Shortbus (2006) - LightShed 10

I was expecting way more from Shortbus.  The movie was okay, it wasn't bad, but I was expecting something of the caliber of Hedwig, and Shortbus is amateurish in comparison with John Cameron Mitchell's debut.

In Shortbus, we follow a bunch of people who are experimenting with their sexuality in an attempt to find happiness and let people penetrate them, emotionally.  In New York.  Cute, right?

The main characters in Shortbus include Sook-Yin Lee, playing a sex therapist who never had an orgasm, and Paul Dawson and PJ DeBoy, playing a gay couple entertaining an open relationship. 

I knew about all the genitalia in the movie, erections everywhere, orgies and all, and I went into the movie thinking it was really just going to be an excellent mainstream porn movie.  But it is not at all like that, you should really believe when you read the movie is about sexuality, not porn.  Although the countless sex scenes are very candid, you don't really see porn anywhere.  Most of those scenes carry a quite heavy emotional content. 

I guess for that reason alone the movie deserves to be seen.

You see all sorts of sexual orientations in Shortbus, and although some of the scenes may be a tad shocking (nothing too bad though I don't think), the positive message of acceptance was everywhere.

The soundtrack was superb.  I can't wait for it to come out on November 7.  I saw the movie in the Vancouver International Film Festival, but you can check if it's playing in a theater near you, here.

Unfortunately, most of the reviews I read were harsh.  The trailer is here.

Comments

[Greg]

My boyfriend and I saw this Saturday evening. What a fantastic movie! The sex didn't come across as pornographic to me, more as something inherent to the stories of the characters. And I definitely agree about the music; I can't wait for the soundtrack!!

[Queer Beacon]

Certainly agree, Marcus. Most of the cast is cute, no doubt. Shortbus was the first acting job for most of them (including Dawson), and I hope they won't find too much trouble finding more work after Shortbus...they certainly deserve it...

[Marcus]

Sounds nice!
Wondering if we'll have it in a theater here...
I think Paul Dawson is sooooo cute!
Agree??