The Opposite of Sex
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Movie Reviews of The Opposite of Sex
Movie Review: Keep Talking Christina
Summary: 4 Stars
"The Opposite of Sex" is a lot of fun and very original, what would happen if a standard romantic comedy met "The Big Lebowski". The best part is Christina Ricci's voice-over narration. She sounds like an Arkansas version of Orsen Welles. "If you think I'm just plucky and scrappy and all I need is love, you're in over your heads. I don't have a heart of gold and I *don't* grow one later, OK? But relax. There's other people a lot nicer coming up--we call them "losers."
Much of the credit for this little gem should go to the writers. Roger Ebert had a great observation about the narration provided by Ricci's character in "The Opposite of Sex". "I hate people who talk during movies, but if she were sitting behind me in the theater, saying all of this stuff, I'd want her to keep right on talking".
On the surface, "The Opposite of Sex" has the standard love story movie elements with characters engaged in the process of discovery and revelation. But below the surface the voice-over is providing a sort of sexual teasing to the audience (and it is not the opposite of sex). There is an ongoing shifting out of the movie each time Ricci shifts out of her character to discuss the film and its elements; doing this from a detached perspective, a technique that she is especially effective at. This bonds us to her character more completely than a simple narration or point-of-view. After a little of this, when her character interacts with characters inside the film our identification process as viewers intensifies.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
Movie Review: A movie that sticks with you (if you like comedy black)
Summary: 4 Stars
It's saying something about a movie when a friend asks you for a recommendation in 2004, and 1998's "The Opposite of Sex" is one of the first things that pops into your head. Christina Ricci - in her first real adult role - rips the paint of the walls with her performance as Dede Truitt, a one-woman hurricane. She wreaks havoc here in everyone else's life, starting with half-brother Bill, played by the always excellent Martin Donovan (see, among others, "Insomnia," in which he plays Al Pacino's doomed partner).In fact, for all the attention garnered by what was essentially Ms. Ricci's very successful coming out party, the real news here are the excellent turns by Donovan, Lisa Kudrow (playing about as far from Phoebe as one can get) and Lyle Lovett. Mr. Lovett proves her that he doesn't need Robert Altman to transfer his charisma from his musical performances to film. [He had been essentially an Altman 'house player' up to this point in his career.]
The script is sharp and witty. We've got Don Roos (as writer and director) to thank for that. I'm a little perplexed by Mr. Roos' career since that point - 'Bounce' (a disappointing Affleck/Paltrow outing) came out in 2000. He did have a critical hit with 2000's TV summer replacement 'M.Y.O.B.'
Roos has proven himself to be a great writer who attracts quality stars and directs them to impressive performances. He does have 'Happy Endings' in production right now with Ms. Kudrow and other talented actors. As far as I'm concerned, his success with 'Opposite of Sex' will compel me to see anything that he creates.
Movie Review: Must see movie
Summary: 4 Stars
I love this movie, ever since I originally saw it in a college class a few years ago. Christina Ricci is an absolute dream in this, and Lisa Kudrow is about as far removed from her Phoebe character as you could possibly get. I wasn't so keen on Martin Donovan's character, Bill, so much. He was very emotionless.
It's very fast-paced, with a very sarcastic narrative from Christina's character, which isn't intrusive, and fills you in on stuff you might not have noticed/obvious stuff/stuff that isn't necessary to show in the movie, but needs to be mentioned. It is highly amusing, witty and provides the audience with a release during tense and heavily themed situations. Christina's narrative is quite funny at times, as she comments on her own comments and on the movie itself, and most of the jokes come from her spoken lines. The film is suitably gritty and very well acted. Every character (apart from Bill) is suitably addictive to watch, which you want to know about DeeDee and her life. She smokes, she drinks, she pinches her nipples so they show through her top. A girl we'd all want to be.
The director has the audience in the palm of their hand when at one point during the movie, it shows how easily we can be manipulated by mood and music as well as the points that we show in a character's life.
This movie comes highly recommended, and a must-have for your collection of DVDs. It needs to be seen (and heard) to be believed. And it's the perfect movie to watch to realise you're not the only one out there with problems.
Movie Review: Just Wickedly Funny!
Summary: 4 Stars
The keyword to this film- wicked. Here, we enter the mind of Deedee Truit (Cristina Ricci), a teenager who just comes into the lives of many people and just wrecks the wits out of them. But she does have a lighter side, and it does show up at the final stages of the film.I love gay movies. This one isn't a purely gay film- it really focuses on what love really means, and you just can't help but get a little mushed up at the final scenes.
Lisa Kudrow is extremely funny in this film. As usual, her witty one-liners will get you to laugh so hard. The first time I saw it, my stomach just got hurt bad laughing from Lisa's quips.
All the other performances are just as good. The DVD itself treats us to some interesting deleted scenes, two of which are really funny. I personally think the director's commentary was a bit disappointing. I thought he had a lot of guts to do such a film, but his commentary focused on the technicalities of this film.
If you like gay movies, or if you're straight but you love gay people, you should get out and rent the DVD and if you love it, then order it!
Movie Review: Fun, Well Done and Totally Twisted!
Summary: 4 Stars
This movie was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. It is definitely dark but not so dark that the viewer is turned off or offended. It is the story of a misguided teen who leaves her home in the South and moves in with her gay half brother in Indiana and his partner. She manipulates her brother's lover into having an affair with her and announces she is pregnant with his child. Her brother and his female confidant set out to prove that "sis" is not the helpless victim she portrays and is indeed who "Rosemary's Baby" would have been had that been explored.
The acting by Kudrow,Ricci and Lovett was worth watching alone, especially Kudrow proving she can play a bitter, sexually repressed school marm just as well as a ditz. The fact that it was cleverly written and very funny grabs you from the first scene. Hopefully this film will get it's due at the usually "conservative/big name only counts/box office blockbuster" Academy Awards though I doubt it because Tom Hanks wasn't in it.