SEX TAPE – The Review

We’re just past the Summer mid-point and the tide of rated R for “raunchy” feature films rolls on. So far, we’ve gotten a visit from Melissa McCarthy with TAMMY and Seth McFarlane starring in (not just his voice like TED) A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST. We started early in May with the team captain of the Apatow squad, Seth Rogan in the hit NEIGHBORS. And we’ve even had a sequel with the return of Joanh and Channing in 22 JUMP STREET. This new flick is unique, because it’s more of a reunion than sequel. Three years ago director Jake Kasdan (ORANGE COUNTY) teamed with Jason Segal (another member of the Apatow frat) and Cameron Diaz (co-star of that milestone of “R” comedy hits, THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY)  for the box office hit BAD TEACHER. Now there’s a sequel in the works for that and it inspired a short-lived TV series earlier this year (much toned down, of course). Now the trio’s back together for the very different, but still very adult, SEX TAPE.  Can the flick live up to that oh-so naughty title? Let’s pop it in and press play…

As the film begins, Annie (Diaz) is typing away at the hit “mommy-centered” blog that she created, wistfully remembering those college days of constant love-making with Jay (Segal). But it seems that once they settled down, married, and started a family things have cooled off considerably in the boudoir. They still love each other, but they can’t quite co-ordinate things. During a typical hectic morning, they try to get their two kids ready for school. Jay will drop them off on the way to his dream job at a big radio station (and the perks: free concerts and brand new ipads so he can give away the old ones as gifts to friends and family). Annie’s off to a meeting with the head of a big toy company, Hank (Rob Lowe), who wants to buy her blog. The meeting goes so well, that Annie decides to celebrate. When Jay gets home, a barely clothed Annie reveals that the kids are staying overnight at her parents (much to Jay’s delight). But things aren’t going as well as they hoped. Then Annie hatches a plan! After numerous shots of tequilla, they’ll recreate all the positions from their battered old copy of “The Joy of Sex”, and tape it with Jay’s new ipad. The happy and hung over  duo wake up the next morning and plan their son’s fourth grade graduation party. After the party, disaster strikes. Jay gets a text from an unknown number thanking him for the sex video. The shock continues as Jay realizes that his ipad shared the file with all the old ipads he gave out as gifts. He and Annie spend most of the night frantically tracking down the ipads in order to save their reputations and prevent the blog deal from being squelched. And who sent that text?!

Diaz once again displays her exceptional comedic skills. She can handle a pratfall with ease and switch gears almost immediately to go into full blonde bombshell mode. Adding to her repertoire in this outing is her slow angry burn that smolders into full exasperation. Diaz has a most comfortable chemistry with Segal who excels at slapstick especially in a manic chase with an angry dog. He’s ecstatic when he believes that he’s alluded the snarling beast, but quickly changes to panic as the pup reveals another skill (he may be part feline since he seems to have nine lives). Poor Jay is literally put through the ringer, with wounds that don’t heal completely in the following scene. Over all, Segal still projects a child-like quality that inspires us to root for him as he faces every challenge. Just like Lucy and Ricky had Ethel and Fred, Annie and Jay have their own best couple pals in the wonderful Ellie Kemper and Rob Corddry as long-time, bored marrieds Tess and Robby whose own marriage gets a shot of excitement from their friends’ predicament. But as terrific as the whole cast is, the movie’s MVP may be Lowe as the wealthy goofball that is very happy to expose his wild side to the shocked couple. His joyful silliness is most infectious. I’d love to see a spin-off/sequel all about this billionaire doofus.

Director Kasdan keeps the energy level high right from the start with the expert physical hijinks of the college years. We wonder if Annie and Jay fit in all their classes in between their nearly non-stop bedroom gymnastics. Later the sequence at Hank’s estate piles on the gags particularly with Hank’s odd art collection. This may be thanks to the surprisingly clever script by Kasdan, star Segal, Nicholas Stoller, and Kate Angelo. Unfortunately they seem to have the same difficulty as many other comedy writers in coming up with a strong final act. A surprise guest comedy superstar enlivens things a bit, but the film doesn’t quite know when to stop. Just as we believe the final fade-out is on the way, here comes another bit of business. But even though they have trouble making a graceful exit, there’s still plenty of great laughs and inspired performances (thanks again, Mr. Lowe!) that make SEX TAPE one of this Summer’s most consistently hilarious flicks.

4 Out of 5