There's much more talking then sex in this gabfest that bears more than a passing resemblance to any given film by Henry Jaglom.
Andie (Kim Wayans) is a freelance editor who has collaborated on a book with Michael Columbus (Kerry Ruff), a slightly stodgy sex therapist. Having produced a vanity printing of the book and a prototype of a videotape to accompany it (both financed by her boyfriend Doug [Daniel Beer]), Andie plans
a party at which she hopes to interest Carl Morgan (Randy Powell) in publishing them. Carl is having sexual problems with his wife Joan (Daria Lynn), who is unable to tell him her wants and is also seeing Michael for therapy.
At the party, sexual undercurrents among the guests rise to the surface. Doug and Andie fight over his refusal to get married. Michael shows his disdain for Andie's friend Rachel (Marcy Walker), an alternative therapist. After failing to seduce Doug, Rachel has her first-ever orgasm with the aid
of Andie's shower head. Andie's neighbor tries to set her up with his grandson, whom he doesn't realize is gay. Carl accuses Joan of having an affair with Michael, but he learns more about her when he watches Andie's revealing videotape. At the end of the night, Rachel leads the remaining people
at the party in a "rebirthing session," at which the skeptical Michael gets in touch with his true feelings about his father. Everyone ends the night with more knowledge about themselves and their partners.
TALKING ABOUT SEX could hardly have been more suitably titled. Its purpose, like that of the fictional book that sparks the plot, seems to be to encourage viewers to talk out their sexual desires and problems. While it isn't as unbearably didactic as it sounds, neither is it particularly
interesting dramatically; the film simply tries to pack too much into its running time, with a spectrum of relationship problems ticked off as regularly as could be seen in any given month of a daytime soap opera. Those having trouble communicating with their sexual partners may well find this
movie useful, but that's less a recommendation than a prescription. (Nudity, sexual situations, adult situations, profanity.) leave a comment
