A LITTLE SEX
US, 1982, 94 minutes, Colour.
Tim Matheson, Kate Capshaw, Edward Herrman, Wallace Shawn, John Glover.
Directed by Bruce Paltrow.
A Little Sex is a light comedy drama about love, commitment, sexuality. Tim Matheson and Kate Capshaw are a couple who have lived together - she wanting some commitment, he with a roving eye. Edward Herman is his brother with some wise advice.
The material is predictable enough. However, it is done with light verve, making its points about the key issues.
1.Light comedy, moral fable? The early '80s? American experience? Universal experience?
2.The title, the tone, the irony?
3.New York, the streets, schools and sport, the world of commercials? Authentic flavour? Life in the contemporary city? Musical score?
4.The focus on Michael: his situation, talking to Tom, receiving his advice, the issues of sex and promiscuity? His love for Katherine, the fruit, racing her? The proposal? Trying to be serious, the ring? His plans? Discussions with Tom at the picnic? The problem? The experiment with listing the women? The authenticity - with the comic touch?
5.Katherine, her work in the school, living with Michael for 10 months, sport and work? Her response to his proposal?
6.The wedding, its effect, their ordinary life together? Michael watching the girls? The wager with Tom? His initial failure, at the television station, his being caught by Katherine? His regret, the video story?
7.Katherine and her being hurt, leaving, confronting Michael with the truth, help from Walter, watching the video with the schoolchildren, the night with Walter and being caught?
8.Their discussions together, the possibilities of change, a future, facing the truth?
9.Tommy, his relationship with Michael, his help and advice? The bet? His story about Albert and Duke - and the two forces within Michael? The need for co-ordination and control?
10.Walter and his friendship with Katherine, his apartment, taking Katherine in, the relationship?
11.The various girls, relationships with Michael? The adultery in the television studio?
12.Work, temptations, his boss and his comments about relationships?
13.The video stories, Michael telling the story, learning by them?
14.Mirroring of contemporary society? Moral fable?
