9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Sweet And Utterly Real Domestic Dramedy--Don't Be Put Off By The Silly DVD Marketing, February 3, 2011
Don't be fooled by the rather evocative title of "My Year Without Sex." While certainly an attention grabber that piqued my initial interest, I almost skipped this film thinking it was some silly teenage comedic romp. Instead, "My Year Without Sex" is a rather incisive and tender look at a modern Australian family in crisis. A study of love, fidelity, and loyalty--this episodic journey through a year for an ordinary middle class clan is one of the most realistic and warm films about family that I've seen in some time. The sex angle may be the hook that lures you in, but ultimately--this is an old fashioned love story between a man and his wife. So despite the title and the saucy double entendre chapter breaks, this is domestic drama with liberal doses of identifiable comedy for an adult audience!
A married couple not having sex, what's so unique about that? Matt Day and Sacha Horler effectively play the sexless couple in question. A loving, yet chaotic, home life with their two children is abruptly interrupted when Horler suffers from a brain aneurysm. Near death's door, she miraculously pulls through and is able to return to the fold. But her illness has placed the family into some turmoil both economically and emotionally. There are some things, including sex, that can trigger aneurysms so the couple swear off until Horler experiences a better prognosis. This, however, is such a small part of "My Life Without Sex." We see the family deal with financial issues, questions of faith and mortality, as well as trying to rebuild an normalcy within extreme circumstances. Throughout all the conflict, and the film is structured in vignette format, the realness of their lives is never questionable. And the familial love is both true and incredibly sweet--even when everyone can be combative.
Horler is terrific and believable while Day is the epitome of charm and patience. Their children, as well as the extended family, are also well cast. This is slice-of-life comedy at its most appealing. I truly was invested in the journey of every character and, really, what more could you want? So don't be mislead by the rather silly DVD packaging and the tagline "One woman is about to do the unthinkable." This film is better than its marketing campaign would suggest. Heartfelt and real, I was really taken by this indie charmer! KGHarris, 2/11.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
This is NOT a Gay themed movie, September 22, 2011
I don't know why this movie has been categorized as GLBT-interest movie. There is no gay plot or character in it whatsoever!
Apart that...
It's a pretty sweet movie ("dramedy") with likable characters, charm, fun ideas about a middle class family in Australia.
Generally we enjoyed it despite having expected something completely different (like that cute father would start fooling around with another good looking 'aussie bum" :)
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Totally Enjoyed This, October 7, 2011
I skipped over this film several times due to the title. Having hit a spate of insipid, inane ones lately, I pre-judged it to be yet another one. Wow, was I wrong!
First, I seem to enjoy Aussie movies for their realness and humor. Having visited a relative there and loved the country, the films bring me back to that enjoyable destination.
This movie said a lot without hitting you over the head with it. I enjoyed the acting, writing, and scenery. And, of course, the story was interesting to me as well.
I'm so glad my curiosity made me try this one out. Totally enjoyed it so much.
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