Reading the reviews for this film, which range from very positive to strongly negative, I was intrigued to see what the disagreement was all about. After seeing it (and it wasn't easy, as it was a bit of a drive to the nearest theater showing it), I fully understand what it was that divided the critics. For the haters, it seems they assumed a film with the word 'orgy' in the game (for some reason they ignored the 'good old-fashioned' which made it clearly intentionally silly) would have to be a dumb, sex-filled romp. When it turned out to be a really smart and sweet exploration of friendship through the device of group sex, with minimal raunch, there seems to have been confusion and even anger. For those who didn't search the film funny, I have no concept what film they saw. The screening I went to was packed with laughs, but the film now goes a lot further than just hitting the comedy (which it does brilliantly). It's a generational film about adults who grew up in the shadow of AIDS, ergo a sex comedy about folks who are scared of sex. The more we receive to know the group of friends, the more we care about them and their journeys, in addition to the comedy of a group of neurotic Fresh Yorkers trying to pull together a night of reckless sexual abandon. It works on multiple lvls and is far smarter than you might expect it to be (which is what a lot of the positive reviews have pointed out).I'd compare this film more to The Large Chill than one of the American Pies, and the cast is one of the strongest ensemble comedy casts to come along since Dazed and Confused. It's a film folks are going to be watching and talking about for years to come, so check it out actually while it's still in theaters because seeing it with an audience really adds to the experience.
A Nice Old Fashioned Orgy stars Jason Sudekis as Eric, a 30-something loser who's never quite grown up. Him and his buddies, including Duquez (Martin Starr), Adam (Nick Kroll), McCudden (Tyler Labine), Willow (Angela Sarafyan) and Alison (Lake Bell) among others search out that Eric's dad is selling the beach house in which all of their ludicrous parties take place. When Eric figures this out, he wants to throw a final labor day bash, a party so ridiculous that it will create all their another parties look mellow. So Eric and McCudden decide to have an orgy with them and their closest friends. This plot is about as raunchy of a plot as you can get, and I am glad to be sitting here saying you that A Nice Old Fashioned Orgy delivers on this premise. With so many comedies this year like Terrible Teacher and Hall Pass really holding back the raunchiness and trying to enjoy it safe, it's refreshing to see a movie that just goes for it. This movie isn't as raunchy as some might expect from its title, but it's cute damn raunchy, as well as daring, funny, likable, and even a bit touching. Everyone in the cast, from Sudekis to Starr to Bell to Sarafyan to Labine is hilarious, and there's not a terrible hero in the film. Will Forte and Lucy Punch enjoy newlyweds with a child who the group decides not to invite to the orgy, and they're nice as well. Now, while this movie is probably the funniest movie of the year so far, it's cute predictable. That's my only VERY minor complaint with the film. Overall, if you like any of these cast members and you like your comedies raunchy and daring, then go check out A Nice Old Fashioned Orgy.
Folks are really split on this movie. The haters are all either folks who are offended by the concept of group sex, annoyed there wasn't more T&A, or (strangely) both. They seem to forget that this is a comedy, and a comedy could be rated by one thing only: how funny it is. This was really really funny.I don't know how a film like Hall Pass which had at most 5 laugh out loud lines should do better than Orgy which had at least 50. Just goes to present that film success is based more on marketing than anything else.The one criticism I have is it suffers a tiny Ferris Beuller-itis. Am I really supposed to root for this spoiled white rich kid? Once the film gets going though you quickly forget this and just keep on for the "ride."
Soundtrack
