Better Than Sex (2000)

Director:

Jonathan Teplitzky

Writer:

Jonathan Teplitzky

Release Date:

9 November 2000 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

3 days in the life of a 1 night stand.

Plot:

After a one-night stand a couple is faced with the terrifying possibility of what they really want.

Plot Keywords:

Sex | One Night Stand | Nudity | Promiscuous Woman | Thong Panties

Awards:

1 win & 12 nominations

Cast

David Wenham	...	Josh
Susie Porter	...	Cin
Catherine McClements	...	Sam
Kris McQuade	...	Taxi Driver
Simon Bossell	...	Tim
Imelda Corcoran	...	Carole
Dina Gillespie	...	Girl B
Emily Saunders	...	Girl C
Laura Keneally	...	Girl D
Leah Vandenberg	...	Girl E
Tammy Macintosh	...	Girl F
Mark Priestley	...	Guy A
Tamblyn Lord	...	Guy B
Jason Clarke	...	Guy C
Jason Chong	...	Guy D
Tim Richards	...	Guy E
Harry Bragg	...	Phone Box Man
Pauline Anderson	...	Phone Box Woman
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
David Hobson	...	Soundtrack performer - Che gelida manina (La Bohème)
Ken Waters		(as Ken VerCammen)

Directed by
Jonathan Teplitzky

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Jonathan Teplitzky

Produced by
Marc Bonduel	....	executive producer
Frank Cox	....	producer
Bruna Papandrea	....	producer

Original Music by
David Hirschfelder

Cinematography by
Garry Phillips

Film Editing by
Shawn Seet

Casting by
Nikki Barrett

Production Design by
Tara Kamath

Art Direction by
Tara Kamath

Set Decoration by
Carisse O'Brien

Costume Design by
Kelly May

Makeup Department
David Grainger	....	makeup artist
Angela Mork	....	assistant hair stylist
Angela Mork	....	makeup assistant
Helene Simone	....	hair stylist supervisor
Helene Simone	....	makeup supervisor

Production Management
Cathy Flannery	....	unit production manager
Les Taylor	....	unit manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Dennis Kiely	....	first assistant director
Belinda Mravicic	....	second assistant director
Annabel Osborne	....	third assistant director

Art Department
Gillian Farrow	....	stand-by props
Lea Lennon	....	props buyer
Ben Lord	....	art department assistant

Sound Department
Andrew Belletty	....	production sound mixer
Mark Blackwell	....	sound effects editor
Mark Blackwell	....	sound recordist
Les Fiddess	....	foley artist
Mauricio Hernández	....	foley recordist
Phil Heywood	....	sound re-recording mixer
Steve Murphy	....	stereo sound consultant: Dolby
Conor O'Connor	....	boom operator
Philip Purcell	....	adr recordist
Penn Robinson	....	dialogue editor
Sue Scott	....	adr coordinator
Stephen R. Smith	....	sound mixer
Stephen R. Smith	....	sound supervisor

Visual Effects by
Ken Phelan	....	opticals

Camera and Electrical Department
Hallie Burton	....	still photographer
Steve Carter	....	gaffer
Stacey Cross	....	camera attachment
Sally Eccleston	....	focus puller
David Litchfield	....	key grip
Michael Metzner	....	camera attachment
Nicholas Seckold	....	best boy
Irene Seeto	....	clapper loader
Darryl Short	....	assistant grip

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Kelly May	....	stand-by costumer

Editorial Department
Greg Chapman	....	negative matcher
Kelvin Crumplin	....	color grader
Al Hansen	....	digital colorist
Milena Romanin	....	assembly editor
Milena Romanin	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Ross Cockle	....	music score engineer
Con Frantzeskos	....	music supervisor
Peter Hoyland	....	music supervisor
Nigel MacLean	....	assistant music producer
Nigel MacLean	....	musician: violin

Transportation Department
Peter Vorst	....	vehicle coordinator

Other crew
Robert Connolly	....	consultant
Jane Corden	....	production accountant
Christian Luxton	....	production runner
Tracy McKeown	....	accounting assistant
Genevieve Mooy	....	script editor
Annie Parnell	....	production coordinator
Annette Smith	....	unit publicist
Eve Spence	....	continuity

Thanks
Kimble Rendall	....	thanks
Corrie Soeterboek	....	thanks

Production Companies

• Better Than
• Fireworks Pictures
• France Télévision Distribution
• Meercat Films
• New South Wales Film & Television Office
• New Vision Films

Distributors

• CanWest Global Communications (north America)
• Manga Films (2001) (Spain) (all media)
• Paris Vídeo (Brazil) (DVD)
• Paris Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• Pathé (France)
• President Films
• Samuel Goldwyn Films (2001) (USA)
• Sherlock Media S.L. (Spain)

Other Companies

• Atlab  sound mixing
• Australian Film Locations  location scouting
• First Australian Completion Bond Company (FACB)  completion bond
• Frameworks  editing post-production
• Frameworks  sound post-production
• HW Wood  insurance
• Michael Frankel & Company Solicitors  solicitors (as Michael Frankel & Company)
• Moneypenny Services  accounting
• Negthink  negative matching
• Panavision Australia  camera equipment provided by
• Rear Window Locations  location scouting
• Watsons Catering  catering

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexual content and language

Runtime:

95 min | Germany:80 min | USA:84 min (approx)

Country:

Australia | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:MA | France:-12 | Germany:12 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Peru:18 | Singapore:R(A) | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Iceland:16 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

Better Than

Goofs:

Continuity: When Cyn is on the phone with Sam, Josh gets up from the bed wearing his socks, in the few seconds it takes him to walk from the bed to the window his socks are gone.

Quotes:

Cin:[internal monologue] So that was it. I really felt like sex. I want sex. I need sex. I love sex.

Soundtrack:

Dress Me Slowly

Character driven perfection. I agree, nothing is Better than Sex

To be honest I cant get enough of 'Better than Sex'(BtS). I was thoroughly disappointed when the end credits began to roll. Since I viewed it on cable TV, I flipped a channel and watched it all over again. I hold very few movies in such an esteem to rate them 10/10. But BtS is definitely one of those rare diamonds.

BtS is a very intellectual and honest look at the dynamics of the one night stand, the following passion, the possibilities of more. Seen from both the male and female perspective it's so engaging to see and feel the raw honesty. As a male I was constantly agreeing, laughing, nodding and completely understanding Josh's (David Wenham) position with his actions and thoughts. I so loved the balancing female - Cin's (Susie Porter) perspective. I felt this was how it really is. BtS is an optimal example of reality.

From the initial meetings to the scared first steps, the initial sex to the first words the next day, the progression of knowing nothing to seeing the unfolding of a relationship not yet defined and blossoming. The doubts, insecurities, the ensuing pointless fights, walking out then making up. The development of passion and the emotional content that creeps in uncontrollably is magnificent in its simplicity and handling.

As an audience I became so drawn to the characters. I felt in tune with David Wenham's Character and was left with a crush on Susie Porter. This movie is all about character, development and that proverbial 'human condition. So basic I would assume it was filmed on a shoe string budget, but you never know it. The cinematography, camera angles, accompanying music, the introspective and intermittent 'interview' style was perfect. The sex scenes are tasteful and never 'dirty', the chemistry was electric between Josh and Cin.

I am not usually a fan of pure Australian film. But BtS showcases how an intellectual, witty, and powerful character driven story tackling a very real plot should be done. A definite movie to get... a saucy, raunchy and potentially winner of a movie to see with a new partner. However be warned, BtS is clearly marketed for adults that demand that bit more depth in the intellectual and honesty stakes.

A challenge: Try not to fall in love with either one or both of David Wenham or Susie Porter and their characters. And I bet you will love the Taxi driver :D