Shortbus (John Cameron Mitchell, 2006)
As I was starting to watch this film (second viewing), it struck me. This is essentially a narrative film adaptation of Dan Savage’s multimedia universe of sex and relationship advice. And I love his work so perhaps it is no surprise I love this film, which I consider better than Hedwig. If you’ve read/listened to Savage’s stuff, it captures the rich diversity of sexual fetishes and peccadilloes that in many ways drive people. It is not for the faint of heart. As one might expect based on that kind of unofficial source material, this is perhaps the most sexually explicit mainstream film ever. It is a catalog of unsimulated, unconventional sexual activity. But unlike many films that use this simply to draw in lecherous eyes, Shortbus really makes it work to further the story.
Anyway, the film starts with a sort of helicopter trip around an animated NYC, peeking into windows to see a variety of people engaged in sexual activity. Eventually, we are introduced to a nightclub, Shortbus, where all manner of attractive, young people interested in alternate lifestyles gather. Basically the film is just watching all the characters interact. The dialogue here, not sure how much is ad lib, feels so natural and funny. I just love spending 100 minutes in this group of people. I’d actually compare it with Linklater’s style of flowing conversations around a theme.
Given the content of the film, I feel hesitant to recommend it despite my own love for the film. It takes someone with an extraordinarily open mind and high tolerance for sexual material. In this way, I think Hedwig serves as a useful test. If one finds Hedwig to be pushing the borders of good taste or acceptability, steer clear of Shortbus. Of course, there is a line “voyeurism is a form of participation” and I think that goes straight out to the viewer, no matter how they use this film, saying that by observing it, they are in their own way a part of the film and there is a kind of magic to that. It was already in my top 100, but after this viewing it will be climbing higher.
Rating: 5/5