CASUAL SEX?

US, 1988, 97 minutes, Colour.
Lea Thompson, Victoria Jackson.
Directed by Genevieve Robert.

Casual Sex? is a with-it sex comedy of the late '80s. Based on an early '80s play about promiscuity, the film has been adapted for the screen in view of the AIDS situation. A question mark was also added to the title.

The film keeps some of the devices of the play: the focus on the two central characters, their reminiscences about the past from a stage, the staging of their dreams. The film is fairly frank in its treatment of '80s attitudes towards sexuality, AIDS, contraception. However, it also highlights the nature of relationships and commitment. It is one of those films which tries to have its cake and eat it - presenting its questions dramatically with a touch of exploitation as well as trying to make points.

1.The title, expectation, a film of the '80s, reflecting permissiveness, the reality of AIDS?

2.The American cities, lifestyle, the holiday resort? The songs and the rock 'n roll background?

3.The adaptation of the play for the screen? Stylised effects, the speeches of the two girls, the dark backgrounds, the soliloquies, their speaking to the audience, the dreams, the frank talk?

4.The memories of the early '80s, young women and their attitudes towards sex, the girls in themselves, their values, the nature of their relationships, remembering the boys and the sexual encounters, the contrast with the visualising of their dreams - and how they helped the boys?

5.Discussion about relationships, commitment, insufficient relationships, their effect? Promiscuity and AIDS? The test, Stacey's prayer, the advocate of safe sex?

6.The personalities of Stacey and Melissa? Their friendship? Communication, discussion about sex and relationships? Their hopes in going to the resort, impressions, exercise, socials, massage, etc? The effect of the holiday on each of them? Stacey and her friendship with Nick, his singing, the encounters with Vinnie, especially being landed with him as partner? Melissa and Matthew, his psychological background, advances, pushing him into the pool? The friendship with Jamie and the massages, talking? The sexual encounters with Vinnie, their talking?

7.Melissa and the experience of futility, the decision to leave, Jamie coming after her, her relationship with him, the return to the resort, the finale?

8.Stacey and Nick, concern about his music, worry about Melissa, their leaving, going back to the city, sharing the apartment, Stacey's realisation that it was impossible, Nick's career and his self-preoccupation? Stacey growing up, relationship with Vinnie? The finale?

9.The return from the resort, the change, the passing of time, marriages and family?

10.The sketch of people at the resort, their expectations, dating, sexual encounters, consequences? The effect of permissiveness?

11.The film's moral tone? The touch of exploitation with the touch of message?