Speaking of Sex (2001)

Director:

John McNaughton

Writer (WGA):

Gary Tieche (written by)

Release Date:

20 September 2002 (Greece)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

Because life has its ups and downs...

Plot:

A female marriage counselor and a male depression expert try to solve the marital problems of a troubled couple. |

Plot Keywords:

Depression | Sex On Table | Champagne | Doctor Patient Relationship | Billiards

Cast

James Spader	...	Dr. Roger Klink
Melora Walters	...	Melinda
Jay Mohr	...	Dan
Nathaniel Arcand	...	Calvin
Megan Mullally	...	Jennifer Klink
Lara Flynn Boyle	...	Dr. Emily Paige
Nick Offerman	...	Sheriff Panghorn
Greg Pitts	...	Deputy Trousdale
Daniel Libman	...	Dr. Clark
Don MacKay	...	Dr. Fromm
Paul Schulze	...	Larry
Catherine O'Hara	...	Connie Barker
Phil LaMarr	...	Joel Johnson, Jr.
Bill Murray	...	Ezri Stovall
Hart Bochner	...	Felix

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexual content and language.

Runtime:

USA:96 min | USA:97 min

Country:

Canada | USA | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | Iceland:12 | Brazil:16 | Italy:VM14 | New Zealand:R16 | Spain:13 | Australia:MA

Filming Locations:

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Company:

Canal+

Quotes:

Jennifer Klink: All of a sudden, he is Mr Oral Sex. Up until then Roger had *very* rarely, uh, 'cunnilinged' me.
Felix: Can you say, uh, 'cunnilinged'?
Jennifer Klink: [laughs] Well, I don't know. What's the verb for cunnilingus?
Felix: 'Cunniligated'?
Jennifer Klink: [laughs amd hits him on the arm flirtatiously] stop it!
Felix: Cunnilingual? Is that a verb?
Jennifer Klink: [still laughing] I don't know, but I like it!

Movie Connections:

References Annie Hall (1977)

Soundtrack:

O mio babbino caro

"Elevator sex?!?"

Very much in the "screwball" comedy genre, and a direct descendant of 'Bringing Up Baby', etc, films of this kind always walk a fine line between (as they say in 'Spinal Tap') clever and stupid. And the best ones will cross that line more than once during their running time, but in a way that makes the viewer laugh convulsively rather than roll their collective eyeballs and leave the cinema.

'Speaking Of Sex' largely succeeds, in my opinion. But it is really only due to the collection of actors involved. It is most definitely held together almost entirely by some fabulous performances by the ensemble cast. James Spader, Bill Murray, Jay Mohr and Catherine O'Hara really shine in this one. A lesser group of talent would've buried the film. Thankfully, these actors make it work (or, at least, make it eminently watchable). But it does leave you with the feeling that someone should really write these actors something more worthy of their talents. If the script and direction had been sharper and the story more refined, with this innovative and talented cast, the movie could've easily been a comedy classic. It's just a shame that the material itself doesn't hold a candle to the actors who're giving it their all in bringing it to life.

If someone could write these under-rated actors (particularly Spader and Murray) a really great script, I'm sure the result would be awesome. And more wholly deserving of the 7-out-of-10 rating I'm giving this picture.