Shortbus was a film from John Cameron Mitchell, who you probably remember as Hedwig in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” It is about a group of New Yorkers who frequent an underground, sex club, and their trials and tribulations. The plot was amazing. It mixed all the human emotions into one movie, and there was never a dull moment. You follow Sofia who has never had an orgasm; Severin who has never had a relationship; the couple James and Jamie where James is severely depressed and making a suicidal tribute dedicated to Jamie.

The actors did an amazing job in ensuring that the characters remained three-dimensional and interesting without reaching ridiculousness. It was also great that Mitchell tied all of them together with sex. Sex is an act that makes a person sad, happy, and/or angry, and I think that is the reason he decided on that similar topic between the character.

The underlying theme was how detached we have all become in some shape or form. We are not able to fully connect with other people because we can’t even connect with our own being. The characters have problems with intimacy, and they are frustrated that they are not able to reach that level that they wish they were able to. Are they able to reach it? Is there hope for them and, if you think about it, us?

Definitely watch this movie. It is a little debauched, but I think that actually made it better.

It’s a love story with a lot of sex, but not the kind of movie sex that last for 30 seconds with celebrity actors under sheets. That is, the incredibly yawn-inducing kind…

Instead you get a compelling story with real people who seem genuinely attracted, interested and engaged with each other. Shortbus is a super story – sometimes witty, sometimes a little sad, sometimes hitting a little close to home on numerous levels; but certainly something worth watching (and probably re-watching).

And yeah, lots and lots of skin. Which can’t be a bad thing right?

The sex. yes. it’s real. and a lot of attention is focused on it. but it’s there because it’s part of the story. it was truly one of the sweetest and most delicate films i have seen in a long while. full of heart. exactly what als26 said: “totally a romantic comedy, but not an evil one”

It’s totally a romantic comedy, but not an evil one.