A GUIDE TO 2nd DATE SEX
UK, 2019, 81 minutes, Colour.
George Mac Kay, Alexandra Roach, Emma Rigby, Michael Socha, Tom Bell, Kae Alexander.
Directed by Rachel Hirons.
The title says it all – in terms of realism or, really, in terms of irony!
This brief film is based on a stage play by the director, Rachel Hirons. It is certainly geared to audiences who are the same age as the central characters, in their late 20s, having experienced some time in relationships but also in experiencing build relationships. And the question arises will they meet the right person for their life partner, and for sexual encounters.
The film is strong on dialogue, most of the action taking place in a London flat, upstairs and downstairs.
George Mac Kay has proved his strong screen presence for over a decade, making it this time The True Story of the Kelly Gang as well as in 1917. Alexandra Roach provides a strong foil to him.
As has been said, for the age group of the characters – those older will wonder what all the fuss is about!
1. The title? The tone? A synopsis?
2. The London flat, most of the film in the flat, upstairs and downstairs? The club sequences? Laura at home? The musical score?
3. The target audience? Those of the same age as the characters? Issues of people in their 20s?
4. The voice-over, commentary about relationships, dating, sex?
5. Ryan and Laura, their age, relationships, late 20s? The meeting at the club, clicking, the conversation, the drinking, the possibility of a second date?
6. Ryan, his story, the breakup, discovering Dan with his girlfriend, her easy-going attitude? His being hurt? Dan urging him on? The possibility for the second date? His reticence, awkwardness? Believing Dan? The invitation, Laura’s arrival, the awkwardness, her thinking they were going out, for the curry? Staying at home? The ups and downs of the conversation? The sexual encounter and the consequences? The girlfriend’s arrival, Ryan saying it was his father, the situation exposed? Dan arriving home, his girlfriend and their relationship, pregnant? Laura upset, leaving, his going after her, the reconciliation in the street? The return? The future?
7. Laura, her past boyfriend, the relationship, his sexual issues, orientation? The separation? Dating? The encounter with Ryan, responding? At home in Wales, getting tips from her girlfriend? Going on the date, nervous, the encounter with Ryan, at home, the ups and downs of the conversation, the sexual encounter, the consequences? Dan and his girlfriend? The ex-girlfriend – and the revelation that she was her friend who had given her the tips? Leaving, lost sense of direction in the street? Ryan coming after her?
8. The sketch of Dan, the womaniser and his advice? Adam, his sharing the apartment, the comedy and the sudden appearances and disappearances? The former girlfriend, relationship with Dan, wanting to reconcile, imposing herself on Ryan, the shock of discovering Laura?
9. A brief film, for the target audience, the issues, serious, comic?
