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.

HAPPY TEXAS

Quirky laugh-fest featuring William H. Macy, Stephen Zahn and Jeremy Northam.

How do escaped convicts end up entangled in a small town children's beauty pageant? You have to watch the film to get the full story, and it's truly worth it.

(More indepth review to come...Please check back.)

Happy Texas' imdb site.

TRANSAMERICA

Poignant and moving film about a pre-operative transgendered woman and her struggle to connect with the son she never knew she'd fathered.

This movie is intelligent, genuine, and surprisingly uplifting.

(More indepth review to follow...Please check back.)

Transamerica's imdb site.

KINKY BOOTS

While not a kinky movie in the strictest sense, Kinky Boots is likely to appeal to all of us who enjoy seeing the underdog triumph over adversity and small-mindedness.

When Charlie Price (Australian actor, Joel Edgerton) inherits the family shoe factory upon his father’s death, he’s dismayed to learn that the business is about to go under. Charlie himself is ambiguous about the factory that was his father’s passion, but he sure doesn’t want to have to tell all those loyal employees, many he has known all his life, that they are about to be unemployed.

Prospects for a happy solution to this unfortunate situation seem dim.

Enter Lola.

Lola (talented Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a drag queen, and a cabaret singer, who has a chip on his shoulders, and an awful big complaint. His feet, and the lack of good fetish boots available for drag queens in general.

Between Lola, and love interest, Lauren (charming Sarah-Jane Potts) they manage to convince Charlie that the only way to keep the factory alive is to use it to produce fetish boots for men.

Charlie is reluctant, but probably not as reluctant as the employees he must convince to trust and support him on this venture. Of course, jobs are hard to find so, despite their natural inclination to shun such a radical concept, the employees agree and the plan is set in motion.

What follows is a poignant, charming adventure as this disparate group of desperate individuals seeks to make the most of a difficult transition. Everyone must confront their prejudices, and learn tolerance and empathy if the enterprise is to succeed.

Although this is, in essence, a comedy, it’s very poignant and real; the message of tolerance for others is only surpassed by its equally powerful message of tolerance for oneself.

Based on a true story, this film from the UK brings to mind such wonderful movies as The Full Monty and Calendar Girls. The humour is pure wit, and the characters are people you can give your heart to.

You don’t have to be kinky to enjoy this film you just have to be human!

Kinky Boots IMDB site.

Better Than Chocolate

A sweet and seductive romance set against the weightier themes of homophobia and family pressure.

Better than Chocolate is set in Vancouver and mirrors the struggles of Vancouver's famous Little Sisters book store as it fought Canada Customs censorship (over and over again) while it tells a sweet love story that makes you cheer for the underdogs.

Young lesbians Kim and Maggie fall for each other on sight but the timing couldn't be worse. Kim is a rebellious drifter and Maggie is afraid to come out to her family who are now descending on her in a moment of crisis.

Through the struggles brought on by friendship and family loyalty, they both have to grow and face their demons; as do we all.

While this is a romantic comedy in essence, it doesn't shy away from tugging hard at the viewer's conscience. The themes are serious and the characters definitely struggle with identity and small-minded bigotry. They may be quirky and often times unaware of their own struggle, but they're portrayed honestly and lovingly by a stellar cast.

Visually this is a stunning movie. The cinematography, the poignant imagery, the musical score, all blend with the evocative beauty of the main characters to create a Canadian film that is bold and sexy and profound.

I own my own copy because it's the kind of movie I delight in watching over and over again.


BTC's IMDB Site.