SLEEPING WITH OTHER PEOPLE

US, 2015, 101 minutes, Colour.
Jason Sudeikis, Alison Brie, Jason Mantzoukas, Margaret Odette, Amanda Peet Adam Scott, Natasha Lyonne Mark Blucas.
Directed by Leslye Headland.

The title is not particularly subtle and does indicate something of the theme of the film – though it underplays the most important part of the film, the difference between sexual activity and love.

This is in New York romantic comedy with a difference. It opens in 2002 on a college campus, an eccentric young woman, Lainey (she abhors being called Elaine) carrying on in a corridor, angry with the medical student with whom she wants to have sex. She is rescued by an onlooker, Jake, who takes her into his apartment, calms her down, they talk, and each, for the first time, has sex. They don’t see each other for another 12 years and then only by accident.

The bulk of the film takes place 12 years later. Lainey is still having an affair with the medical student who has now become an ultra-serious doctor, who has also become engaged. Lainey is still infatuated, bitterly disappointed, not handling things particularly well and her therapist advises her to go to a sex addicts’ meeting, a 12-step meeting. Jake, who now has a good job, has been inventive with his work, is a serial womaniser notices her. When they meet, they recognise each other, dwell on the memories.

What happens is not what we might expect in terms of their relationship – they continue acting according to the title of the film, but not with each other. Instead, they renew their friendship, which remains Platonic, deepening all the time, a genuine intimacy arising, their trusting each other, confiding in each other, relying on each other for their different personal crises.

The key to the film is this exploration of what this Platonic relationship means.

During this friendship, Lainey takes up with a businessman, thinking that this will be the solution – but he takes to her to a social where, who should be present but the doctor and his now pregnant wife. It is too much for her. In the meantime, Jake and his close friend, Xander, who has been married a long time to his wife, and they have a son, have been successful in business and have been bought out by Paula. Jake sits his sights on Paula. It seems to be a future, especially as he relates well to her son.

When Lainey goes interstate to study medicine, they both realise how much they miss each other, that they have genuinely fallen in love – and the challenges as to what are the consequences…

Alison Brie as Lainey and Jason Sudeikis as Jake convince us while they are on screen, especially in their living out the Platonic relationship.

The Lainey and Jake of 2002 could never believe that this is how they could be 12 years later – something which may make an impact on audiences in their 30s who may have gone through similar experiences and are being challenged to make decisions about their future lives.

To that extent, the film is something of a moral parable in an age of confused sexual morality and very frank expression of it.

1. A romantic comedy, but for audiences in their 30s? Memories of the 20s? Differences, difficulties, characters, changes in life? Issues of virginity, sex, partners? Discussions and confiding?

2. The title, as lived out by Lainey and Jake?

3. The theme of Platonic love, the contrast with sexual activity and anguish, something deeper, trust, developing, into love and a future?

4. The frank and explicit language, more familiar from real life than on the screen?

5. The beginning, 2002, the ages, Jake and his watching, Lainey, her carrying on, her reaction, her relationship with Matthew, Jake’s poor impression of him, boring? Lainey calming down, the discussions, the night together, talk, sex, not seeing each other for 12 years? The memories?

6. New York City, college, the meeting, the 12 steps, intertwining of lives, apartments, restaurants? The musical score?

7. Lainey, her affair with Matthew, his being uptight, going to visit him, getting into his office, his becoming engaged, the sexual encounter? His marrying? Lainey still stood in love with him, pining for him, activity on the rebound? Going to the 12 steps meeting on the advice of her therapist?

8. Jake, relationships, his job, success, partnership with the Xander, friendship with his wife and family? His relationships? The 12 years? Paula, the boss, the meetings, the contracts and signing, making the money, his advance and her?

9. Jake meeting with Lainey, the nature of their continued friendship, the encounters with other people, Lainey and the businessman, the effect of being with him, going to the social, Matthew and his wife and her pregnancy? Lainey sick and the clash with the wife? Jake, Paula, the date, the outings, her son and his taking to Jake?

10. Paula, her work, a future with Jake or not?

11. Xander, his wife, the party, Lainey and her calming the children, teaching them to dance?

12. The ups and downs of the Platonic relationship, talk, dependence, communication, sharing, the intimacy? Crises?

13. Lainey, deciding to go to college, medical studies, going away, the phone contacts?

14. Jake, needy, phoning Lainey, her return? The decision to marry, the wedding arrangements, the wedding dress in the streets, going to the hotel first?

15. The credits, Xander and his wife and their frank talk?

16. Audiences the same age identifying with the characters, the relationships, language, struggles?