My Awkward Sexual Adventure (Garrity, 2012): Russia

Viewed at the Metro IV on January 36, 2013, during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival at 10:20 P.M. Reviewed by Larry Gleeson. “My Awkward Sexual Adventure,” is a coming to terms story. An awkward accountant, Jordan, played by Jonas Chernick, has been in love with his girlfriend, Rachel, played by Sarah Mannenin, since the two first met in school. Jordan has caused such sexual aggravation in the bedroom and frustrated Rachel so much that she finally breaks it off with him as he’s about to propose saying he bores her sexually suggesting he take a break and visit friends in Toronto alone. While in Toronto Jordan goes through a rather bizarre set of circumstances and winds up meeting, Julia, a stripper with a heart of gold, played by Emily Hampshire, who is in a massive financial hole. At this point in the film Jordan comes across as so clueless it’s rather unbelievable. Nevertheless, Julia reaches her hand out to Jordan in a gesture of human kindness and maybe because she’s in such a financial mess. Anyway, Jordan feels an obligation and proposes righting Julia’s finances in exchange for Julia’s help with Jordan’s lack of bedroom manners and lack of sexual repertoire. The film begins to take off and we’re treated to several awkward but humorous scenes as Jordan and Julia begin to experience a mounting sexual tension between each other. Julia seems open to the vibe while Jordan continues to pine for Rachel who is off doing her own thing with just about anyone she can. Rachel makes a return appearance while Jordan has Julia tied up. He’s forced into making a choice and while he decides all of Julia’s possessions are repossessed leaving Julia without any resources for her dream in starting her own business and leaving behind the life of a stripper. Eventually, Jordan comes around and tries to do the right thing after finally ending things with Rachel and tries to rectify the situation with Julia. Unable to appease Julia he does an end around and recaptures her heart.

This film is quite funny and actor writer Chernick at times really carries the load but it’s Emily Hampshire, in my opinion, who tugs at pulls at the viewer with the finest performance of the film exhibiting an emotional vulnerability coupled with a sexual exuberance in being Jordan’s “sexual Yoda.” Undoubtedly, the chemistry between Chernick and Hampshire is real as Hampshire was fought for in the casting of Julia. And with good reason as she combines a strong female sexuality and a coy neighbor-friendly persona in a delightful way. Both the characters are in crisis and it’s a heartwarming experience to watch and witness as the two lead each other out of misery towards fulfillment and the hopes of each finding true love. The film stops short of reaching this ending but points strongly in the direction of the two working things out and living happily ever after – eventually. Overall, the film is worth seeing. It’s a fun film for date night with a few unexpected twists and I might add a few rather explicit turns along the way.