My Awkward Sexual Adventure

By Christopher Redmond

Mailed on April 29, 2013


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Dear Government of Canada
Financial Supporter

Dear Government,

Pierre Elliot Trudeau once famously proclaimed: "There's no room for the state in the bedrooms of the nation." Typical Liberal, eh? Always missing the chance to make a buck.

Today, you (or we, the Canadian people) are investing in the nation's naughty business, then selling it back to the public (or_ ourselves, the Canadian people).Federal tax credits keep the film industry afloat and taxpayers agree to fund cultural agencies such as Telefilm, who, in turn, invest in movies like _My Awkward Sexual Adventure. It's a funny system to be sure, one which has raised more than a few voices in the House of Commons (Bubbles Galore and Young People Fucking spring to mind). But the policy continues, panning for cinematic cultural gold that will enrich our lives.

Well, this film might not be it, but it's certainly not a complete write-off either.

Winnipeg director Sean Garrity trades in his typically quiet and introspective filmmaking style in order to bring this out-and-out comedy to the screen. He has, however re-teamed with his usual collaborator Jonas Chernick, who wrote, produced, and stars in the film. Safe to assume this type of creative consistency won their funding application a few points, but the bankable, formulaic script (and provocative title) probably helped, too.

Chernick plays Jordan Abrams as the quintessential Canadian loser-hero: a louse in the sack who can't satisfy his sex-starved girlfriend. Proposing to her only makes things worse, until a trip to Toronto gives him an opportunity to discover his mojo. After some occasionally amusing hijinks, Jordan meets your classic stripper-with-a-heart-of-gold, Julia (Emily Hampshire), and the two make a deal to exchange accounting tips for sex tricks. Boy will proceed to get girl/lose girl a few more times before the whole thing arrives to a predictable, but delayed, climax.

But like I said earlier, my goal is not to add to the moaning and groaning of culture-cutters complaining that the government is propping up Hollywood North. I actually found the film well done and a worthy investment of my time. And my money.

Chernick and Hampshire manage a distinct chemistry, which keeps the rom-com antics grounded. The few outrageous moments are also pretty successful (none more so than the fruit-focused lesson in cunnilingus). Awkward, yes, but also rather hilarious. And hey, it's not often the Government can make me laugh.

On purpose, anyway.

A satisfied citizen,

Christopher

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