Cast overview: | |||
Amy Seimetz | |||
Lane Hughes | |||
Megan Mercier | |||
Kate Lyn Sheil | |||
Joe Swanberg | |||
Chris Hilleke | |||
Kris Rey | ... | (as Kris Swanberg) | |
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Frank V. Ross | ||
Josephine Decker | |||
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Rosemary Plain | ||
Adam Wingard | |||
Ti West | |||
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Brendan Kelly |
Four separate stories of the auto-sexual proclivities of Chicagoans is presented. In the first story, a man, who is in a seemingly supportive relationship, is nonetheless self-conscious about what he considers the small size of his penis, regardless of his girlfriend telling him otherwise. His penis enlargement efforts lead to a change in attitude on many fronts. In the second story, a woman, who is in a supportive sexual relationship, has of late been turned on by everything, which leads to her feeling the need to masturbate whenever and wherever she can. After discussing the issue with a friend, she decides to take that sexual arousal to the next level by experimenting with auto-asphyxiation. In the third story, a pregnant woman, while still sexually aroused, can no longer come to orgasm through vaginal penetration. A female friend believes she can help her reach orgasm again, which the pregnant woman's husband allows. Although this experiment is solely to be between the two women, ... Written by Huggo
I'm consistently impressed with Joe Swanberg's work. I happened to see this film in the same week as a Belgian film, Marieke, Marieke and Swanberg's intimate portraits are similarly natural, and are based in the story.
The comfort his actors have on camera show that they are great friends (the interiors say a much about the character's situations as any intimacy shown on camera). And no other filmmaker is exploring the ramifications of social media, and new technologies to create resonances in human relationships (good and potentially bad).
Compared to Swanberg's other films, this one does a great job with music, cut scenes and a thoughtful eye for his hometown Chicago. The stories are finely wrought and his skill at composing scenes makes one wonder whether he cued sirens, the sounds of trucks etc to compliment them.
I was one of those who does not have cable (hence no IFC or Sundance on demand options), so thanks to Amazon.com for placing this in their collection.