Watch The Opposite of Sex

The Opposite of Sex is a comedic drama that was released in 1998 directed by Don Roos, starring Christina Ricci, Martin Donovan, Lisa Kudrow, and Lyle Lovett. It tells the story of a 16-year-old girl named Dedee (Christina Ricci) who moves in with her half-brother, Bill (Martin Donovan) and his boyfriend Matt (Ivan Sergei) in Indiana after running away from home in Louisiana. The plot twists and turns as Dedee gets involved with a cast of eccentric characters and wreaks havoc in their lives.

The movie presents itself as a dark comedy that toys with taboo subjects such as sexuality, teenage pregnancy, and murder. It starts with Dedee narrating her story and providing the audience with a glimpse of her character’s wit and cunning. Her deadpan humor and cruel observations paint her as an irreverent and cynical teenager who doesn’t have a care for anyone else’s feelings.

She meets her half-brother, Bill, who is a gay man in a committed relationship with Matt. This sets Dedee off on a path of manipulation and deceit to get what she wants. She starts an affair with Matt, and when she gets pregnant, she tells him that Bill is the father. This revelation sets off a chain reaction of events that will challenge the bonds of all three of them.

Lisa Kudrow also stars in this movie as Lucia, a grieving widow and former girlfriend of Bill’s. She is a recovering alcoholic and a born-again Christian. Her character’s vulnerability sets her up to become Dedee’s unlikely ally, and their relationship grows into one of the strongest in the movie. As tragic events occur, these two women bond in ways that neither of them anticipated.

The movie’s storytelling is unconventional, as the protagonist regularly interacts with the audience in fourth-wall breaking sequences. Ricci’s performance is outstanding, and she brings Dedee to life in a way that makes her both likable and detestable at the same time. Donovan’s portrayal of a closeted gay man struggling to reconcile his past and present is heartfelt and genuine, while Kudrow’s character brings a level of levity and warmth to the otherwise gloomy atmosphere.

The movie tackles various themes and explores them in depth, such as the importance of family, how our secrets can consume us, and the fragility of our belief systems when our morals are pushed to the limit. It addresses topics like sex and teen pregnancy in a way that is both shocking and amusing.

The Opposite of Sex uses its humor to expose the absurdity of the world and the people in it while still managing to create a coherent story that grips the audience from start to finish. It provides a satirical take on the romantic comedy formula and portrays love in a way that is both tragic and humorous.

Overall, the movie is a masterful blend of comedy and drama that explores the nuances of human relationships and celebrates the complexity of the human experience. Ricci’s performance as a sarcastic and witty teenager, combined with the excellent writing and direction, makes this movie an underrated gem that should be watched by anyone who appreciates dark humor and a well-told story.

The Opposite of Sex is a 1998 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 70.