Every Monday, the CSPH takes a look at a book or film focusing on an aspect of sexuality. This week we are featuring A Good Old Fashioned Orgy!
Directors Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck’s 2011 film “A Good Old Fashioned Orgy” depicts the fictional story of a group of 30-year-olds who have been friends since high school and their attempt to throw an orgy before the sale of their favorite summer house in the Hamptons.
The cast includes a large number of well-known and recognized comedians including: Jason Sudeikis (Saturday Night Live), Leslie Bibb (Iron Man, The League), Will Forte (SNL), and Nick Kroll (The League). Sudeikis plays “Eric” who decides, after learning of the imminent sale of his father’s Hampton house where he and his best friends spend their weekends, that they should celebrate the end of an era by doing something extreme. After considering the various options, he proposes they throw an orgy. Everyone ultimately agrees to the idea, but only after break-ups, layoffs, and discussions about the expected issues of body insecurity and desirability.
However, the actual “orgy sequence” in the film is somewhat tame with little nudity and a playful tone in the dialogue and actions of the characters. While there are moments of self-exploration and intimacy, everyone involved wakes up the next morning feeling pleased and exhibiting very little awkwardness. The assumption that must be accepted to enjoy this film is that a group of straight men and women who have been friends since high school could successfully have sex with each other and not have it cause any drama or negative consequences.
While the subject matter and the title insinuate that this film is about sex, it is actually much more about enjoying the moment and having a good time with your friends. Sex is never really discussed as a serious issue; rather, the entire film portrays many types of sexual behavior as freeing and enjoyable. In one scene, Eric and his friend visit a mattress store that doubles as a swingers’ club and witness a variety of kinky sex acts including “pegging,” a dominatrix with a submissive customer, and a couple using a sex swing. This film is definitely not the funniest or most clever comedy out there, but it does have a great cast and an easy-to-follow storyline.
