SHORTBUS

Shortbus is not a movie for the weak at heart or the narrow-minded. It is, however, a movie for those of us who embrace alternative lifestyles, and sexuality as a complex and wondrous thing.

Shortbus is explicitly sexual, and very real, set against a surreal backdrop of New York that adds visually to the film in so many ways. I have yet to find a mainstream American film that attempts so directly to open the public’s eyes to the sex-positive culture.

Sure, the main character (Vancouver media personality, Sook-Yin Lee) is a sex therapist (“I prefer the term couples counsellor…”) who, although enjoying a rather uninhibited sexual relationship with her husband, has never had an orgasm.

Sure, the other main characters - a gay couple seeking an open relationship and a pro-domme who only wants to create art - are not exactly living examples of well-balanced, sexually fulfilled adults.

Sure, there is blatant desperation in the way they seek to achieve their individual goals.

However, the message Shortbus is hoping to make, is that there’s a place for everyone in this world, no matter how offbeat, or damaged we may be, if we can just stop trying so hard to reach for it. Everyone has a right, and the ability, to seek human comfort and sexual satisfaction…but success only comes - no pun intended - when we slow down and find peace within ourselves.

It’s an important message for those of us hoping to get the most of this new sexual revolution. As Sook-Yin’s character, Sofia, points outs, it isn’t something someone can give us, it’s something we have to claim for ourselves.

Shortbus is both beautiful and agonizing to watch. The psyches are as bare as the bodies in this film, and just as contorted as they struggle to reach satisfaction. These awkward moments make the film’s scenes of human compassion and compersion all the more sublime to watch.

Sook-Yin Lee, is, in turns, lovely, funny and horrible to watch, as she labours to reach what she is beginning to think is, at best a mythical thing, and at worst, a conspiracy to make women feel inadequate.

Jay Brannan is especially engaging as Ceth; his sweet charismatic face and musical talent strike a lovely graceful note in this movie. His performance left me hungry for more of him. He’s a sweet piece of fag candy, that boy!

The infamous Justin Bond, playing himself, is the proprietor for this “salon for the gifted and challenged” and his wisecracking, quirky humour is a nice sub-note to the whole movie. I especially love his bittersweet performance of the song In The End that underscores the climax of the movie.

In fact the music through-out the film is just fantastic. But after all, the director of Shortbus is John Cameron Mitchell (of Hedwig fame) so I expected no less.

Of course, many people won’t grasp the concepts Shortbus seems to be making, but for those of us who do, it’s a celebration of sex as a healing force, and an orgy of delight for the eyes and the ears.

Gather your favourite sexy friends together, with your favourite beverages, and rent Shortbus. It’s a juicy good time, and deserves to be shared.

Reviewed: April 2008

Shortbus' IMDB site.