noralee

(2013-05-22 13:01:15)

Frank and Funny Romantic Comedy

"Better Than Sex" is yet another mostly bedroom two-hander on arelationship, like "About Last Night" and "Breaking Up," but is quitecharmingly done in a frank and funny tone.With a gimmick of a time-bound, three-day relationship setting thelimits, the talking to the camera by the two lovers and their friendsworks as a way to show what's going through their heads. This techniqueis especially useful when dealing with the visual problem foreignmovies have grappled with but American movies have avoided since"Klute" (especially "Pretty Woman"): how to show when sex changes withfeelings.There is a touch of magic realism with a bemused cab driver, but shealso could be their whimsical thoughts.The Australian actors are not of the pencil-thin/gym worked-outAmerican variety, but are lustily and cheerily robust as we see quite abit 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 broughtover. But then later both the fight and the bag appear. I also gotconfused 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 foremotional effect, but then I think the changed red sheets didn't appearat the end.The Aussie pop songs are nice, but incidental and hardly noticeable.(originally written 11/17/2001)

(2013-05-22 10:57:22)

"Unexpectedly overwhelming!"

I watched this movie for the first time last night. The idea seemed cool, and although I thought it would be another run-of-the-mill low-budget romance flick, it turned out to be one of the best "relationship" movies I've ever seen. It is honest and true (from a male AND a female perspective), with a dash of individual humor. AWESOME!!Plus, what an excellent acting job by David Wenham, the guy who plays Faramir (LOTR)!

(2013-05-22 08:29:41)

Sexy, stylish and smart....a must see for anyone in love or wanting to be in love

This review is from: Better than Sex (DVD) A great little film beautifully acted with wonderful hip music and quality characters...I absolutely loved it! It is a sexy film, but tastefully done never vulgar or rude and it has a lot to say about relationships.....a must see film for anyone in love or wanting to understand the way males and females respond to one another.

(2013-05-22 02:54:48)

well done

This review is from: Better than Sex (DVD) I am loving the independent films. This one's a gem. The acting and directing was well done. The story draws you in.

(2013-05-21 07:08:10)

Well done!

Thanx for the swift delivery! The DVD is top quality and I'll be happy to be your customer again! All the best!

(2013-05-21 01:08:38)

Almost Better Than Sex

I had high expectations of this movie as I've heard it praised from several friends. Yes, the main draw for me was Mr. Wenham - and I was NOT disappointed. This movie is funny, sexy and just pretty wonderful. Is it better than sex? Maybe... but if it's not, it's pretty darned close!

Andy Goris

(2013-05-20 08:44:15)

Fun movie

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

Richard

(2013-05-19 21:12:23)

Great, very funny, very sexy - possibly better than sex

I've just returned home from seeing the movie and well I cannot disagreewith the previous few comments - it is very good.Being an Ozzie I enjoyed David Wenham's performances on the TV seriesSeachange for instance but always found him a bit uncertain in hischaracter- a point to which many women apparently disagree. I preferred hisscabrousperformances in Cosi and Boys for instance. But this film has expanded myappreciation of David - here he excels himself in a role Seachange fanswillrecognise, as a similar laid back very witty guy. Suzie Porter is a bubbleof energy.The two characters do have a chemistry and the sex scenes are veryrealisticwithout being revealing. They also have the usual neuroses - I loved theinitial thoughts when they were in the taxi, at first daring themselves tostart something and wondering if the other person was interested and thenstarting to worry about what they could be getting themselves into - allinthe space of a minute without a word exchanged between themI also loved the taxi driver - a very wise woman - who guides Josh throughthe stages of his developing relationship - telling him what she (Cin) isfeeling and encouraging him to reveal his thoughts - almost as if she wasaspider on the wall!My slight disagreeances were Josh's departure outside the comforts ofCin'splace to think etc (it jarred) and sometimes the music was overpoweringbutthese are small quibbles.Anyway highly recommended!

RichHartford

(2013-05-18 22:25:57)

Better Than Sex

This movie shows that love really conquers all in life.People may tryto feel that they are only sexually attracted to one another but theylater on realize that this attraction is much more emotional ratherthan physical.Also,it also make us realize that people may find someonenot only who can make them happy in bed but also in real life. Thismovie also tells us how relationships are whether they are a one-nightstand or a serious one.It makes us realize the difference between thetwo and how two people fall for one another upon meeting each other atnight.With regards to acting,Susie Porter did a very good job and sodid her partner.Also,the film was very realistic in its presentation.

(2013-05-18 14:08:01)

Very disappointed.....

I was looking for a sexy date night romantic movie, but this was NOT it. More like your everyday porn without the annoying music and messy face shots. Then it kept stopping so the main characters could talk about what we just saw. Should be titled "Just Sex"

mr.latteralisday

(2013-05-18 11:31:02)

Better than Masturbation....

True, this movie did make you feel as though you'd had indulged inreading the forbidden secrets of the opposite sex via some skeezymag ( ieCosmo / Maxim ), but it was refreshingly honest, andgrotesquely intimate. I like how up close and personal the cameragets..... celebrating every glorious flaw.The cheezy backdrops during the mock interviews and thedisappointing use of the taxi driver were minuses, but the accurateand equal argumental voices given to both the male and femalewas a crisp break from the "sex and the city" type shows out therethat propagate the weak and ugly male and the insecure andscheming female stereotype.Recommended.

HotPants13

(2013-05-18 03:45:25)

A delightful Australian comedy!

I really enjoyed this movie, it was very funny, sexy and the two leads(David Wenham and Susie Porter) were fantastic.I never for one second lost interest in this movie, there's alwayssomethinggoing on, usually something funny. The supporting cast were good,especiallyKris McQuade the taxi driver. The direction and script were really good,themusic is very enjoyable, especially the music for the bath scene. Overall Ithink this is a great movie, and should be seen by all. 10/10 fromme.

(2013-05-17 00:27:03)

Interesting!

This is definitely NOT your typical romantic comedy, which is perhaps a very good starting point. The story-line is not very original: two people meet with the intent of having casual sex and end up finding themselves more involved in some sort of relationship than they predicted (or wanted to). The screen-play is also not particularly original or interesting. Still, the movie works very well, in large part, I think, thanks to the two main characters. David Wenham and Susie Porter are just perfect in their roles and they play very very well their parts. The so-called "chemistry" between them works remarkably well, which is essential, because 90% of the screen time is taken by them and only them. I also really liked the fact that none of the two actors are particularly beautiful or in any sense "super" (nor does the director try to make them especially so. Many close-ups are quite ruthless in showing lines and wrinkles). This makes the whole story so much more real and interesting. The minor characters (friends of his or hers) that also sometimes appear to "comment" on the craziness that is happening to their friends are also well played. Overall, not a masterpiece but a very nice and well done romantic sexy comedy!

(2013-05-16 03:00:38)

Slow watching

This review is from: Better than Sex (DVD) It is a slow watching movie. Very interesting and artistic. I will probably not watch it again. Not recommended for the simple minded.

itamarscomix

(2013-05-16 00:19:27)

Relies too heavily on clichГѓВ©s

This Australian rom-com deserves some credit for portraying arelationship in a sincere, mature manner, not idealizing sex nordemonizing it; the story itself is surprisingly realistic and very easyto relate to. Also commendable is the fact that Jonathan Teplitzky isquite able at writing both woman's and man's dialog, equally andrealistically.Teplitzky is an able writer, but he made far too many mistakes in themovie to make it a good one. The taxi driver's character is a completemisstep, that comes off pretentious and clumsy, the music isirritating, and the voice-over telling us what the characters thinkcomes up in arbitrary moments and leaves us confused as to what thecharacters thought and what they actually said. The dialog is realisticmost of the time but the delivery - especially Susie Porter's - isoften flat and lacking in emotion, which is especially painful when shedelivers lines like "I want sex. I love sex" or "I love you" (whilegetting it from behind, no less) completely deadpan. It doesn't helpthat the two leads - while they're by no means bad actors - have noon-screen chemistry whatsoever and their emotions are never believable.Most jarring of all are the random interview segments, on cheap genericbackdrops, that seem like a cheap rip-off of When Harry Met Sally andAnnie Hall, and serve no purpose. The people being interviewed aren'tinteresting, and they don't make any comment of interest aboutrelationships and sex; instead these segments rely on the oldestrelationship clichГѓВ©s in the book - Men leave the toilet seat up? Womentake a long time to get dressed? Men like getting oral sex? Really?That's the big problem with the movie - Teplitzky wanted to make arelationship movie about experiences we can all relate to, but he madeit so generic that he forgot to add anything of his own.

(2013-05-15 20:41:52)

A truly pleasant surprise!

This review is from: Better than Sex (DVD) I actually sought out this movie because I wanted to see the work of one of the supporting actors (Girl F or #4 - I forget which), and was really surprised by the quality and depth of the film. Make no mistake, it is quite sexy and titillating, but the sexual aspects were handled with an honesty that made them all the more stimulating. The two primary actors are attractive, to be sure, but not "model pretty". Along with the dynamite bodies, you also see the freckles, hairs & moles that "normal" folks have. The honesty extended beyond the casting, thankfully. The sex in the film logically emerged from the budding passion that evolved from the initial lust. The script showed us characters that reacted honestly to situations that they didn't really understand; we watched as they sought to cope with each development. And you know, it was nice to view a well done film that ended on a positive note, that acknowledged that love - even in its earliest stages - is better than (just) sex.

jeffreytick

(2013-05-14 10:09:36)

Better Than Sex – You've got to envy them!

I vacillated between giving "Better Than Sex" a 6 or 7 star rating forquite some time, but in the end it really is a better film than just "alittle" above average. The movie - a study and portrayal of two peopleengaging in sex with a "light-hearted" attitude is compelling,realistic, entertaining, and completely delightful.I know I'm not supposed to refer to another voter's comments, but Itotally agree with someone who wrote that they saw this film againimmediately after their first viewing. It really is that watchable.Shot in Australia, its unpretentious and unassuming treatment of sexualobsession is light years away from other (particularly American) filmswith a similar theme , such as "9 ½ weeks". There's no gloss or "spitand shine" polish here. No Kim-Bassinger- siren nor Mickey Rourkebravado with sweat dripping off the main characters as though they werescrewing for the Olympics. There are just two horny buggers – normalpeople going through the motions of God's gift to the living, (coupledwith emotional entanglement).And hey, what could be better than that?

(2013-05-13 22:25:49)

I love this movie!

I didn't come across this movie until it had been out a few years, but I absolutely loved it. It is set almost entirely in the loft of Cin, the female lead. Cin meets the male lead, Josh, at a party and shares a cab with him. They then have a one night stand that lasts for three days. These two characters are so likable and cute together that the movie doesn't need much of anything else. The movie occasionally cuts to comments about Cin and Josh, made by their friends, that help us to understand a little about their love histories. There is one scene with one of Cin's friends that shows she has some insecurity. Being a virtual stranger, Josh doesn't understand Cin's behavior and leaves (temporarily). The chemistry of the actors makes the [love] scenes really hot and the dialog is great, too. I recommend this movie for any adult.

(2013-05-09 00:00:45)

Entertaining

This review is from: Better than Sex (DVD) Pretty good as women-friendly porn, which is why I bought it. Engrossing story, attractive actors, nothing too gross. Could maybe have a little more sex.

itamarscomix

(2013-05-08 05:14:45)

Relies too heavily on clichГѓВ©s

This Australian rom-com deserves some credit for portraying arelationship in a sincere, mature manner, not idealizing sex nordemonizing it; the story itself is surprisingly realistic and very easyto relate to. Also commendable is the fact that. Jonathan Teplitzky isquite able at writing both woman's and man's dialog, equally andrealistically.Teplitzky is an able writer, but he made far too many mistakes in themovie to make it a good one. The taxi driver's character is a completemisstep, that comes off pretentious and clumsy, the music isirritating, and the voice-over telling us what the characters thinkcomes up in arbitrary moments and leaves us confused as to what thecharacters thought and what they actually said. The dialog is realisticmost of the time but the delivery - especially Susie Porter's - isoften flat and lacking in emotion, which is especially painful when shedelivers lines like "I want sex. I love sex" or "I love you" (whilegetting it from behind, no less) completely deadpan. It doesn't helpthat the two leads - while they're by no means bad actors - have noon-screen chemistry whatsoever and their emotions are never believable.Most jarring of all are the random interview segments, on cheap genericbackdrops, that seem like a cheap rip-off of When Harry Met Sally andAnnie Hall, and serve no purpose. The people being interviewed aren'tinteresting, and they don't make any comment of interest aboutrelationships and sex; instead these segments rely on the oldestrelationship clichГѓВ©s in the book - Men leave the toilet seat up? Womentake a long time to get dressed? Men like getting oral sex? Really?That's the big problem with the movie - Teplitzky wanted to make arelationship movie about experiences we can all relate to, but hedidn't really have anything of his own to add.