About Last Night" and "Breaking Up," but is quite charmingly done in a frank and funny tone.

With a gimmick of a time-bound, three-day relationship setting the limits, the talking to the camera by the two lovers and their friends works as a way to show what's going through their heads. This technique is especially useful when dealing with the visual problem foreign movies have grappled with but American movies have avoided since "Klute" (especially "Pretty Woman"): how to show when sex changes with feelings.

There is a touch of magic realism with a bemused cab driver, but she also could be their whimsical thoughts.

The Australian actors are not of the pencil-thin/gym worked-out American variety, but are lustily and cheerily robust as we see quite a bit of them.

What was confusing was the order their days together are presented -- did my projectionist mix up the reels or was the print I saw mixed up? At one point one character says "We've already had our first fight," which hadn't happened yet, and he leaves with a bag he hadn't brought over. But then later both the fight and the bag appear. I also got confused as to what was which with an indication of "The Third Day" vs. "The Last Day." There's a possibility it was shown out of order for emotional effect, but then I think the changed red sheets didn't appear at the end.

The Aussie pop songs are nice, but incidental and hardly noticeable.

(originally written 11/17/2001)

I get so tired seeing heroin thin, twenty-somethings in romantic comedies, especially ones with lots of nudity. This one has the luminous Susie Porter reclining, pacing and prancing around nude, with the most fantastic confidence and comfort with her body. She doesn't have the perfect body mind you, but the type that I love more than a Hagen-Daz milkshake. She's got some meat on her bones, but she isn't fat. She is voluptuous, curvaceous, with the sweetest milky white, freckled skin. Her smile can take your breath away, and her eyes seem like they can see every lie you've ever told, and you want her to know. She's a WOMAN, a real woman, not some kid trying to be a woman. Most times with *women* you get lots of trying to be younger, but Susie LIVES in her body, her soul is older, wiser and more mature. She knows how to treat a man too. She lets a guy be a guy without sacrificing her will or self-esteem. Oh, I'm supposed to review this movie... OK...

Basically in this excellent flick you are watching two adults fall in love. Both are mature and confident, but they're leery of jumping into a relationship, but it never lingers on past baggage, and nobody needs to "get free" of some obstacle before they can continue. I've found that women rarely say they're ready for love, or looking for love, but if it presents itself to them they won't chase it off. Basically a woman is never NOT ready to fall in love, and this movie does a great job of showing men how a woman who isn't even THINKING about falling in love, can. It also illustrates luxuriously how head games, lies and bullsh*t are NOT the way to enjoy falling in love. Most young people think that head games are the only way to get what you want, or how to protect your heart, which is toss-all. Here two people say what they mean and mean what they say, and what they don't say they don't say because they're not sure yet that they feel it.

Have you ever met someone and it just clicked and while it was clicking you spent a day or three in bed? This movie sumptuously wallows in that intoxicating experience. These two people devour each other sexually and while they do, passion blossoms and intimacy becomes more and more desirable. I can't remember a movie that so eloquently illustrates the difference between lust and passion, between sex and intimacy.

Buy this movie now, you will not regret it, but watch it with a lover because watching it while you're single will make you jones too much for the real thing and that could be depressing. View it with someone you love and it could re-kindle a little magic, it will at least get you laughing and getting aroused in the same room.

A movie about adults for adults that makes you feel like a kid.

The only bad thing I can say about this film is the fact that it took nearly four years for it to reach the US. The tag line pretty much sums it up -- what was intended as a one night stand turns into more than the participants expect. Sexy -- definitely (I may never look at wildlife documentaries quite the same way again); funny -- in many places hilarious, especially when examining the Mars/Venus aspect of burgeoning relationships (toilet seats, dressing time); and surprisingly sweet. The stars are charming, attractive and very real, and are ably supported by the rest of the cast, particularly the actress (whose name I now can't remember, my apologies!) who plays the cabbie who doubles as a relationship counselor.

There's a saying that life is what happens when you're busy making plans -- perhaps love is what can happen when you're busy having sex, if you let it. Well worth your time, and share it with a friend.

Since you will have already read the plot by now, let me just say this movie was a lot of fun! I rate it much higher than the other folks on imdb.com The taxi driver, the refrigerator scene, and the final airport scene all brought big smiles to my face. Not a movie for the kids - see it with a close friend.