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The Opposite of Sex (1998) More at IMDbPro »

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169 reviews in total

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32 out of 40 people found the following review useful:
One of the best films in years, 20 October 2000

Author: William Rodawalt from Bloomington, IN

I absolutely love this film. Christina Ricci is perfectly cast and gives a great performance as a 16 year old who tries to manipulate and bully all of the other characters into bowing to her sick and twisted view of the world. While Ricci's character is not immediately likable she is somehow compelling and is effecting in driving the film. Ricci's character does and says hateful things throughout the movie but the film is successful in maintaining it's own view on these topics without squelching her characters voice. Hopefully what we see through her character is that despite the hateful things people do, there are real human beings behind these actions. I ended up liking the character for her survive at any cost mentality and her resolve.

The movie is hilariously funny and at times touching. Lisa Kudro turns in another great performance as a lonely single girl who is pining for the affections of Ricci's gay half brother. The humor is not of the joke a minute or slapstick variety but grows out of the situations and relationships between compelling characters.

The writing and directing are also superb. I especially liked scenes where the director showed how easily we can be manipulated by mood and music as well as the points that we show in a character's life. Ricci's narration is biting, wicked, clever, bitchy and witty. I can see however, how one could be offended and turned off by it. But the narration is not for shock effect but rather to frame the main character.

I wouldn't change a frame or a line in this film. It's funny, intelligent and warm in a strange sort of way. A definite must see.

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18 out of 20 people found the following review useful:
Steps on plenty of toes, 12 September 2004
Author: TheatreX from Louisville, KY

Hey now, I like movies that don't leave much alone, as far as dragging things through the muck and all. This movie steps, no, STOMPS on plenty of toes along the way and doesn't give a backward glance or ask forgiveness. Dede Truitt (Ricci) is a foul mouth sixteen year old slut from Louisiana who (after putting a cigarette out on her stepfather's grave at the funeral) goes up to Indiana to seek "refuge" with her half-brother,Bill, who happens to be gay, and while she's there, she seduces his lover, Matt, and then tells him she's pregnant. To even begin to describe the complicated mess afterward is pretty difficult in the short amount of space allotted, but Dede and now "bi-sexual" Matt flee to LA and encounter the "real" father from Louisiana whom Dede called to come there, and so on and so on. Kind of a cross country (and out of country) romp, of sorts. Anyway, Lyle Lovett plays a lovesick sheriff, Lisa Kudrow of "Friends" plays Bill's deceased lover's sister, and they're both decent roles. Ricci of course takes the cake as Dede, with her running commentary on all that's going on playing throughout many of the scenes. To think that she was Wednesday in "The Addams Family" and was in "Casper"? This role makes her part in "Pecker" (a John Waters movie, for chrissakes) look quite wholesome. Overall this was a pretty decent flick, doesn't pull too many punches, but I'm really not sure I'd watch it again. 6 out of 10.

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24 out of 32 people found the following review useful:
Compelling, 3 October 2004
Author: Sam Riley from UK

The Opposite Of Sex – 1998

The Opposite Of Sex stars two of my favourite actress' – Lisa Kudrow and Christina Ricci. Needless to say, they were my main motivations for seeing this film. Expecting a fairly average film you might say I was a little shocked when this turned out to be a well scripted, well acted, suitably gritty and compelling drama. The Opposite of Sex is narrated by the appropriately cynical lead character, Dede Truitt (Christina Ricci). The narration is highly amusing and witty and provides the audience with a release during tense and heavily themed situations. Dede Truitt basically walks into her half brothers life (Martin Donovan) and causes a stir among his sister in-law (Lisa Kudrow) by stealing his boyfriend who was originally thought to be gay and now decides he is bisexual. The whole film is constantly asking questions about Sex and what it has done to humanity. It works on two levels, one being that it has heavy themes and can be coarse at times. However Lisa Kudrow offers comic relief playing a straight square teacher who disapproves of everything and everyone in life especially sex. That is until she finds Sex on her doorstep. The Opposite of Sex is a brilliant film, when Christina Ricci was in her prime. It deserved much more praise than it got which is such as shame. 9/10

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8 out of 8 people found the following review useful:
Ground Breaking? Well... yeah., 31 December 2002

Author: Brad Clarke (bradjclarke84@hotmail.com) from Sydney, Australia

The Opposite of Sex does what Don Roos set it out to do. It brings the subject of homosexuality in all its forms to light in a hard hitting, funny in your face joy ride - but yet it's not a 'gay movie'. Ricci is wonderful as Dedee, our young 'tour guide' to this strange journey. Through her eyes we see her world of lies, deception and confusion. At times you might not like her, but thats what is great about the movie, it pulls you in. If your into witty one liners, a fast story line and terrific acting (two thumbs up to Lisa Kudrow!)than this movie is for you. After a movie that makes you think about other peoples lifestyles and situations? give it a try. As an eighteen year old, I recommend this movie for older teens and up and give it a 8/10.

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10 out of 13 people found the following review useful:
An Intelligent Black Comedy, 8 August 2000
Author: MisterWhiplash from United States

This film has laughs, but they are not all clumped in together. Which is good, because with a story like this, it is neccesary to have comedy in just the right spots. The film shows us Deede (played to perfection by hot Christina Ricci), a 16 year old going on 17 who is having a baby soon, but the results of the next 9 months will surprise everyone (which includes a cast of Martin Donovan, Lisa Kudrow, Johnny Galecki, Lyle Lovett and Ivan Serguei). A good idea becomes a close to very good film by vhaving a good lay out of a story and good sarcastic humor to match. One of the better films of 1998. A-

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7 out of 9 people found the following review useful:
Intelligent and thoughtful, 20 November 1998
Author: Boyo-2

I avoided seeing this movie for a long time but finally gave in last week. It was very funny, touching and insightful. It did occur to me that Lyle Lovett could use an acting lesson or two, and that Ivan Sergei is way too good looking; its borderline annoying. Martin Donovan and Kudrow make the movie; their characters were completely believable. Last but certainly not least is the best young American actress, Christina Ricci. She really makes every part she plays her own. I suggest the Christian Youth or whoever they are stay away; everyone in this movie has too many human qualities for you to tolerate.

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4 out of 4 people found the following review useful:
Great black comedy, 4 January 2004

Author: keanu_olivier from England

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

*WARNING* Spoilers ... 16 year old trailer trash DeeDee stubs a cigarette out on her stepfather's grave and sets off to find her half brother Bill, who she calls "a real life homo". When she finds him, his boyfriend has just died of AIDS and left Bill a large sum of money. She seduces Bill's stupid new boyfriend Matt, steals the money and the boy and takes off to LA.

Ricci looks like she is having a lot of fun playing this character and it makes the movie great fun to watch. You can tell when watching this movie that everyone involved loved making it. All the performances are superb and the director Don Roos seems to know how much fun everyone is having. He makes the perfect black comedy. Such relentless vicious bitchiness can be hard to take when you have to sit through 2 hours of it. At times this movie is difficult, but all that proves is how good the performance and the direction is. (8/10)

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3 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
It's just so good., 1 August 2006

Author: ogreintheovaloffice from Ireland

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

You may think I'm some hysterical fan who just saw the movie and picked 10/10 since I couldn't be bothered evaluating the film first but that is not the case. I have tried to find fault with this film but they're really isn't much to go on. All in all the film is perfect; the elevator music-type score is perfect, the acting unnaturally good and the plot, though at times complicated, very smart and always interesting.

16 year old Dedee Truit (Christina Ricci) leaves her her hometown of Louisina after her step-father dies to live with her gay half-brother, Bill (Martin Donavan). Whilst there, she convinces his live-in boyfriend Matt (Ivan Sergei) that he's straight. The two run away together along with 10,000 and in turn set of a chain of events that Bill could certainly do without.

Don't get me wrong, this is only stage one of the plot and it all develops hilariously thanks to Don Roo's brilliant script. Of course that wouldn't mean much if the acting wasn't worth it's material, but as mentioned before, it most certainly is. Considered by many as Ricci's adult breakout role, it's here that the then 19 year old shows us what she's made of. Her monotone voice is perfect for the characters dead-pan narration whilst the scene in which she's giving birth is, though a bit hard to watch, always rewarding during every sitting.

Kudrow as a stick-up-her-ass spoilsport scores some serious points too. After "Romy and Michelle" and "Friends" it's nice to know that she can reach a little deeper and when she gets a genuinely happy ending, you can't help but feel touched. The rest of the cast are excellent too and all deserve praises.

So if you look at a trailer for this or something and think it's just some slick, sleazy sex-fest, I urge you to reconsider. Chances are, you won't regret it.

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2 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
Ricci the vixen-rock on, 22 July 2006

Author: Snoopymichele from CT

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Christina Ricci showed audiences that she had indeed arrived into adulthood. In this inspired performance of a spoiled brat who is hell-bent on ruining the lives of everyone in her wake, Ricci tears up the screen.

The hugely underrated Martin Donovan plays her half brother, who finds himself alone after she seduces his young lover (Ivan Sergei doing a great job as the clueless Matt). Lisa Kudrow and Lyle Lovett give solid supporting performances, and Johnny Galecki-so sweet on Roseanne-gives an excellent against-type performance.

Dede's not bad-she's just misunderstood, or else that what she tries to convince the audience. She's a total witch, but Ricci is so likable and actress, it's hard to get mad at Dede. She's sympathetic because she's so young and confused. She's an angry young woman, and she is selfish to boot-but she's not evil.

The script is well-written, the direction right-on, and the film moves between comedy and drama with ease. It's a real joy, and deserves to find a bigger audience.

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3 out of 4 people found the following review useful:
, 16 August 1998
Author: delouz from Sydney, Australia

In the first 5 minutes I'd decided I was gonna love this film, Ricci seemed on top form giving a cool monologue and coming across as the Drew Barrymore for the (late) 90's... but 20 minutes in and everything goes to pot... she becomes a pain in the ass, Kudrow can't take such a heavy role (not that it's a *heavy* role, just that she's *so* lightweight.) and you just end up not really giving a toss about any of them. Galecki (David from Roseanne) is over the top camp and looks more like he's starring in a Carry On movie than anything else. Ricci does show real promise though.. she could be *excellent* if just cast in the right thing by a decent director.

Best bit has to be the line Ricci delivers to the audience just after the Bill & Matt kiss.

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