Love & Sex (2000) Reviews

• A light hand on heavy stuff with excellent acting

  Screen-72000-07-21

  Valerie Breiman treats the subject of love and sex with almost the perfect balance. It remains funny and light while treading on some pretty heavy issues. I saw it at a film festival and it was a welcome relief from the heaviness of many of the other films shown. This was the first time I had noticed Famke Janssen and I said, "I'll watch out for her because she will surely get a bigger film." Sure enough, she showed up in a good role in X Men. This is a great date film, by the way, if your date is at all open-minded. Despite the "sex" in the title, there isn't much shown. The language is a little over-the-top.

• "Sex and Love" is one of my favorite romantic comedies of recent vintage.

  djexplorer2001-08-06

  "Sex and Love" is one of my favorite romantic comedies of recent vintage. It may in fact be may favorite. It is from a decidedly 30 something, as opposed to 20 something, point of view. There is no question that that helps define its sub-genre, and its maturity. I adore (and lust after) Framke Janssen, and deeply respect Jon Favreau. I was introduced to both by this movie. I have since gone looking for both in other films -- and have been rewarded in that quest. This film does indeed dispense with the sex wars stereotypes of the moment and deal with two individual characters. At the same time, neither is the polar opposite of the sex stereotype (which might itself actually be a play off of the expected). Framke is a semi-promiscuous, very sexy but also "too tall", somewhat depressive and quirky woman. Favreau is not very good looking (which women, especially more intelligent and more experienced women tend to not care so much about), intense, highly intelligent, and if anything too oriented towards early commitment. At the same time he seems to have a very strong and experimental sex drive. All in all, he is in many ways what elite level late 90's women say (at any rate) they want the most in men. But Jon develops a problem. Though he fights against it, he is in fact life experience jealous of Framke's 13 (as I remember) against his (rather amazing 3). (Both are very suppressed numbers, if you ask me.) He stays with women he sleeps with for six years. She hasn't had a relationship that lasted longer than six weeks, other than her high school French teacher (with a vanishingly small d**k). So one thing leads to another and they separate in a most friendly and civilized manner. Only to.... It is the detailed and very honest character development which makes this movie -- what it is all about. In fact it is a very "French" American romantic comedy -- set within a quintessentially American idiom. I'd love to see many more like this.

• Had promise, ended up just mildly enjoyable

  DrAmanda2003-05-30

  The screenplay was witty and had a sense of true comedic timing. The movie only showcases a bit of what the screenplay held.Valerie Breiman wrote a fantastic script, but her direction was somewhat lacking, and I felt that the actors did the best they could with what she gave them. There were some elements of great comedy, but the timing was just a BIT off. A more experienced director could have played up the many one liners and the countless funny moments from Kate's love life. The ending just sort of showed up, which was disappointing, and she could have worked more of the new article deadline into the story. And unfortunately, the one serious moment in the story (which was acted very well) was too short and it could have been explored more, and could have exhibited itself further in the story as something like that affects someone very deeply, even Kate. Jon Favreau is a very funny man and from what I've seen a pretty good actor. Famke Janssen, while best known as the best bad Bond Girl and Jean Grey from X-men, isn't known for her acting ability, having taken some roles in some very VERY bad movies. However, I think almost each and every time she makes a movie she gets better and better. This was the first time I'd seen her play something other than the one dimentional characters from her previous roles. I think that in 'Love and Sex' and also in the new 'X-2 X-Men United' she's starting to show some real acting chops, some true depth, indicating that she's more than just a former-model-turned-actress cliche. She turned out some very very funny scenes, but the director as I said earlier just missed out on the very jokes she had written. Hopefully, Ms. Janssen will start to get some meatier roles to play, based on the potential she showed here and the heart and soul she's brought to a comic book character for crying out loud. But that's another review and a completely different type of movie. I'd like to see her do more comedy. Ms. Brieman gave a decent 1st time out movie, it just could have been so much more. I still really enjoyed it and if I had the money I'd go buy it. I got the humor, and appreciated it, even though it was poorly put on the screen. Maybe its because I'm just as neurotic as Kate and Adam.

• & Relationships

  readams2002-11-29

  If you like intelligent, witty character-driven flicks, but aren't feeling up for anything too meaningful, you will probably enjoy this. The actors have great chemistry and the writing is often delightfully fresh.

• Delightfully uplifting reality....

  sommerrayne2006-06-06

  This film is an excellent example of what is good in Hollywood. The writing is inventive, never dull, but most importantly REALISTIC. No matter how tattered or tranquil your relationship history - you will connect with at least one of the characters. Both Jon and Famke are ultra believable and endearing characters. The plot line, direction, and semi-anti-climatic ending do not necessarily leave you wanting more but leave you feeling satisfied that you have just enjoyed one of the great indie films left out there. This IS a movie that most women will LOVE and some men (the ones greatly opposed to "chick flicks") will most likely not enjoy. Word to the wise, if you can get your guy to watch the first 10 minutes of this movie it is almost certain to be satisfying. Certainly one of my FAVORITE movies...