Sex Is Comedy (2002)
Released: 2002 Genre: Comedy/Drama Running Time: 92 min. Director: Catherine Breillat Starring: Anne Parillaud, Roxane Mesquida, Ashley Wanninger, Gregoire Colin, Dominique Colladant, Bart Binnema, Yves Osmu, Elisabete Piecho
Sometimes dissecting the microcosm for the sake of the macrocosm works on a universal level and sometimes all it does is shed light on a microcosm. Such is the world of filmmaking. A film about a filmmaker is always interesting regardless of the filmmaker because it requires a constructed narrative relatively inconsequential of how that narrative be put together. It will talk about filmmaking but this will most likely be done superficially and that’s enough to sustain audience interest. What is not so easy to sell is a picture about self-indulgence of filmmaking. The reason being that unless the audience is an artist or a filmmaker they will look at this world presented as nothing more than a waste of time. This is not to say either side is right or wrong it is simply to indicate that there is not a lot to relate to or identify with on the part of the average Joe. Whether or not Catherine Brellait cared to do so is an entirely different story.
The film isn’t even about the making of an entire film it is about getting to a "nude/sex scene& quot;. I’m sure it read funny but there isn’t a whole lot that is humorous when watching the build up or the execution of said love scene. Perhaps it’s all in the service of a greater irony that the title serves as an oxymoron of sorts given that the supposed love scene ends in tears rather than laughter either way I didn’t laugh or cry as an audience member. But, I am not the measure of this film–bare that in mind. What I can say is that the film talked a lot about the making of a picture and the details that go into the look of a film but as far as delivering something particular it didn’t. The cinematography really didn’t say much, it was understated and for such a hot topic it really wasn’t engaging.
The Actress (Roxanne Mesquida ) could have been so much more given her dialogue, instead she was flat. The Actor ( Grégoire Colin) was interesting to watch (as he usually is) because at least this character had some texture. Even though he was nameless you had a sense of history, personality, duality, dimensionality, texture etc. I’m sure it wasn’t easy (or maybe it was…) to walk around naked and half naked with a prosthetic penis and horseplay in front of a false film crew and a real one: twice the audience twice the pressure. His performance was quite interesting and worth the 92 minutes. Jeanne (Anne Parillaud) gave mixed feelings, but, I’m sure that was the intention as the film was about the self-indulgence of filmmaking and who is more self indulgent than a director? A stunning woman who really knows how to used her beauty to be mother, maid, and tyrant when necessary–I really enjoyed her performance. The only thing I enjoyed more was the relationship between Jeanne and her Assistant Leo (Ashley Anninger). The chemistry was divine, natural, and the most multi-layered relationship in the entire film. Sometimes I think if the film had been cut differently it may have been a little funnier or would have capitalized on some of the greater moments better. So many talented people who were not used to full capacity I found Perhaps the lead actress having a striking similar appearance to Brellait is indicative that this film about self-indulgent filmmaking was nothing more than self-indulgent; it was never destined to be more than that? I can’t be sure and I’m almost certain no one will ever tell…after all I wouldn’t.
I really believe this film would have been a great novel because getting in tune with the private thoughts of all the characters would have made it far more heart warming and hilarious. Not amust see but recommended nonetheless.