COMIC DRAMA; 1hr 35min
STARRING: Sam Rockwell, Anjelica Huston, Kelly Macdonald
Working it out: from left, Gillian Jacobs, Rockwell and Henke
Not to make light of addictions but from the outside looking in, sex addicts have a wacky-slash-rocky row to hoe. Victor Mancini (Rockwell) is a confirmed s.a. who works as a “historical interpreter” in a Ye Olde Colonial–themed village. By night, he simulates choking in fancy restaurants in order to leech off his wealthy saviours and thereby pay the hospital bills of his demented mother (Huston).
Novelist Chuck Palaniuk (Fight Club) has outdone himself with this baby, adapted and directed by actor and screenwriter Clark Gregg (What Lies Beneath), who knows his way around all sorts of weirdness. The cast — Brad William Henke is Victor’s fellow s.a. and best friend, Macdonald is a fetching doctor treating Victor’s mother, and to whom he takes a shine — took out a Special Jury Prize at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. They certainly do deliver the twisted goods; Rockwell, especially, is right on the emotional money. Not everyone will buy what they’re selling, despite its bedrock of love. But there’s something to be said for giving the unhinged a go.
