VIDEO CAPSULE: The Opposite of Sex (8/10)

[JoBlo]

The Opposite of Sex (1998)

Shit. I've had this video sitting in my room for over a year now, but I just couldn't get myself to check it out until now (just felt like it would be boring). Boy, am I glad I did tonite.

This film was the directorial debut of Don Roos (the dude who write/directed BOUNCE) and what a debut it is. I really liked this movie. I liked the way it was written. I liked all of its unique and interesting characters. And yes, I even liked the self-referential narrating thingie, which seemed like a gimmick at first, but ultimately, enjoyable. The story was VERY original, and despite the lead character being a TOTAL BEEYATCH (she'll even admit to that!), most of the other characters were sympathetic, believable and interesting to watch.

There's always a VERY fine line between arty pretension and a great movie, and with this film, I chose to side with the latter.

This film also reminded me a little bit of FLIRTING WITH DISASTER. My guess is that anyone who enjoyed that flick, will likely enjoy this one. But both films are DEFINITELY NOT for everyone. Black comedies rarely are.

PS: And I couldn't believe my eyes but there was Lisa Kudrow playing an "actual character" different than the one she's played in every single one of her movies and FRIENDS! Wow. Good for you, girl! You can act!

Stars Christina Ricci, Martin Donovan, Lisa Kudrow, Ivan Sergei and Lyle Lovett

[SirReel]

Christina Ricci irritates the hell outta me, therefore with her as the leading character - and narrator - I had a VERY hard time enjoying this film. Admittedly I did see it quite some time ago, so I'm unable to pin-point significant bones of contention, I only distinctly remember not liking nor recommending this movie. I just don't get Christina Ricci's popularity at all.

[Brock Landers]

I also enjoyed this film more than I disliked it...it was not great, but it had some redeeming qualities. Lyle Lovette kinda bothered me throughout and Ricci's boyfriend in the flick, the white black-guy wannabe, really annoyed me and reminded me of the horrendous film "Whiteboyz"...in fact, I think he is in it too...

The best thing about the film was the dialogue...none of the characters really standout, but they each have some choice lines to serve...

(7/10)

[JoBlo]

<moderator bump>

[Mike]

I saw this movie when it first came out so it's been awhile but I remember I really enjoyed it. I love dark comedies and this was a good one. Christina Ricci and the rest of the cast did a good job. A fun and funny movie. I think I should check it out again soon.

Grade: 7.5/10

[7_Words]

I'd have to agree with you Joblo, this was a great movie. I was very impressed.

7 words: Christina Ricci is one damn hot chick /ubb/smile.gif

[Sad man]

This movie was great, I agree 100% with JoBlo.

8/10.

[Mike]

A topic started in the "General Movie Talk" forum about this movie last week reminded me of it and got me interested in seeing it again. I thought maybe with one more viewing my rating would change to an 8/10 (B+). So then on Friday night before going to the movies, a friend of mine and I went to the video store to rent something to watch afterwards. I suggested The Opposite Of Sex, since he hadn't seen it and I thought he might enjoy it. He said he didn't care, so we rented it. I still enjoyed it, and we both laughed quite a bit. But I still am going to stick with my 7/10 (B) rating. It's a really good movie, but not quite an 8/10 (B+). It's not too far from it though.


This movie has so many great, funny quotes though. Here's some of them:


Dedee: My mother was the kind of mother who always said she was her daughter's best friend. Whenever she did, I thought, "Great, not only do I have a shitty mother, but my best friend's a loser bitch."


Dedee: I don't have a heart of gold and I don't grow one later, OK? But relax. There's other people a lot nicer coming up -- we call them losers.


Lucia: You're probably a blessing in disguise. Fucking good disguise.


Randy: I'm just askin' that you stand by your man, like I'm standin' next to you! You know, a lot of guys, man, they woulda said that, "Shucks, man, she took up with them homosexuals. You know, she turned her back on righteousness."
Dedee: Oh, yeah, but blowing you in the backseat of your car every day after band, that was a stairway to heaven, right?


Girl Student: This is America, and we're Christians here -- aside from a few Jewish people who were just born that way -- and I can tell you one thing: Jesus Christ and his apostles were certainly not into "man-on-man action," which is how they describe it on their porno videos, which, I am proud to say, Blockbuster does not carry. Um, I work there and it's very family...
[pause]
Girl Student: Plus, that religion John Travolta belongs to.


Dedee Truitt: Lucia and Carl had their baby. You can imagine the pick of that litter. It was the kind of kid that if you played with it too much after a feeding, you threw up.


Lucia: You've got a death wish. That's so selfish. I have one too, but I direct it toward others.


[Why sex is the opposite of what she wants.]
Dedee: Sex always ends in kids or disease or like, you know, relationships.


Matt Mateo: I'm bisexual.
Lucia: Puh-lease! I went to a bar mitzvah once. That doesn't make me Jewish.


Dedee Truitt: I know in movies you kind of feel sorry for girls like this, but in real life, you wouldn't be sitting next to her either.


Dedee Truitt: Les was a real asshole. To get cancer of the ass was, like, poetic. Almost as good as cancer of the dick, if they have that. [/B][/QUOTE]

[Sad man]

Originally posted by Mike
A topic started in the "General Movie Talk" forum about this movie last week reminded me of it and got me interested in seeing it again.

That was me! ;)