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Shortbus
(2006)   
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Directed
by:
John Cameron
Mitchell |
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COUNTRY
USA |
GENRE
Drama/Comedy |
NORWEGIAN
TITLE
Shortbus |
RUNNING
TIME
101 minutes |
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Produced
by:
Howard Gertler
John
Cameron Mitchell
Tim Perell |
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Written by:
John Cameron
Mitchell |
Review
Pioneering
film critic Pauline Kael once said about her career that she was
honoured to have been working as a critic during the 1960s and '70s – a
time when she felt filmmakers still took risks and dared to make controversial
movies. I think my biggest compliment to John Cameron Mitchell's Shortbus
is that this is one such film that Kael would be happy to review. It is
a daring, groundbreaking and playful film about almost anything sexual – except the most ordinary.
The
power of Shortbus isn't about narrative, but about character and
situation. It's an inside look at a New York gay scene spiced up with
some heterosexuals here and there (though arguably not your average
types).
Mitchell is inventive and playful but most of all bold, as he includes
more graphic sex than in any other non-pornographic film I've ever seen.
What's good is the respect, warmth and carefreeness with which it is
presented. The performers seem to have a lot of fun too, with the level of
creativity maintained also in the sexual interactions themselves.
Unfortunately,
Mitchell isn't equally daring thematically as he is graphically. The
film touches on almost every possible sexual
theme, but most of it is either done a bit too neatly or with a lack of realism and
insight (the Sofia character being the least
authentic). Some characters (James, Jamie, Tobias) work much better than
others (Sofia, Rob, Severin), but the film maintains an edgy and amusing
dialogue throughout as well as some great visual compositions. This is where
Mitchell hits his peak. Alas, his all too neat and convenient wrap-up
ultimately makes Shortbus a tad too lightweight to make a truly lasting
emotional impact.
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