Sex Tape

Review By: John Delia

It’s a wild romp of love making in the newest hard R rated film Sex Tape.  The funny little comedy shows what can happen when you find yourself loosing track of a personal filming of a bedroom escapade.  Strictly for adults, the voyeuristic adventure is nicely directed and acted. If you do not blush easily, are not insulted by repeated offensive language, would like to get some pointers (now I just said that for effect) then grab your partner, girlfriends or a sex therapist and see Sex Tape.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you have lost the energy to keep your libido in tune with your partner’s needs? Well after several years of marriage it happens to Jay (Jason Segel) and Annie (Cameron Diaz), who from the first day they met have had an intense sexual connection.  Even with having children, the two couldn’t wait until they were alone to press the carnal button.  With hardly time now for sensuality between the two, they decide to revitalize what they used to have by making a sex movie using every position of the book “The Joy of Sex.” When their sex tape gets into the wrong hands, Jay and Annie go on a hunt to retrieve and destroy.

The movie gets a bit hysterical and madcap, maybe too much so that the film starts to drive itself into the ground. While the premise still exists throughout, most of the high jinx that follow their first encounter within the film become absurd.  Director Jake Kasdan (Bad Teacher) uses a lot of repeated crude sexual intimations that after a point work against his comedy instead of enhancing it.  I will admit that the first thirty minutes of the film are hilarious and are probably worth seeing just for the fact that it’s happening before your eyes. But as for artistic value it’s not, for what’s to follow in the next hour it’s not, and for the cost of admission maybe at matinee prices.

The two stars, Segel and Diaz are perfect for the naïve couple who look like they are really in love with each other and enjoying their sexual experiences.  Of course, it would be awfully hard to not want to make love with Cameron Diaz even if it’s probably not even her body in some of the more intimate scenes.  Gorgeous as ever, with a very amazing make up job that makes her look at least 10 to 15 years younger, Diaz glows in her role as Annie. As the film progresses, some of the make-up gets removed to show her aging process for most of the claptrap that follows. Regardless, Diaz is still one of the top most gorgeous women on the big screen today.

Segel puts his best foot forward taking a beating at every turn throughout the film.  He’s one of the best straight men in the business of comedy and here he shows why.  Delivering a very embarrassed, anxious and nervous Jay, he takes over the film for the last 30 minutes trying to put everything back the way it was before the tape hit ‘the cloud’.  He’s in control and saves the film from sinking below average.

Pushing the R rating to the brink, Sex Tape shows more love making in a few minutes than any other raunchy movie has since the MPAA has relaxed the ranking a few years back. I really don’t remember a comical display of sex in the bedroom, kitchen, living room and other residence rooms of late, but Segel and Diaz have epitomized it in this wacky movie.

Now, I’m not a prude, but the 21^st century has really relaxed moral values when it comes to intimacy on the screen.  What’s next, porno rated R? The rating includes the following wording: for strong sexual content, nudity, language and some drug use.  It’s questionable why the drug use in the film is made to look innocent and blameless however, just saying.

FINAL ANALYSIS:  Sexy funny, but vulgar brainless. (C )