A-

Surprisingly terrific film. It dragged a bit in the middle and some of the sex scenes were a little drawn out like a porno, but that's all that stops the film from being almost perfect. I have to say, this was one of the better murder-mysterys that I've seen in some time. It wasn't quite film noir, but it had a similar seductive feel. One thing I wasn't expecting coming in was that the production level would be so high. Unlike most DTVs, it looked as good or even better than most theatrical releases. The cinematography, editing, lighting, it was all top-notch and very clean and snazzy. It gave it an atmosphere that one it's own made the film much better than it would normally be. There was also great aspects added in like the overlapping narratives, and the 50s music and score. Bacon and Firth are impressive, and the lead while not quite up to their level does her job no less than she needed to. So yes, one of the bigger recent surprises for me. If anybodys looking to rent it, I'm telling ya it's not what the reputation and cover points to(which would be some sort of awkward slow porno). The movie is entertaining and fast-paced, having the slick and wow feel that the overrated Chinatown(yes) missed.

And the infamous NC-17 sex scene... I didn't see what so wrong with it. People have fucked in movies before, this wasn't anything more. It was just Bacon humping on top of her for about 10 seconds, and that's pretty much it. There wasn't even any penis or vagina visuals whatsoever. There's a scene earlier in the movie with one girl giving another head, but I don't believe that was the singled out scene because it wasn't a menage-a-trois, and again there's no visuals other than boobs there either. I seriously don't see what was the problem, unless it's about a different issue close to that scene... (won't say it though). If it is because of that issue, then fuck the MPAAs. We're supposed to be moving on in society, not taking steps backward like this.

According to a review I read (I think it was by James Berardenelli), that the reason why the film was NC-17/Unrated was because of the brief moment when Colin Firth humps up against Kevin Bacon in the threesome scene towards the end of the film (Is that the different issue you meant?). Even if that's true, the film shouldn't have recieved the rating.

My biggest problem with the film, besides it being too drawn out and seeming too long midway through, was the fact that Alison Lohman was just too young to play her role, and had that all too innocent look about her. I think someone in their late twenties and without that look so much would've been better suited. I also didn't enjoy the voiceovers. It's still a decent film though.

B-

Yeah, that was what I meant. I mean, you don't see anything, and it lasts about 3 seconds. It's worse in Brokeback Mountain and (almost) Pulp Fiction. It was an unfair call I would say by a mile.

Guys, I doubt that scene was the one that scored it its NC-17. There's some stuff that's a whole lot heavier than that (when Colin Firth drugs Lohman's character, etc.). But yeah, regardless, it probably could have slipped by with an R.

I think the film is just an extremely fun watch (just like The Sweet Hereafter!). Sleek, stylish, and not so bogged down in fulfilling its own noir-iness.

I think Alison Lohman was an odd choice for the lead, but I actually think her performance works and maybe even adds a quirky layer or two to the film. She's good, I say.

A-/B+

So if I've already seen all the sex scenes online, is the rest of the movie still worth watching? (I didn't particularly care for Atom Egoyan's The Sweet Hereafter)

Yes. The strangely too long and porno-like sex scenes was part of what brought the film down for me.

It didn't have that much to warrant an NC-17, but oh well. I liked it. It's a nice little murder/mystery with a solid performance by Alison Lohman, I thought.

B