THE POPCORN REEL FILM REVIEW/"Six Sex Scenes And A Murder"
On One Noirish San Francisco Night, Six
Degrees Of Sex-peration
By
Omar P.L. Moore/May
30, 2008
"Six Sex Scenes And A Murder" is an intricate
collage of intersecting stories told in a linear flashback fashion in what feels
like a decidedly bygone era, years prior to September 12, 2001. The last
24 hours of the life of career gangster Nick Hamilton (played by Richard Anthony
Crenna) is the focal point of an investigation by Harry Reece, a seasoned
detective played by Jasper Watts. One by one, patrons of the burlesque
club The Uptown Bar are interviewed by the detective. Did they have any
connection to the murder of Nick? The answers are not necessarily revealed
in the sex scenes of some or all of those interrogated, but the scenes are a
clever device to explore the nature of the suspects' own sexual desires, some
doing unsavory things far short of murder but almost as scandalous and
dangerous.
"Six Sex Scenes And A Murder", despite its eye-catching title, is anything but a
film of titillation; on the contrary it presents an eloquent and mature
depiction of tasteful eroticism, split neatly into six chapters. There's
the young boy who loves with all his heart who gets an opportunity to get a gift
that gives; there's the woman who looks for opportunity with another of her sex;
there's a husband who likes the Internet and the opportunities it affords for
the sexual freedom that he craves; and there's a secretary who longs to live out
her fantasies. These, ladies and gentlemen, are among the naked stories of
San Francisco, where much of director Julie Rubio's intelligent film is set and
filmed. Veteran cinematographer Marty Rosenberg vividly captures the neons,
reds, blacks, violets and blues of the night with the high-definition digital
video camera he shoots with.
In this, her feature film directing debut, Ms. Rubio excels with this intriguing
and skillfully constructed tale. She is sincere and honest with the canvas
and vision that her film sets forth and her screenplay is tightly wound.
Never does the director condescend to her audience -- she plays the facts and
events as they lay themselves bare (no pun intended.) There are surprises
and twists, and a welcomed reversal on the femme fatale/damsel-in-distress
figure that we are so accustomed to seeing in films. The alluring Regan
Price (in wonderfully rendered acting by Kristin Minter) is a former burlesque
dancer and becomes a crucial character in the film, which is reportedly inspired
by the real-life gangland killing of a man that Ms. Rubio once had a
relationship with. "Six Sex Scenes" is an erotic drama that is
thought-provoking and layered. There's so much more to this special film
than meets the eye, which is why a second viewing makes the experience of
unraveling this mystery story even better.
You'll find sex here for sure, but just how much you want will be predicated
upon how much you want to see. One gets to know much more about other
incidental but important characters through their sexual habits, but the sex
isn't for show as much as it is a springboard for discussion on how a society
defines sex -- the suspects' habits are by themselves as much an investigation
and exploration as the tireless inquisitions by Detective Reece are.
"Six Sex Scenes And A Murder", which opened today at the Lumiere in San
Francisco, is one of the best and most sensual films of the year. If it
comes to your city make sure you don't miss it.
"Six Sex Scenes And A Murder" is not rated by the Motion Picture Association
of America. It contains strong sexual content, nudity, brief violence,
language and drug use. The film's duration is one hour and 54 minutes.
Related: Feature story on "Six Sex Scenes" filmmaker Julie
Rubio
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2008. All Rights Reserved.