Opposite of Sex

Actually, the movie justifies both (Look at above title). Scripted by Don Roos, the movie seems to constantly expect us to categorize the characters into "love" and "hate" lists, even if we weren't even thinking of doing so. Christina Ricci puts up an amazingly trashy performance, but it is deliberate and expected to tantalize our senses.

The plot: characters that keep running away
I've just toured the US by watching The Opposite of Sex. (I'm kidding, I know there's far more to see) Ricci travels to Louisiana to stay with her gay half-brother, beds his boyfriend, and it seems from then, we're led through an interstate wild goose chase. There's censored sex, homosexuality (Hm, I seem to review quite a number of gay-themed movies these days), and a mish-mashing of oddly generated couples.

As far as I know, this is about an wild, irresponsible hedonist who contemplates but always ends up in self-denial. What with the love-hate relationship I have with Christina Ricci's character, I do like the fact that she's blatantly honest about herself. I leave it to you to find out what she's honest about, but brace yourself: this isn't your everyday 16-year old encounter.

Christina Ricci
Characterized by Dedee Truitt, a 16-year old precocious foul-mouthed (and slightly blobby around the hips) nymphomaniac, with a cigarette perpetually glued to her red lips. She gives her performance with maximum cleavage. One can only take her brutal narration and emotionally-destructive nature 2 ways: with supreme dislike (my boyfriend was calling out b**tch every 5 minutes), or with a cynic's hard-edged humor. I took the latter, and was laughing in my head throughout the entire run of the show. Ricci taunts you, compels you to hate her character, yet at the end there is moment of baby and family-envy and a far off look in her eyes, as if she thinks of succumbing to the the good-girl temptation and become the impossible mother. Gives us hope if The Opposite of Sex 2 is created.

Martin Donovan
Ah, the homosexual school teacher. What will the kids think? Good ole' Bill is the epitome of absolute niceness. However, he's not insane enough to hand out wads of $10,000 to young pregnant 16 year old girls, (half-sister or not) who steal his boyfriend. Adding on to being gay, Bill is passive, independent and has a good financial credit. However, If being so beckons the call of extortion, then this is a very strange situation indeed.

Lisa Kudrow
Same person, but different name (Lucia), bad lines and awful costume garb. Without Kudrow's usually prompt pre-recorded laughter crew on television, her movie lines aren't delivered with as much punch. While she tries to carry off her role as an unpopular prudish high school teacher, the smelly cat song keeps ringing in my ears, and I'm back to being amused again.

Ivan Sergei
Otherwise known as Matt, Bill's former live-in lover and Dedee's sexual conquest. For Dedee, it was lust at first sight and lust all the way. The good thing is that he's normally conscientious about what he's doing, and takes responsibility for for his actions. He's also aware of the fact Bill tries to love him for more than his looks, but he knows he can't replace Bill's previous lover who passed away. Very sweet character, but unfortunately falls into the "nice dumb jock" category.

Lyle Lovett
I have one word for you: flat. His acting falls short of everyone, but we have to forgive him for his assigned role as the town cop who says very little but loves very much. He struggles to get our attention in the film, just as he struggles to get Lucia's attention. "What's that? Speak louder please. Or perhaps if you wore one of those leopard print things Dedee's got..."

Conclusion
...and everyone lives happily ever after! Basically, the only corresponding element of the title to the movie is the sex. Everyone's involved, whether straight or not. The opposite of sex is abstinence, but this movie doesn't quite encourage that. Watch it if you want a raunchy night out.