HUMPDAY

US, 2009, 94 minutes, Colour.
Mark Duplass, Alycia Delmore, Joshua Leonard, Lynn Shelton.
Directed by Lynn Shelton.

Humpday is something of a provocative title. However, it is the theme which is provocative rather than the treatment.

The film focuses on two young friends, Ben and Andrew, who haven’t seen each other for a while. When they meet again, Ben is married and Andrew has come back from overseas. They go to a party, in a sexually open commune. There is a discussion about a pornographic festival and people in the commune wanting to make films to submit to the festival. As they drink more, Ben and Andrew become looser in their attitudes and agree to make a film of themselves having sex with each other. In the light of day, next day, there are various difficulties, especially Ben’s wife Anna who discovers what is in store and has a very strong hostile reaction. When the two men go to the hotel, the film moves more into conversation mode rather than any action, the men reflecting on the nature of male sexuality, relationships, commitment.

Mark Duplass who, with his brother Jay Duplass, have made a number of conversation films including The Puffy Chair, Bag Head, and with more well-known stars, Cyrus and Jeff Who Lives at Home, brings a certain professionalism as does Joshua Leonard.

On the whole this is a provocative film for discussion about sexuality, behaviour, moral stances – and it comes down very strongly on the men reaffirming their heterosexuality and Ben being committed to his marriage.

1. The title, the tone, provocative?

2. The small budget, the screenplay, the actors improvising, especially in the conversations?

3. The Seattle setting, homes, hotels? Realism?

4. The introduction to Ben and Anna, their marriage, the details of their life, family, hopes? Their personalities?

5. Andrew’s arrival, Andrew and his type, his past, friendship with Ben, Ben not going to the party, change of mind, free and easy? Ben walking out on Anna and her meal? The invitation to Ben and his not coming? Anna’s reaction?

6. The party, Anna and the pork shops, her anger, Ben, the women, the discussions about relationships, chatter, drink?

7. The Humpday festival, sexuality, pornography? And the excuse that these films were art rather than pornography? Andrew and Ben and their discussions, daring one another? The drink? The imagination of the film, their agreement, the plan, hotel, the friends egging them on?

8. Ben going home, the encounter with Anna? Her horror, the discussion in the morning, sexuality? Her reaction? The explanation?

9. The festival, Anna taking a different stance, encouraging Ben?

10. Ben and the arrival, the talk, the revelation, the shock, Ben and his reaction?

11. Anna and her comments, the proposal of the issue of freedom, her talking about her own experiences and Ben’s reaction?

12. The hotel, action, talk, behaviour, the men changing their minds, the awareness of friendship, not being forced?

13. Ben going home, Anna and the photo?

14. The film as a scenario for exploring sexuality, the reactions of men, of women, straight, gay? The film as judgmental or not?