A Good Old Fashioned Orgy [2011]

January 20, 2012

I think you know what you can expect from a movie with a title like A Good Old Fashioned Orgy. And if you’re thinking that this is a slightly raunchy but still very commercial comedy about sex, you would be right. This is one of those movies people either love or hate but are definitely curious about. I would like to start on a different, more personal note. I am so sick and tired of movies about these rich, carefree, we’re-having-so-much-fun people.

Fuck them, fuck their houses with pools, steady jobs, and all the rest of the shit they have. And what can I say about the “White Trash Bash”? At this point, I should mention that these parties were inspired by real ones hosted by the writer and director of this movie Peter Huyck. People would dress up as pirates, aliens, or prisoners. And I get it, man, if I had that kind of life, I would probably be throwing them too. Since I don’t at least let me hate on them for a bit.

So, what this means is that you need to be in a special mood for A Good Old Fashioned Orgy. A bit less jaded and cynical and open to new experiences. After we got that out of the way, it’s time to talk about just how far this movie is willing to go with the nudity. And while there will be some, I was expecting much, much more. If you want to see a real orgy movie check out Caligula [1979] with Malcolm McDowell, Peter O’Toole, and Helen Mirren. It’s not a comedy but it certainly better tackles this subject without turning into a porn movie.

A bunch of 30-year-olds is having time of their life at their theme parties with various subjects and appropriate costumes. Alcohol and sex are obligatory (without drugs, what a shame), and it seems that the fun is going to last all summer. The guy who is throwing these parties, Eric meets a girl that seems to be just perfect for him. However, his father, the owner of the party house shows up and decides to sell it. Faced with this devastating decision, they decide to have one last party, or should I say orgy. This will test their friendships, relationships, and world views, as they slowly prepare for the biggest party of their lives…

The very concept of an orgy is thought-provoking enough. And I can already see couples watching A Good Old Fashioned Orgy and asking one another would they do it? Luckily, the jokes are raunchy enough and the cast did a solid job. I still can’t see Jason Sudeikis as this smooth playa who hooks up with all the girls though. Tyler Labine did his thing, and Lake Bell and Angela Sarafyan were also good. I just wish we saw more of Will Forte, that guy is funny as fuck.