Review of Humpday (2009) by Ryan H — 16 Oct 2011

I was compelled to keep watching this film because of the characters and situations in the film. Maybe it's not setup in the most original way, but I genuinely liked everyone so much that I kept watching.

A happily married (and real!) couple are ready to have a child, but in comes the basically vagabond friend Andrew. Ben and Anna are open to each other about everything. The first time we see them they are making out and ready to have sex, but it's stopped by her saying she is tired and doesn't want to do it tonight.

They share a laugh and agree to do it the next night. Perfect introduction to them that matches the film. As Andrew comes into the picture Ben starts to feel like maybe he has settled for a life he was never ready for.

OK, another problem that comes into marriage films, but again, this feels so genuine that it's hard not to like. So Ben hangs out with Andrews new friends who live in a house they call Dionysus. With the name comes the reality that these people live based on their wild and free side.

At first Ben seems weirded out by these people (especially the fact that Andrew is making out with a lesbian right in front of her girlfriend), but when he stays and talks with them he feels compelled to stay.

This guy that seemed straight-laced gets drunk and high with these new people. While intoxicated he sets up the idea to have sex with Andrew and videotape it for "art." The next day they avoid the conversation, but the subtle direction of their bodies and what they do is what sells the next ten minutes until they finally talk about what happened.

Is it really the sex and art they want to do? Or is it something deeper within themselves that they have to confront? At first it just seems like they are trying to out-edge each other. Who will back down first? But no, there is definitely more going on.

In order to get this to happen, Ben must confront his wife and get her approval. The scene when she describes her other side really made me hate her. Ben is trying to have sex with another man, but her making out with someone a year ago and saying it's great and never telling him about it until now seems worse.

Maybe because of the fact that she never told him when Ben has been preaching about how open and honest their relationship is. I also think because we know something is going to happen before these two guys actually have sex.

The sexuality in the film is interesting. Andrew has agreed to have sex with Ben, and the night before they are going to do it Andrew tries to have a threesome with the lesbian and her girlfriend. When he feels the dildo and discovers he won't actually be putting his penis in her coochie he backs out and goes home.

In other words, this video was done because of a conversation with the lesbians and now it's going to be done on their own terms. And we have this scene with Andrew that shows he might not be as open as he thinks he is (or at least what we think he is).

Ben is the guy we expect to be completely straight since he's the married one, but it turns out he is the one who had a fantasy once in his life. So sex here is more than just something that you enjoy just to reach a climax and walk away.

There is something more to sexuality. I didn't feel any homophobia, but rather sexuality being described in a new way. The last scene in the hotel room when they are going to have sex is completely awkward and very well done.

This movie just worked for me. I'm glad I sat down and watched it. Funny, dramatic, and genuine.