My Awkward Sexual Adventure

When you go see this film, you almost certainly know what you are going to get. However, my expectations of being low were conquered by an above average story and is decently uncliched. But my main problem with My Awkward Sexual Experience is the characters. They lean too far one way so it tries to tug at your emotional strings and this try-hard approach is too cringe worthy for a really pleasant viewing experience.

This film almost works perfectly, but the things that fail this film almost take it down. Characterisation and poor decisions by the filmmakers are almost devastating, but are saved by how original and different the storyline and plot are.

Have you ever been in love with your best friend? That's what we have here. Jordan loves Rachael because they have been best friends since childhood. Not a good reason to get married, but Jordan thinks it is only logical. After a breakup Jordan goes to the big city friend to get away and in the process is taken under the wing of a stripper who finds him drunk in an alley. A sexual awakening follows and the final decision on who is right for him.

I have watched a lot of romance movies and they are predictable plot-wise, just like westerns are predictable, but that doesn't mean they are bad because they offer nothing new. I found this movie a pleasant diversion for the time invested in watching. Sit back and enjoy and don't expect anything more than forgetting the present for now.

This film is about a man exploring his wild side with a stripper, after his girlfriend dumped him for being to mild.

Despite its title, "My Awkward Sexual Adventure" is more a romantic comedy than a raunchy comedy. It shows how a socially inept man trying to learn his skills to charm the ladies, with hilarious effects along the way. The girlfriend and the stripper have their personalities portrayed well, making a decision between the two is not difficult! The plot is explicit, with lots of kinky elements to help Jordan explore the wild side. The explicit sexual references are handled quite well, as they are presented at the right time; and do not come across as too contrived, in your face or gross. "My Awkward Sexual Adventure" is fun to watch.

In the first scene of "My Awkward Sexual Adventure" the Jordan (Jonas Chernick) is making love to his girlfriend Rachel (Sarah Manninen) in such an impassioned and mechanical way that she falls asleep (who wouldn't). The obvious break-up follows; she needs more passion and different sexual experiences.

As sad as it seems; these five opening minutes of the movie are the smartest, funny moments I saw in a movie this side of the Atlantic. There are no stupid or dumb or scatological jokes involved; simple a few utterly realistic but absurd moments and dialogs.

Jordan is not a dumb or clumsy person (well it has a few moments). He is an accountant with all the insecurities, limitations, fears and lack of commitment of a person living by the numbers. He needs Rachel to be with him; sex is not that important.

He has to go, on his planned vacation to Toronto, alone (the scene at the airport is another masterpiece) to visit his pal Dandak (Vik Sahay always funny) who offers to be his sexual mentor against Jordan will.

After a few comical situations; Jordan ends in an strip club trying to get a sexy photo with a beautiful girl to make Rachel (who is having a very sexual and orgiastic vacation) jealous. By Karma, meets Julia (Emily Hampshire) a stripper, sweet but very disorganized; totally against checking even her bills; basically his opposite.

He soon realizes that without loosing up; his future with Rachel is dead; he ask Julia for a crash course on freedom, taboos and sex. What follows are the different chapters of Jordan education process.

It is pretty obvious how things will end; but every chapter that follows is staged with intelligence and good taste; but do not even think the movie is tame; it just has good taste. There is plenty of nudity male and female but never out of context. In fact, one of the funniest scenes in the movie it is likely to be too much for MPAA but it will be a real sin to cut.

Acting is superb; Jonas Chernick (also producer and writer) is a seriously funny person; he improves after his experiences but is still the same person a little more confident. Sarah Manninen handles the bitch girlfriend character with class. She just an insecure person that is never sure what she really wants. Emily Hampshire as the stripper, is able to be tender but strong; enough to fall in love with her.

I hope this movie gets distribution in USA and UNCUT. It is really a surprise that a not so original story could be handled with such an intelligent way.

Having said that, whilst it is not up to the same comedic level of Night Shift, it is very watchable and you get some great cunnilingus tips!

It does pile on a few in-vogue and improbable cliches, like the stripper is surprise surprise in the wrong profession (cue to reform and get out of the game). She is an amazing cook with a very specific fetish on Australian produce (understandable as it is good), who if she could only get a commercial kitchen would become a successful commercial chef. Like cooking for 2 or 200... eh! All the same.

In the end though I enjoyed it, would even watch it again, and this time take sex tip notes. :)