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16/9/2008
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Scenes of a Sexual Nature (2006)
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A gay couple discussing adoption, the most amicable divorce in history, a husband caught ogling a pretty young woman: a few of the scenes that unfold on Hampstead Heath one hot summer day. The camera flutters through the park, taking in little two or three character vignettes, some of which overlap. The segment with Eileen Atkins and Benjamin Whitrow as one-time lovers who meet by chance after fifty years acts as the backbone of the film; we re-visit this couple most frequently, their discussions about the things that they have learned about life and love acting as a sort of commentary on the other stories we see.
Scenes of a Sexual Nature feels like it could’ve been based on a play – its single location, few props and talky nature feel very theatrical – but it was, in fact, an original screenplay conceived by director Ed Blum and writer Aschlin Ditta as an ultra-low-budget film that would have a good chance of actually getting made. Given its modest beginnings, Scenes of a Sexual Nature has an astoundingly impressive cast list: Ewan McGregor, Mark Strong, Sophie Okonedo, Catherine Tate, Hugh Bonneville, to name just some of the famous (or at least recognisable) faces that pepper this film. That they apparently all worked for Equity minimum and a percentage of possible profit is even more heartening.
It’s a shame to say, then, that Scenes of a Sexual Nature is a good film but by no means great. The device that got it made is actually what prevents it from being truly satisfying as a viewing experience. By getting such small snippets of these people’s lives, the audience is left short-changed; obviously some of the characters and situations are more intriguing than others, so while certain segments feel frustratingly short, others get more screen time than they deserve.
The cast are all good, the actors clearly savouring the intelligent script and the opportunity to be involved with a film that does things a little differently. Tom Hardy’s Noel is hilarious and deserves a film of his own, while Hugh Bonneville and Gina McKee make the most of their short scene together as two awkward singletons on a blind date. Sophie Okonedo is certainly memorable, but that might have something to do with her character’s bizarre behaviour, and Mark Strong and Polly Walker are both excellent in tricky roles. It’s arguably the biggest ‘name’, Ewan McGregor, who struggles with his character, camping it up a little too much as one half of a gay couple.
At 91 minutes, Scenes of a Sexual Nature doesn’t outstay its welcome. It has an original idea, some great dialogue, and a host of talented actors. It’s a nice film, and an undemanding watch, but just not as good as it could have been.
Review by Catherine Leopold
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