tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841102662716104394.post2678194889476305732..comments2024-01-21T13:00:24.414+02:00Comments on Andy's Film World: Shortbus (USA, 2006)Andrejs Visockishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12090047327825904543noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841102662716104394.post-40257565955746147482023-08-28T04:02:52.362+03:002023-08-28T04:02:52.362+03:00Good readinngGood readinngThe Days get Sweeterhttps://thedaysgetsweeter.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841102662716104394.post-17677158791775586672007-10-20T13:06:00.000+03:002007-10-20T13:06:00.000+03:00For an excellent film that does a much better job ...For an excellent film that does a much better job of dealing with similar subjects of sexuality, relationships and intimacy, a better choice than this one would be "Boy Culture" (2006) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433350/) <BR/><BR/>Having just viewed the film, I couldn't help but compare it to Short Bus. Boy Culture is a film about similar issues, but by contrast the characters and plot are much better developed, and the film actually deals with the issues, instead of glossing over them and hiding behind gratuitous group sex scenes as Short Bus did.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02230901174959777877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-841102662716104394.post-45349917995079971832007-10-20T09:25:00.000+03:002007-10-20T09:25:00.000+03:00I had great hopes for this film, but was unfortuna...I had great hopes for this film, but was unfortunately disappointed. True, if we judge by mainstream American film and television, the film and its concept can be seen as groundbreaking in that it could be as a step toward chipping away at American puritanism and shedding some of the taboos about sex in American popular culture. In fact I think if one looks at actual real life in America one will find that it is not nearly as puritanical as portrayed in mass media. Therefore I think it is an exaggeration to say that the sex scenes required "courage" on the part of the actors/sextras involved, since if there is one place that does not retain these Puritan attitudes it is art schools in America.<BR/><BR/>I also disagree that this is "not a universally applicable film." While the specific storyline of a woman who has never had an orgasm in her life may not be relatable to all, the issue of female sexuality and attaining orgasm for women is definitely something that many could identify with. Furthermore, although not all of us may have made a pre-suicide video, the relationship issues that both of these couples are going through are definitely universally applicable - issues of intimacy, trust, depression, etc. We may not identify with the specific situations, but I think that many can relate to the overriding themes in contemporary culture that these stories represent.<BR/><BR/>While I do agree that this is a story of hope, despair and confusion, I would disagree that it is a film about forgiveness. As far as the main characters are concerned, there is not much to forgive. Rob is is not responsible for not "giving" Sofia an orgasm; in fact, he appears to be a loving and devoted husband, and should have won an Olympic medal for his decathlon sex romp in the beginning of the film. Nor is Jamie responsible for James' depression, and neither James nor Sophia blame their partners for their troubles. In fact, both couples seem to be very caring and devoted to one another. It's simply that James and Sofia have some very deep personal issues that only they themselves can solve. It seemed to me that their partners were rather understanding about the fact that they had to work them out themselves. Even Sophia and James don't seem to be asking themselves for forgiveness for their flaws - they try to deal with them, and seem to accept the fact that such problems are a natural part of life - we all have issues that we need to deal with and work through. I see neither how they seek nor find forgiveness in New York City.<BR/><BR/>If anything I think this is a film about the despair and loneliness of the human condition in a postmodern, post-postmodern, and post-9/11 world. In the cyber-age we have less and less human contact than ever, making human relationships and intimacy a relic of the past. James makes a suicide video to tell his partner in digital format what he cannot express in person. Their neighbour views them from afar, but can't have a personal interaction with them. This is most likely why Justin Bond says that the Shortbus Club is like the sixties, with less hope. What happens on the inside cannot be carried through to the outside world.<BR/><BR/>In many ways the way the film was made reflects the shallowness of everyday existence. Instead of really addressing these issues the story-line stopped short and did, in a Dr. Phil way, offer quick-fix solutions. Have anal sex, and then you will be able to allow someone to emotionally penetrate you. Participate in a threesome, and you'll lose your inhibitions and have an orgasm. Instead of developing these ideas in an intelligent manner, they were simply swept aside with superficial solutions. And then you have the happy Hollywood ending where everyone is singing and swaying together in unison, everyone smiling at each other - cue Jamie and James' entrance holding hands, cue Sophia and Rob's smile at each other, etc. I found it incredibly weak and actually rather cheesy, especially for a film that should be expected to go above and beyond a mainstream, Hollywood blockbuster ending.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately the only thing this film does manage to strip bare is the characters' physical bodies; the character and plot development doesn't go much further than that. I suppose in this way the film is an accurate reflection of the superficiality of post-modern, post-9/11 society. I agree that Justin Bond's performance of "In the End" is a total gem, and to my mind the lyrics of the song perfectly sum up the sentiments of the film. The pressure to be what others want of you and to perform comes from the knowledge that people are simply "waiting for a fall, for a flaw." But no matter how hard we try to live up to the impossible standards of modern society, "we all get it in the end." The song was a perfect ending to a very tragic film about the hopelessness of human existence, and the loss of any kind of humanity in present-day human relationships. You can have the best boyfriend in the world but despite all the love you are given it's still not enough, and thus the closest person to you is actually the most distant.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02230901174959777877noreply@blogger.com