IMDb > Speaking of Sex (2001) > IMDb user comments

IMDb user comments for
Speaking of Sex (2001) More at IMDbPro »

Filter: Hide Spoilers:
Page 1 of 2:[1] [2] [Next]
Index 19 comments in total 

10 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-
surprisingly good, 4 April 2003
8/10
Author: wencer

What's the deal with James Spader? Why does he always end up playing the incompetent boob with weird sexual fetishes?

This superbly cast film is well-written and well-directed. The thing is, it doesn't really have any zingers, any defining moments. The talented James Spader (Crash) and Lara Flynn Boyle (The Practice) are two therapists that get emotionally involved with a troubled couple, the talented Melora Walters (Being John Malkovich) and a very down-to-earth Jay Mohr (SNL). Spader is particularly gifted through his mannerisms and uncomfortable demeanor, although Walters' performance as a simple and emotionally confused woman is equally amusing. As things between characters get complicated, the director does an excellent job of keeping the pacing going; the film never really loses momentum. The writing is based mostly on the situation, yet a couple of twists and subtleties really keep the viewer enguaged. Especially brilliant is Bill Murrary (Groundhog Day) who steals scenes from Phil LaMarr (MAD TV) and Catherine O'Hara (SCTV) with his exaggerated delivery. Furthermore, the director uses several manic cuts and tricks to keep the images fresh. The only real sore points stem from the fact that there isn't much TO the movie. It's hard to find an emotional connection with any one character, such that by the end, you're more interested in seeing what will happen as opposed to hoping for happy fates. Furthermore, the script's humour is mostly character-based; there aren't really any lines that bowl you over or stick in your head. But the dialogue is well-scripted and well-delivered. This movie isn't really a romantic comedy; but a piece of good entertainment for several demographics. It's got a Snatch feel with a Zoolander comedic touch. Great entertainment for an afternoon and a definite renter if you want to laugh a bit. James Spader forever.

Was the above comment useful to you?

6 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
surprisingly good, 11 July 2003
9/10
Author: bbbl67 from Ottawa, Canada

This movie was similar in many ways to a French sex farce. So I guess you'll have to call this an American sex farce. The script was well thought-out, though there were a few characters which didn't get enough air time.

James Spader played a neurotically geeky psychiatrist, which is a bit of a different character for him, as he usually plays sexual deviants. Good manic performances by Jay Mohr, Melora Walters, and Lara Flynn Boyle. Bill Murray and Catherine O'Hara also shown in their supporting roles. Phil Lamarr had a hilarious line, despite being only a cameo appearance.

There were several intermingled stories playing all at once. It was well done because if one story started to drag, they could switch to another story to keep the interest fresh. This is really light-hearted stuff, but it did have some very subtle comic moments in places that you might miss if you don't watch it more than a couple of times, so watch it at least a couple of times.

Was the above comment useful to you?

6 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
Friggin' High-sterical, 19 October 2001
9/10
Author: squinty4567 (squinty4567@yahoo.com) from Chicago, Illinois

This was the closing night of the 37th Chicago International Film Festival. The audience laughed all the way through. Get a van and bring everyone you know!

I loved how this movie poked holes in our prudishness. Even after 6 years of Bill n' Monica many of us are still not able to do what the title suggests.

It's funny funny funny. Not for kids, but funny.

McNaughton should get a Oscar Nom for keeping this movie funny and moving all the time!

Was the above comment useful to you?

2 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :-
actually pretty funny, 15 April 2005
7/10
Author: funkie_sparkels from Brisbane, Australia

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

yeah, sure it's very screwball. But people should just take SoS for what it is and laugh with it. I did, and very much enjoyed it. All the performances were good, I thought Lara Flynn Boyle, Bill Murray and Catherine O'Hara were excellent. But I can't believe no one has mentioned Megan Mullally's performance. Well, she is a favourite of mine, so I'll admit a bias there, but she was good, incredibly sexy. I thought she fitted the role really well and added the little something extra this movie needed. A lot of the lessons in the movie can be taken into real life - that communication and honesty are the keys to a successful marriage. And I also like happy endings. Overall I thought it was an easy time-waster and a good laugh.

Was the above comment useful to you?

7 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :-
Good Natured Silliness, 7 June 2003
9/10
Author: Curtis Mark Stratmeyer (curtstrat@msn.com) from Bellevue, Washington

Oh c'mon. What were you expecting? Gone with the wind? Some of my favorite stars. Some cast against type (James Spader, Jay Mohr, Lara Flynn Boyle). Bill Murray is ALWAYS watchable and here makes a delicious pairing with Catherine O'Hara. Situations are wacky but plot can be easily followed. This is one of those movies that is like a feature length SNL sketch, only this is actually funny (in most parts). RECOMMENDED.

Was the above comment useful to you?

4 out of 7 people found the following comment useful :-
Spader is kinda like a squirrel in a doctor's outfit, 22 March 2004
Author: ablu272 from stl

James Spader was so adorable in this movie. His geeky quarks and pitifulness are so cute that he kinda reminds me of a squirrel in a scientist's costume or a doctor's outfit. His character is put through so many embarrassing situations that you kinda want to take him home and keep him like a pet or something. Bill Murry seemed out of place. There was absolutely no chemistry between him and O'Hara. His acting was machanical and the performance was cheesy. Melora Walters pulls out an okay performance. She starts out strong, but all of a sudden at the end of the film she is so different; like she's not staying faithful to the character. This is a good sit on the couch with a girlfriend or two movie, if you are looking for something to make fun of. All in All I think I enjoyed it.

Was the above comment useful to you?

5 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
Who pays production costs for such a crap???, 22 March 2005
2/10
Author: vanjamarin from Croatia

This film really left me wondering for quite a while after I saw it... First (as trying to be as self critic as I can), I thought something was wrong with me... Maybe I've missed something... Some irony... Some parody... Some...whatever...

But... NO!!! Unfortunately not!

Reading all other User Reviews, I can only say that comedy taste of Americans and us, Europeans is obviously sooo different... (Which is totally OK)...

But, from my point of view, I must say I am shocked with what a crap they spent their money on!?!? I mean, there are so many great stories that never find a producer or studio, so many talented directors, young comedy actors...

And, instead of trying to figure some of them out, since they are already throwing away a bag of money, they do the worst possible thing...

Choose ridiculous scenario (that has NOTHING in it), they assemble a Golden Cast of actors and then they produce Catastrophe...

I mean, what was that James Spader story in this movie??? Him trying to act as Jim Carrey on Acid (why the hell didn't they take Carrey for the role then, and not the usually great James Spader, who looks ridiculous in this "slap-stick of 22nd century" comedy)...

Right, as said in many reviews before, Bill Murray and Mrs.O'Hara try to save the film, but not enough space and room and good lines and inventive directing and nothing...

Everything is so flat!!! Just dig out the lightning in the movie... Those flat faces, no shadow anywhere (not even on those in depth walls – In just one shot I spotted some Venetian blinds shadow on the wall behind the actors ----- oh, what a try!!!)...

Only decent looking scenes (in matter of Production design, light and direction) are the scenes taking place in this "statement taking room" where we have entire cast in the scene....

Don't know... Maybe those years I've spent on Movie and Theater Academy made a movie geek out of me, and maybe I am watching too many movies and maybe I am watching them too "technically", but, again, I really tried hard to find at least one simple tiny good detail about this film... And I found none...

I even found NO reason to even try to get interested in making the one --- and I really wonder how on earth did those producers succeed in lining up all those people --- from director to the last actor --- to appear in such a nothing!!!!

No offence, please!!! Just my point of view!!!

Was the above comment useful to you?

1 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :-
Naughty but nice, 14 January 2008
9/10
Author: Radiant_Rose from United Kingdom

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Amazon.co.uk declined my initial review of this film. This is why.

"In regards to the review for 'Speaking of Sex', it was not posted due to to the following content 'I am delighted that James Spader accepted the role of Roger. Spader's screen personae have, er, explored many aspects of sexuality. These include voyeurism ("sex, lies and videotape"); hitting a brunette called Lee ("Secretary"); being hit by a totally separate brunette called Lee ("Storyville") and experiments with saddles and carrots ("Secretary", again). His alter egos have done it with a hooker and a psychotic killer ("The Music of Chance" and "Driftwood" respectively). They deflowered a human virgin on an alien planet in "Stargate" and an alien virgin on Earth in "Starcrossed". They were videotaped in compromising situations in "Bad Influence", "Storyville" and "Critical Care". They have had sex in outer space, in a bath and possibly on a table top, in public ("Supernova", "The Stickup" and "White Palace"). Spader made werewolves sexy in "Wolf" and let us not forget "Crash" (1996), a tale of orgasms, cars and scars.

"'We at CHERISH (Campaign to Holistically EnRIch our lives with Spader's Help) value all these diverse sex scenes. We also firmly believe that LITBM: Laughter Is The Best Medicine. We are delighted when Spader finds a role which enables him to poke fun at his stereotyped image: notably in the TV series "Boston Legal". However, "Boston Legal" has its serious side.'"

This is a really fun, funny film. I wish Megan Mullalley's character had found a new love interest, but apart from that, I cannot fault it. It reinforces every stereotype we have about Americans, and was filmed in Canada.

Was the above comment useful to you?

0 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
"fall-off-your-chair" funny., 26 May 2002
10/10
Author: spasmoid

I think the scripting and the acting are brilliant in this movie. If you can't relate to the characters, you can still sympathise with them. I didn't think there was any main role which wasn't portrayed well. The film took a little time to win me over but it was well worth it.

Was the above comment useful to you?

1 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
A Heart-Warming and Erotic Romp, 7 May 2003
9/10
Author: Alan (alantes1@aol.com) from Northern, N.J.

I saw this movie at the Tribeca Film Festival, and it upsets me when good movies are not distributed in wide release.

This movie is a fun and exciting experience with some outstanding performances by Bill Murray and Catherine O'Hara. While it might seem like a standard childish sex comedy, the writing and acting are much more intelligent and is sex-positive and witty at the same time.

If you see this playing and want a fun time, go see it.

Was the above comment useful to you?
Page 1 of 2:[1] [2] [Next]

Add another comment

Related Links

Ratings External reviews Plot keywords
Main details Your user comments Your vote history