Love & Sex (2000)

Directed by: Valerie Breiman | 85 minutes | drama, comedy, romance | Actors: Famke Janssen, Jon Favreau, Noah Emmerich, Ann Magnuson, Cheri Oteri, Josh Hopkins, Robert Knepper, Vincent Ventresca, Kristen Zang, David Steinberg, Elimu Nelson, Don Brunner, Yvonne Zima, Melissa Fitzgerald, Rob Swanson, Will Rothhaar, Rance Howard, Angela Marsden, Troy Blendell, Nicolette Little

Let’s face it, there are few topics that capture the imagination more than love and sex. That’s why it’s a smart marketing move to release a movie called ‘Love & Sex’. Strike a few charming actors for the lead roles and success seems assured. Seems, because unfortunately ‘Love & Sex’ is not a hit. It’s not the protagonists’ fault, they put their best foot forward. Famke Janssen shows that she is rightly Dutch pride in Hollywood and although her opponent Jon Favreau has to make do with a less imposing appearance, he also steals your heart with his blunt humor. The chemistry between Famke and Favreau is completely fine. It is therefore not surprising that Janssen has fond memories of this friendly little film, which she affectionately calls her “baby”.

So what’s wrong with ‘Love & Sex’? Ironically, the title is the culprit. When you watch a movie called Love & Sex, you expect… love and sex. Sharp observations about relationships and romance, interspersed with blistering shots. Longing looks, the curve of a buttock, a popping nipple… Unfortunately, you can wait a long time, because what is the most spectacular thing Kate does under the sheets? She farts. A funny, intimate and recognizable moment, but not the kind of fireworks that the male fans of Famke Janssen hope for. Kate prefers to go from the bottom to her underwear: an art invented by characters on soap operas. And even if she takes a naughty trip to the sex shop after being dumped, you won’t believe for a moment that she actually intends to use the merchandise on display.

The romantic side of the film is elaborated a lot better by director and screenwriter Valerie Breiman, although there are few surprises here either. ‘Love & Sex’ follows the well-trodden paths of the romkom: woman meets man and infatuation strikes, quickly followed by the first irritations. Husband and wife split up, but after a while they discover that they are… The end can be guessed. The message of ‘Love & Sex’ is that even the best relationships fall prey to routine and that it sometimes takes a while before the right one is right for you. Of course it is clear to the viewer after fifteen minutes who Mr. Right is, even if it threatens to go completely wrong. What applies to the characters also applies to the actors: the combination of Famke Janssen with other male opponents is not nearly as fun.

‘Love & Sex’ suggests to be a modern sex comedy, but in terms of spice and sharpness it loses out to the average episode of ‘Sex and the City’, a series that does live up to its title. So why three stars? Because Favreau is so disarming that even the remark ‘you look like a whore’ could pass for an attempt at seduction. Because a radiant Janssen proves that she is capable of carrying a film (why isn’t this actress more often assigned leading roles?). And because the denouement is terribly predictable yet satisfying, purely because you wish the characters the best. ‘Love & Sex’ probably won’t cause earthquakes in the bedroom, but if you settle on the couch with your lover, you’re sure to have a nice evening.