Customer Reviews

Relax... It's Just Sex

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Mitchell Anderson leads a great ensemble cast in this story of a gay man who after a second hate crime leaves his colorful cast of friends to find himself. While Mitchell is wonderful it's the rest of the cast including Jennifer Tilly and Lorie Petty who STEAL the show. The speech given by Lorie's girlfriend in the movie was one of the most heartfelt scenes I've ever witnessed in a movie. It's worth the price of the DVD itself. At it's heart it's a comedy with dramatic elements. Definitely a must have.

I bought this DVD based on the reviews I had read on here. I wasn't quite sure what to expect. What I got was a totally interesting, intriguing and though provoking movie that provides laughs and tears. One thing is for sure, if you have a problem with gay people, this isn't the movie for you. This shows (sorta) some of the aspects of gay and lesbian life but ultimately it's about relationships, regardless of gay or straight. I found some of the movie disturbing because things happen that I didn't quite expect but still an awesome movie that says something about life. Don't miss this one.

This is a film that will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride... I cried so hard during this movie. It's not really about sex... it's about the friendships that happen once in a lifetime... deep friendships... and the love that's forged in them. Jennifer Tilly was outstanding in this role. Lori Petty and Cynda Williams have a scene that will touch your heart. If you watch it for the first time... make sure you have a box of kleenex handy!

I saw this movie not knowing anything about it and was so pleasantly surprised. I thought that the script was intelligent and poignant and also very funny at just the right moments. I found the characters to be engaging and with a lot of chemistry between them. The film also touches on subjects not often thought of by mainstream films. I can't wait to see it again to pick up on more of the subtleties that I'm sure I missed because the film was so strong! I highly recommend it!

RELAX... IT'S JUST SEX

(USA - 1997)

Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Theatrical soundtrack: Dolby Stereo SR

The lives and loves of a group of friends - mostly gay, some straight - are placed under the microscope in writer-director P.J. Castellaneta's LA-based production, a dialogue-heavy comedy-drama which unfolds like a theatre-piece and is largely energized by a top-notch cast of formerly B-list players, deservedly elevated to lead status.

Adopting several points-of-view throughout, the movie opens on unlucky-in-love Mitchell Anderson (one-time regular on TV's "Doogie Howser, M.D.") and his friendship with sharp-tongued Jennifer Tilly (BOUND, BRIDE OF CHUCKY, etc.) who's desperate to have a baby with her reluctant boyfriend (Timothy Paul Perez), whose brother (Eddie Garcia) has just been diagnosed with HIV. Garcia's illness brings the core group of characters together, including Cynda Williams and Serena Scott Thomas (Kristin's sister) as long-term lovers whose relationship is on the slide ("We haven't had good sex since Martina won Wimbledon!"), and Anderson's would-be boyfriend (T.C. Carson), an artist and radical thinker whose contentious views on the AIDS crisis allows Castellaneta to engage in a controversial debate about the relationship between HIV and AIDS and the effectiveness of current medical remedies; some viewers may want to hear more of these theories, while others will likely applaud Tilly when she advises Carson to: "Shut the [bleep] up!" It's lively stuff, and the characters are likeable and engaging. But the group's complacency is irrevocably shattered by a horrific encounter with gay-bashers midway through the movie, an event which concludes in a wholly unexpected (but no less sickening) manner, and which causes the entire group to re-evaluate their priorities and expectations, leading to a bittersweet conclusion.

Opening with a tongue-in-cheek introduction which pokes fun at straight viewers for their well-known aversion to gay themes in mainstream entertainment, the movie - which won the Audience Award at the Austin Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in 1998 - segues immediately into a joyous sex session between Anderson and a curiously uncredited super-hunk, which sets the tone for much of what follows. Overall, the movie offers a sweet but superficial examination of the gulf between sex and love, and demonstrates how a broad range of 'divided' communities - men/women, gay/straight, black/white - experience the same problems as every other community, without distinction.

Tilly dominates proceedings as an earth-mother figure whose love for her friends is matched only by her devotion to the man in her life, while Anderson makes a startlingly convincing transition from down-on-his-luck loser to born-again militant after life deals him a particularly unpleasant blow. Other cast members are superb - including Lori Petty (the eponymous TANK GIRL) and Joe Dallesandro-lookalike Billy Wirth (a model-turned-actor who recently branched out into directing) - and there are hilarious cameos from veterans Susan Tyrrell and Seymour Cassel (horrified that their erstwhile lesbian daughter [Scott Thomas] has suddenly taken up with a...a MAN!!) and Paul Winfield as an outrageous seen-it-all-before queen who takes Anderson under his wing during a moment of crisis.

The film derives most of its strength from the quality of the performances and dialogue, and while the production is clearly more technically polished than Castellaneta's previous micro-budgeted offering (TOGETHER ALONE [1991]), it's marred by Lon Magdich's slightly ragged-looking cinematography, possibly due to the director's use of cheap film stock.

This film really isnt about sex at all. Its about life,relationships,friendships,humor, its all in there. I was so moved I called the director and I thought he was extremely nice. Jennifer Tilly should have gotten an oscar. This is definately one for the film collection.

This is one of my favorite movies ever. It's hillaroius with lots of heart. It's one of those films where you acually laugh and cry during it. All of the actors ( Jennifer Tilly, Mitchel Anderson, Lori Petty, "T.C", Cynda Williams, and Serena Scott Thomas in particualar) turn in great performances. The movie is about a group of friends ( who just happen to mostly be gay and lesbian) try to deal with life, death, and hard ships. I f you want more indepth descrption of it go to the other dvd edition's reviews. But I deffinetly recomend you buy this edition. Other then a great movie there is a witty, funny commentary track by Lori Petty, Jennifer Tilly and the producer Steven Wolf. I was laughing out loud with some stories and comments they had about the making of the film and there experiences in sundance. Plus I believe the two of them were the standouts of the cast so it was even more enjoyable. There are also some deleted scenes and some bloopers ( very scarce) but better then nothing. Overall it's a very good dvd and I'd buy it anyway just for the greatness of the movie. For movie with a 250,000 budget ( seriously) it deserves top honorr. Good for everyone.

i have to admit, when i saw the title, i was all set for some hot and heavy sex scenes (which there were), but the movie has a very interesting storyline. the character development was great. i really enjoyed it and i would recommend it to anyone that is in the mood for a good comedy/drama.

Insightful, hilarious, emotionally fullfilling. "Relax, it's just sex" deals with a wide range of modern and timeless issues from gay right, relationships (both gay and hetero), gay bashing, loss of a loved one, friendship, to parenting. It manages to be deeply thought provoking while never losing it's sense of humor. You won't be sorry!

I happened to be staying at a B&B in San Francisco when this movie came out. I had never heard of it but, since the B&B owner raved about it, I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did not miss this one. It is one of the best movies I've seen. It's funny, thought provoking, touching, and clever. I have been recommending it to everyone ever since. (Well, maybe not everyone-I do live in Indiana).