Sex and Death 101

Title: Sex and Death 101
Rating: 3.5/5
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Starring: Simon Baker, Winona Ryder

"I'm certain that some very interesting things will occur this evening... your penis going into her vagina will not be one of them. But have a lovely evening."

I suppose calling this a Comedy/Drama doesn’t entirely fit. Whilst there are some truly comic moments, they aren’t featured prominently enough to feel like a comedy film. Likewise, calling it a drama doesn’t feel accurate as there isn’t really any drama to speak of, far too light in atmosphere to produce any real tension. Both terms certainly apply in the context of describing the style of film produced, but in truth this feels like something else entirely. Of all the genres I can name ‘adventure’ feels the only one fitting in a literal sense (though of course, not in the context of the established genre), relying on an interesting story to keep your interest, and with something as unusual as this it inevitably succeeds in that regard.

The story chronicles the journey of Roderick Blank, a seemingly content man soon to be wed, when out of the blue a list of 101 names is anonymously sent to his computer by e-mail. It doesn’t take him long to realise it contains (in order) not only every woman he has ever slept with, but also every woman he ever will sleep with. In light of this discovery, it sends him hurtling towards an addiction, to find the next name on the list in order to cross it off. Along his journey we touch upon the notion of destiny, of ‘the one that got away,’ and of course, what happens when the list ends?

The dialogue doesn’t feel particularly strong, but the plot itself is wonderfully worked so as to suggest these ethical dilemmas, whilst neither spoon-feeding nor forcing them upon the viewer; the light-hearted tone lending itself to prevent the atmosphere ever becoming too serious, and naturally results in some comical situations. The budget feels more than adequate given the lack of effects, and the acting is for the most part realistic. The focus clearly on Mr. Blank, doing a good (but not notably so) job of working as the narrator in this tale, with some excellent support, notably from good friend Zack (Neil Flynn – known for playing the Janitor from ‘Scrubs’) and one of the ‘keepers’ of the machine responsible for the lists creation, Fred (Patton Oswalt – ‘Spence’ from ‘King of Queens’), who all maintain a certain flow throughout the scenes. In addition to this is the fascinating and mesmerising character of ‘Death Nell,’ (Winona Ryder), who I am unsure if to praise the script, director or actress in her creation, capable of stealing her - all to infrequent - scenes whilst remaining innocuous for the majority of the film.

Those looking for a porno have come to the wrong place, almost completely absent of nudity (despite the expected large number of sex scenes) instead focussing on the meaning behind the action. It’s not without its faults of course; the machines concept is poorly explained and rather unbelievable (though this isn’t dwelled on), and the inclusion of ‘Death Nell’ resulting in the inevitability that at some point their paths will cross constitutes another drawback. But despite these oversights, this film explores the range of emotions that would be felt in such a situation including guilt, arrogance, desperation and defiance. This film is an excellent escapist fantasy, filled with lesbians, porn stars and school girls in short dresses, capable of making you ponder, fantasise and laugh.