Tuesday, May 26, 1998
Controversial movie allows cast to sunder stereotypes
FILM: Teen promiscuity, homosexuality central to plot for
‘Opposite of Sex’
By Louise Chu
Daily Bruin Contributor
Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love with girl’s brother. Girl’s
brother dies. Girl has crush on boy. Boy gets new boyfriend. Boy’s
little sister steals boyfriend And that is just in the first twenty
minutes.
Writer and director Don Roos’ black comedy "The Opposite of Sex"
follows 16-year-old Dedee Truitt (Christina Ricci) through a myriad
of experiences after she runs away from her Louisiana home to
reunite with her estranged half brother Bill (Martin Donovan) in a
small Indiana town and turns his life upside down. Distrustful of
the mischievous, smart-mouthed, sexually promiscuous teenager,
Lucia (Lisa Kudrow), Bill’s dead lover’s sister, is his
ever-present advisor and friend. Dedee’s cynical voice narrates the
film, adding unusual twists to the audience’s perspective.
"(Dedee is) brutal sometimes and harsh, and even sometimes a
little cruel, but she’s also very honest about how she sees things;
she calls them as she sees them," Donovan observes.
At the center of the chaos is Bill Truitt, whom Donovan
describes as "a decent kind of guy; a middle-class schoolteacher."
Acting as the emotional anchor of Dedee’s incorrigibility and
Lucia’s cynicism, Bill deals with the situation in a mild and
reserved manner as he copes with the death of his lover Tom.
"I think that it’s clear that the characters in the film, in
some way or another, are seeking Bill’s approval," Donovan says.
"There’s a paternal nature about him."
For many in the cast, their characters are significant
departures from their previous roles. Ricci is known for her role
as dark yet innocent Wednesday in "The Addams Family" films, while
Kudrow’s fans best recognize her as Phoebe in the television sitcom
"Friends," a character that sharply contrasts the conservative and
sexually repressed Lucia.
Donovan, whose recent roles include Ralph Touchett in "The
Portrait of a Lady," feels that the variety of roles comes with the
nature of acting.
"I think most actors welcome the change," Donovan explains. "I
think that’s one of the things why we’re actors. We want to do
different things. We want to meet new people and be in different
environments and different working situations, and play different
people. That’s the fun. That’s why we’re doing it."
The departure that "The Opposite of Sex" provides for many of
its actors can also be potentially controversial. The film deals
unabashedly with a number of issues including homosexuality,
teenage sexual promiscuity and pregnancy.
"I think there are some things that are pretty provocative and
‘in your face’ about (the movie), and there are some hard truths
about how people see themselves and stereotypes and expectations,"
Donovan says.
Despite the brash treatment of many of the themes in the film,
Donovan does not think that "it’s anything most people haven’t
already encountered in young people."
Having already attended several public screenings of the film,
Donovan feels that the audience has responded well to the subject
matter.
"I haven’t heard anybody planning any protests," he adds.
Ultimately he feels that "the film makes you reflect on the
repercussions of relationships, sexual relationships in particular,
and all the responsibilities (of it)."
He also says that the film addresses "what is the nature of
commitment and, not to mention, the biological aspects of it,"
including "disease and procreation and babies."
"It’s quite an overwhelming thing when you think about what
relationships can engender," he adds. "And from Dedee’s
perspective, it is pretty overwhelming."
Donovan contends that the film’s cynical approach to the subject
matter is a unique way of presenting some important themes to the
audience, blending humor, drama and an irreverent style.
"There are just some hilarious moments of this film," he says.
"And at the end I think the film has heart."
FILM: "The Opposite of Sex" is currently in theaters.
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Martin Donovan (left), stars with Lyle Lovett in "The Opposite
of Sex," written and directed by Don Roos.
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Ivan Sergei (front) and Johnny Galecki star in "The Opposite of
Sex."