This past week, we watched the film, “Short Bus”. It is the second film by John Cameron Mitchell, who also produced/directed/starred in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”. I like this film better and not just because of the graphic depiction of sex. The storyline is more realistic in that the main characters are seeking something they find elusive. The male is looking for feeling and meaning in his life while the female is seeking an orgasm. Wonder which happens first? See the film.
Ironically, the female in question is a couple’s counselor (sex therapist) who has never had an orgasm despite her efforts. That is, until the end of the film. Symbolically, the power outage was solved when she captured her first “petite mort”. The male was a hustler and no longer finds anything stimulating, emotionally or it seems physically, either. He finally attempts suicide but is saved by a benevolent stalker. This stalker is allowed to penetrate James, though no one else has ever been offered that particular prize. Not even James’ partner of five years, Jamie.
I think the reason this film was shown is that it portrays actual sexuality in a non-judgmental way. It is also a film about relationships, not only with others but with selves, too. It showed lots of attraction of opposites; fat/skinny, young/old, male/female and others. This film might appeal to anyone who is not a prude and is open minded to the human sexual condition.
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