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[Jul. 1st, 2008|12:05 am] |
Tonight I went to the Barbican to see a documentary called A Complete History of My Sexual Failures . It's the story of filmmaker Chris Waitt's long list of disastrous relationships. He claims he's been dumped by every girl he's ever been out with, and the film is his way of finding out what’s wrong with him by interviewing these women.
For me the best thing about this film is that I disliked Chris Waitt. Lots of the reviews are calling him a slacker, but there is something so smug about him, it's like he is playing a character of a slacker (and perhaps he is). He has a messy flat that is, of course, in Shoreditch. His Macbook is covered in cute sticker, his mum comes round and finds mouldy croissants in his kitchen, and then points to the piss stains around the toilet. It’s all a bit *knowing*. Although he really is the kind of person I generally dislike, it doesn’t stop me laughing out loud as girlfriend after girlfriend refuse to be interviewed for the film. Some swear, some hang up, some take legal action. All seem to hate him (which is really funny).
Eventually we do meet some of his girlfriends, and they all seem like really nice normal women. They tell of how he was an idiot to date, and that he stood them up, and didn’t return their calls, or arrived 2 hours after they’d arranged to meet. Where the film fails for me is that is it's purpose is to work out what his problems are, but he hears the criticism over and over again, but the film doesn't really address anything. There is little comment on why he acted like an arsehole. We get no sense of regret, but instead the film takes a tangent and focuses on a sexual problem (admittedly in an amusing and honest way). He visits a doctor, sexual therapist and a dominatrix, and it’s all very funny. It’s not until we meet the girl that he lived with up until 3 years ago, that he actually starts to show some honest emotion, and we get a glimpse of what this film is truly about, and what his reasons for making the film are. It’s really quite touching.
In a way I was sad that the film ends on a positive note. It never really addresses his problems, it just kinda papers over them. It feels like we are taken on a journey but nothing is truely resolved. Perhaps this is OK. Perhaps in another few years there will be a funny follow up. Despite it's faults, A Complete History of My Sexual Failures, is really good fun. It's a laugh'n'cringe fest, and was certainly a funny way to spend 90 minutes of my life. Go see it. It has many laugh-out-loud moments, and you may not dislike him quite as much as much as I did. |
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| Comments: |
Thanks for the write-up. I'm going to look out for this.
I will too, and I guarantee that I will loathe Chris Waitt more than either of you!
haha! Oh, you'll loathe him I'm sure!
I think you'd find it interesting. The guy needs help! He is also a bit of a tosser so it's OK to laugh at him.
I almost went to see this last night, but decided to go to the pub with Michael and watch Andy Murray instead . I think I will go and see it though. I've read a few reviews of it, including yours, and feel sure I'm not going to be crazy about the guy either.It does sound funny though ! I went to see "Wild Combination : A Portrait of Arthur Russell" with Michael on Saturday night. I hadn't heard much about him really, though Michael is a big fan. The interviews with his parents and partner were heartbreaking. I enjoyed it , despite not having heard all that much of his music before. | |
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