REVIEW: The Opposite of Sex By Luke Buckmaster (bucky@alphalink.com.au)
Cast: Christina Ricci, Martin Donovan, Lisa Kudrow, Lyle Lovett, Ivan Sergei, Johnny Galecki Director: Don Roos Screenplay: Don Roos Cinematography: Hubert Taczanowski
Australian theatrical release date: August 13, 1998
>From 0 stars (bomb), to 5 stars (a masterpiece): 2 stars
Somewhere in the backbone of the American film industry lies some deep, dark and cynical social studies of sensitive and standoffish themes. The fact that the independent production In the Company of Men has probably been the only one of these nitty-gritty films in the last year proves that these atypical themes are definitely not typical material to encounter. Although any Hollywood hack can conjurer up offensive and/or execrating films (see Dumb and Dumber and the upcoming There's Something About Mary, if you don't believe me), there's something special that separates antagonistic flair from goofball comedy. Damn Neil LaBute (director of In the Company of Men) for doing it so well, and damn Don Ross for failing to achieve true cinematic quality in The Opposite of Sex.
16 year old Dedee Truitt (Christina Ricci) warns us early on in the film: "I don't have a heart of gold, and I don't grow one later on." After the death of her stepfather she runs away from her troubled life in Louisiana, and visits her gay half-brother Bill (Martin Donovan). Whilst there she seduces his boyfriend Matt (Ivan Sergei) and proclaims that she is pregnant, and that Matt is the father. When the two flee the city, the film gets some breathing space to develop a few other characters. We find Bill to be a wise and considerate man, as well as being introduced to his bratty best friend Lucia (Lisa Kudrow), the town sheriff (Lyle Lovett) and one of Matt's previous lovers (Johnny Galecki). It's a pity that none of them, except Ricci's exuberant Dedee, are particularly interesting.
One of the most striking elements of Don Ross' directing style in this film is its narration. Last years Gattaca was ample proof of how effective narration from a main character can be, often adding multiple dimensions to a film. But it can also be a slack way of putting the pieces together - it's much more difficult to visually depict key scenes than it is to simply describe them, and I couldn't help but feel that Ross had taken the easy way out on numerous occasions.
However, one great thing about The Opposite of Sex is the uneasy relationship that develops between the viewer and the character of Dedee. We don't really care for her because she is so nasty, but at the same time we want nothing bad to happen to her, as she is so valuable to the film.
Don't ask me how Christina Ricci went from The Addams Family and Casper to The Ice Storm and The Opposite of Sex, but she has transformed herself into a robust young actress with remarkable talent and ability. Ricci is terrific in her role, and would certainly contend as one of the best female leads so far this year had she been given more screen time. Ivan Sergei has also come along way since his rather dismal performance in John Woo's Once a Thief, but he is a often unconvincing at times. Lisa Kudrow is the first out of the Friends bunch to prove that she can act well, but Ross seems uncertain as to whether her character is a comedy relief or a dramatic influence.
As a nitty-gritty "we offend you and we're proud of it" film, The Opposite of Sex succeeds only mildly well. It's not as controversial or vitalizing as it intends to be, as many scenes are comprised of sloppy film making rather than a competent portrayal of important social themes. It may not be typical material to encounter and it may be produced from the shadows of an alive industry, but this film fails to give the kind of adequate emotional feel and kooky black comedy that its material desperately deserves.
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