This Movie is Unrated
Before I talk about the movie, I’m going to talk about one of the actors in it, Jay Brannan. After hearing him sing in “Shortbus” I became intrigued with him. Keep in mind, this is so not the kind of music I usually listen to (I’m into punk and alternative), but there is something about his songs that really grabs me. After doing a little research I found that he had a CD out, which I ended up buying and found I really liked it. I was lucky enough to attend his concert in Seattle last night and I was extremely impressed with him. He sounds great live, has such a fun personality and interacts well with the crowd. I had a great time and was so happy I decided to go.
Ok, back to the movie. “Shortbus” became the object of much controversy due to the fact that all of the actors actually have sex in the movie (they don’t just simulate it). Which inevitably leads to people classifying it as Porn. However, if you watch it expecting to see Porn you will disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot of graphic sex in it (gay, lesbian, hetro & dom), however, there is also a lot of meaningful story to go along with it. So if your only interest is to watch people having sex, stick to regular Porn, because the story gets in the way of the sex in this one.
This is really a movie about people dealing with their lives, feelings and relationships, with sex being used as a metaphor. The setting is New York City. There is Sofia (Sook-Yin Lee) and her husband Rob (Raphael Barker), on the surface their relationship seems fine. However, we soon find that is not the case. She is a couple’s counselor (others often refer to her as a sex therapist) who has never had an orgasm in her life. Her husband is currently unemployed and is having self-esteem issues.
Jamie (PJ DeBoy) and Jamie (Paul Dawson), although he has decided to go by James now, have been together for about five years. Jamie is an actor, although he hasn’t done anything very high profile since he was younger. James is a former hustler that now works as a lifeguard at a local gym. James is having trouble relating with people (including Jamie) and life in general and is currently being treated for depression.
Ceth (Jay Brannan) is young, single and in search of a husband. He is a sweet, compassionate guy that wants a commitment with someone; not just a string of one night stands. He is currently working as a model, even though he hates it. Caleb (Peter Stickles) is a proofreader that works from his apartment. His free time is spent stalking the two Jamies. Which is fairly easy to do since he conveniently lives across the street from them and his window gives him a perfect view into theirs. He is pretty much living vicariously through them.
Severin (Lindsay Beamish) lives in a storage locker and works as a Dominatrix. She really wants to be an artist and is continually taking random Polaroid pictures of people, which she completes with interesting captions. She doesn’t really have any friends and her longest relationship has been with one of her longtime tricks, Jesse (Adam Hardman). He is a trust fund kid, who doesn’t do much of anything other than partake of her services. Whenever he tries to get to know Severin better, she pushes him away.
Last, but certainly not least, is Justin Bond (himself) who runs “Shortbus”. He is sympathetic to other’s problems and tries to steer them in the right direction. While on the surface it’s a sex club, but in reality it is much more than that. It’s a place for people to go that don’t feel they fit in elsewhere. All of our characters end up there for different reasons and find themselves becoming a rather unusual and somewhat dysfunctional family (but a family none the less).
I really enjoyed the movie; it was both funny and moving. I found the character’s stories interesting and I cared whether or not their problems would be resolved. It is so important to have characters that you actually care about, not all films pull that off, but this one did. All of the actors were relatively unknown and inexperienced, but I thought they all did a great job.
The “making of” feature was very interesting. Basically, John Cameron Mitchell (the writer/director) didn’t begin writing the story until all the main rolls were cast. Then they all worked together, through improv workshops, in order to develop the characters and storylines. You could see what a safe/loving environment they developed together and it really comes through when you watch the movie.
Some of my favorite scenes (without being too spoilery):
At “Shortbus” Ceth’s “Yenta” (his electronic matchmaker) accidentally messes up an old man’s pacemaker. He apologizes and starts up a conversation with the man. It turns out he is the former Mayor of New York City. It is such a moving scene and is so touching when Ceth (all teary eyed) comforts the elderly man by kissing him and then holding him.
When the two Jamies bring Ceth home with them. They want to open up their relationship by adding other people to the mix, hoping it will help to work through some of their problems. The scene is awkward, funny and sweet all at once. I love the part where Ceth plays guitar and sings “Soda Shop” (it’s an original song of Jays) for them. Eventually, they get to the actual three-way, let me just say you will never think of “The Star Spangled Banner” in the same way again.
Severin and James are in the closet together for five minutes, due to a spin the bottle dare. They find they have much more in common than they ever thought. It’s a very emotional bonding moment.
Some of my favorite quotes:
Jamie – “I mean there’s a lot of good and cute people in the world who don’t have any love in their lives and I think we could help them. I mean, I love cute people.”
Sofia – “Jamie, that’s actually called a false epiphany.”
Jamie – “Oh, come on, you just gave him a breakthrough!”
Sofia – “You don’t just dole out the breakthroughs.”
Sofia – “I’m preorgasmic.”
Justin Bond – “Do you know what a shortbus is?”
Sofia – “No.”
Justin Bond – “You’ve heard of the big school bus? Well, this is the short one. It’s the salon for the gifted and challenged.”
Justin Bond – “Here is the Sex-Not-Bombs room.”
Ceth – “You know the Jamies? I love the Jamies. They’re like the cutest couple in the whole world.”
Former Mayor – “Imagine if you grew up here … like I did. Home … can be very unforgiving.”
Ceth – “James. Can you actually use your other hand? Cuz, I usually kinda come at it from a different angle.”
Sofia – “I feel the delicate wisps of your receding hairline.”
Jamie – “Is that the first time that someone sang the National Anthem in your @ss?”
Ceth – “No.”
Sofia – “You are so far behind, you think you’re first.”
Severin – “That’s really funny because you’re a sex therapist and you can’t have an orgasm.”
Severin – “All right, you gotta pull the bus over. You’re not riding safely. Park.”
Ceth – “I’m totally in love with them, but together, not so much separately.”
In the “Sex-Not-Bombs” scene (basically lots of people having sex in the same room) James Cameron Mitchell is one of the people in the scene. He felt it would be hypocritical to expect the actors to perform in scenes like that, but to not participate himself.
Jan
P.S. Comments are welcomed. Scroll towards the bottom of the page (below the spoiler section) to where it says “Click Here to Make a Comment”. Or on entries from previous days there is a comment box.
Following is additional information about the movie that contains spoilers. If you don’t want to be spoiled don’t read any further.
I was really afraid James was going to succeed in killing himself. I was happy when Caleb got there in time and saved him. The scene was very haunting and intense.
The ending was wonderful. I liked how everyone is trying to deal with their problems in their own way, then the citywide blackout occurs. The all the lit candles at “Shortbus” become a beacon to them. They are all drawn there and find that together they can start healing and dealing with their individual demons. Justin Bond’s song “In the End” is wonderfully appropriate for the scene.
I wonder if Ceth, Caleb, Jamie and James are going to become a foursome now? It looks like it’s headed that way.
