I Want Your Sex
PARK CITY, Utah — This year’s Sundance Film Festival kicked off with Greg Araki’s bold new comedy, “I Want Your Sex,” starring Olivia Wilde. It made its debut on Friday, and it promises a wild ride filled with various explicit themes.
From topless scenes to threesomes, and even some satire of the art world, there’s a little something for everyone. Wilde portrays Erica Tracy, a once-prominent artist whose main focus seems to be what goes on in the bedroom.
For instance, she has her assistant stick chewed gum onto a line drawing of a woman’s anatomy. It’s quite something—perhaps another title could have been “HR?”
Unlike “Baby Girl,” which also features a steamy boss-employee dynamic with Nicole Kidman, Araki’s approach feels whimsical, kind of like living in a neon dollhouse where reality is just out of the picture.
The film opens with Erica face down in a pool, reminiscent of “Sunset Boulevard,” while a young man named Elliott (Cooper Hoffman) in pink lingerie screams in horror.
A little while back, Elliott found himself captivated by Erica. One night, he was in bed with his girlfriend watching a video of her. “What’s the difference between this and porn?” asks a character named Buzzkill (Charlie XCX). Elliott responds, “Lighting and context,” almost drooling.
Araki, with his humorous touch, seems to poke fun at the sensuality of his own films through this dialogue.
Elliott, a 23-year-old, applies for a position with Erica, only to soon find himself offered a more enticing role—one that puts him in a position of dominance over her. Erica, who is nearly 15 years older, expects him to be more submissive.
“Human resources?!”
However, the film begins to stumble about two-thirds in as their escapades take a turn for the extreme. Elliott finds himself facing situations that test his naive boundaries.
Erica carries a strong belief that Gen Z has, in a sense, wasted their prime years glued to their phones. When she’s right, she’s right. Elliott becomes her most loyal follower in this belief.
Hoffman, at 22, brings an innocent enthusiasm that complements Wilde’s character, giving the film a certain charm.
It’s important to note that this isn’t a romantic film in the vein of “50 Shades of Grey.” Erica desires sex, but her emotional needs aren’t as mutual. Elliott seeks her love alongside his lust.
This misunderstanding leads to chaos for everyone involved, including Elliott’s best friend, Apple (Chase Sui Wonders), who’s been navigating his own issues stemming from Elliott’s sexual adventures.
Wilde’s portrayal of Erica, a workaholic even during her downtime, presents a character much like Elizabeth Banks’ Pitch Perfect commentator but with a painter’s twist. While she finds a connection with Hoffman, he also seemingly clicks with a Spatula—perhaps an odd detail.
“I Want Your Sex” marks Hoffman’s most significant role since “Licorice Pizza,” which was quite a breakthrough for him. He brings both strength and a puppy-like charm to this role.
This film might not garner a huge audience; for many, it may feel too bizarre or unrestrained. If “Babygirl” was a dislike, you might end up tossing your TV out the window after watching this.
Nevertheless, these are the types of roles Hoffman seems destined to play regularly, minus a few colorful accessories.
