A porno, like any film, can cause an array of emotions and depending on one’s demographic, religion, age and state of mind can twist the experience and bring about sheer joy or utter disgust. The latest Chuck Palahniuk book brought from the little page to the big screen might be called Sex Club except unlike his most famous Fight Club they can talk about sex club. And even if they shouldn’t or can’t talk about sex, they do. At the eye of this sexual hurricane sits pathetic, unsavory, uncaring antihero Victor Mancini (Sam Rockwell) an med-school drop out and sex addict, who works as a historical guide (or a reenactor) at a Colonial Williamsburg theme park so he can pay for an expensive insane asylum/hospital for his wandering mother Ida (Anjelica Huston). At night, he and his buddy Denny (Brad William Henke) get their scamming kicks on as Mancini purposely chokes in fine restaurants not only to get a free meal but more importantly to form a savior friendship with the person who happens to be lucky enough to “save” him. With Ida’s worsening condition, Mancini enlists the help of Denny along with a sexy new physician (Kelly MacDonald) to solve the mystery of his supposedly divine family line.
To say that this film does offer a wickedly funny streak wouldn’t serve it justice. Some people will either roar with laughter or squirm in their seat. Or maybe just leave their seat. Apparently, actor turned director Clark Gregg toned down the overly dark tone of Palahniuk’s book. Still, he brings a fluid yet still dark aspect to this version. Maybe with his acting ability, he manages to get eerily convincing performance from Sam Rockwell who actually gets a part with some meat. Although the film occasionally goes to the well once too often on some bits, Gregg keeps a firm grip on relationships of his quirky cast and keeps the action from going limp. Some may criticize the story that seems to keep going in circles but with these offbeat characters and the on screen antics most of these people will leave the theater feeling oh so satisfied.
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