AUTOEROTIC (2011)

Directed & Cinematography By: Joe Swanberg & Adam Wingard Written By: Joe Swanberg, Adam Winagard & Simon Benett Editor: Joe Swanberg Cast: Amy Seimetz, Joe Swanberg, Kate Lyn Sheil, Lane Hughes, Josephine Decker Follow four interconnected Chicago couples as they explore the boundaries of self-pleasure and sexual exploration. This film came out of nowhere. I choose it at random on pay per view and wasn’t upset that I did. I am surprised at how graphic this film is. It’s a film I can honestly say I would have loved a commentary or q and a session after watching. Maybe even a behind the scenes featurette. Just to know how this film was made and how the actors handled the intimacy involved. Also how the filmmakers handled the filming. It's like watching Sexual skits that have a sense of reality to them. Though most are comedic or humorous. It is shot in a dramatic way. The plainess of the characters make it seem like they could be anyone you would bump into in the street. The Sexual frankness and in your face nudity at times may be a bit much. The film still tries to have an artistic distinction. It still is Mumblecore goes erotic. The film is almost like porn with a lot of plot, just not as graphic and fantasy audience Filled it is. Some scenes are realistic that they push the normal boundaries of what is shown in sex scenes. Things here are more made to be funny and hauntingly realistic as the characters feel like people you know or situations it is easily to see yourself in. Would you react the same way who knows? Though the way the characters do are truthful is one sense and funny in another. Still the film sticks to the independent mumblecore roots of not having a particular and revolving around characters and naturalistic dialogue and scenes. The film feels more experimental then anything almost like a comedy group decided to get together to make a film about the most taboo subject. Making it feel more real and personal. True to life. The film plays like A less skilled version or companion piece to EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT SEX, BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK. By Woody Allen. Except this film is less structured and more freestyle you never know where it is going next. It just feels like a film that was made more for fun than anything of meaning. I am sure this was a film made more to travel film festivals. It’s enjoyable but may find the film lacking in depth. It might even be a film that you find yourself identifying with a little. Like a next generation tale of intimacy in many different forms but more on the sexual side. GRADE: B-