MOVIE REVIEW
MY YEAR WITHOUT SEX
Australian sex comedies in the 1970's revelled in physical manifestations. Going further than Britain’s Carry On series, films like Alvin Purple had a gritty realism amongst its outlandish sexcapades. These days film-makers seem keen on exploring emotional sides whilst still having some quirky fun. My Year Without Sex is a charming addition to the genre showing how enfor
ced chastity can change a family's dynamics.
Natalie (Sacha Horler) is a loving mum happily married to Ross (Matt Day). Upon visiting her doctor, she suddenly collapses due to a brain embolism. After spending weeks recovering in hospital, she is instructed to momentarily abstain from any strenuous activity - including sex. Attempting to establish new parameters in their relationships, the arrival of female priest Margaret (Maude Davey), gives added strength to cope without the three letter worded craving.
Making mundane situations entertaining can sometimes be difficult. Celebrating her characters ordinary lives, dir
ector Sarah Watt succeeds by interweaving a truthful honesty in their development. Although 'going on a journey' can be a hackneyed phrase, it's easy to do so here with people refusing to surrender to illness. Anyone who has lived through these moments should find much to relate with the frustration in trying to re-engage with normal life well articulated by its strong cast. It's often the ability to overcome such hurdles that shows the strength of a person and of a family learning to deal with their situation.
Watt's story-telling skills can be seen in the script's added subtexts. In examining the increasing sexualisation of society and the over-stimulation of constant visual distractions, she shows how these elements can increase someone's stress. By giving in to the barrage of consumerism there is the danger that, like her characters, we lose some of our emotional needs. In spite of some occasionally predictable sequences, the family's re-evaluation of their existence help maintain some much needed authenticity. These themes are mixed in an engaging blend proving the best comedy 
is drawn naturally from everyday surroundings.
Performed by a fine ensemble and avoiding the traps of mawkish melodrama, My Year Without Sex is a diverting essay in defying illness. It also shows how the sea-change between the portrayal of sex and comedy in Australian cinema has grown from the salacious antics of nearly forty years ago.
Movie Review Rating 7 / 10
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
Official My Year Without Sex home page click here.
My Year Without Sex released in Australia on Thursday 28th May 2009.
If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review My Year Without Sex
Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.
ced chastity can change a family's dynamics.
Natalie (Sacha Horler) is a loving mum happily married to Ross (Matt Day). Upon visiting her doctor, she suddenly collapses due to a brain embolism. After spending weeks recovering in hospital, she is instructed to momentarily abstain from any strenuous activity - including sex. Attempting to establish new parameters in their relationships, the arrival of female priest Margaret (Maude Davey), gives added strength to cope without the three letter worded craving.
Making mundane situations entertaining can sometimes be difficult. Celebrating her characters ordinary lives, dir
ector Sarah Watt succeeds by interweaving a truthful honesty in their development. Although 'going on a journey' can be a hackneyed phrase, it's easy to do so here with people refusing to surrender to illness. Anyone who has lived through these moments should find much to relate with the frustration in trying to re-engage with normal life well articulated by its strong cast. It's often the ability to overcome such hurdles that shows the strength of a person and of a family learning to deal with their situation.
Watt's story-telling skills can be seen in the script's added subtexts. In examining the increasing sexualisation of society and the over-stimulation of constant visual distractions, she shows how these elements can increase someone's stress. By giving in to the barrage of consumerism there is the danger that, like her characters, we lose some of our emotional needs. In spite of some occasionally predictable sequences, the family's re-evaluation of their existence help maintain some much needed authenticity. These themes are mixed in an engaging blend proving the best comedy 
is drawn naturally from everyday surroundings.
Performed by a fine ensemble and avoiding the traps of mawkish melodrama, My Year Without Sex is a diverting essay in defying illness. It also shows how the sea-change between the portrayal of sex and comedy in Australian cinema has grown from the salacious antics of nearly forty years ago.
Movie Review Rating 7 / 10
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
Official My Year Without Sex home page click here.
My Year Without Sex released in Australia on Thursday 28th May 2009.
If you have any comments to make about this Movie Review, then please use the comment box, titling your comments with Movie Review My Year Without Sex
Patrick Moore's Movie Review is an alternative look at current movie releases in Australia.
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