The title was memorable enough, and I did remember one of the big actors in the cast, I didn't remember it was an all-star cast film, and I had no idea what it was about, but I gave it a go. Basically, in north London, a number of couples are enjoying the sunshine and gathered looking for love and sex in various ways on Hampstead Heath. Husband, Jamie (Andrew Lincoln) and wife, Molly (Holly Aird) lie on the grass and talk about football and multiple orgasms. Molly notices Jamie staring at a pretty girl nearby, Sophie (Eglantine Rembauville). He pretends that he was looking at her book, L'Etranger by Albert Camus, and describes the plot, claiming it is a western about a man who eventually becomes sheriff. To embarrass Jamie and expose him as a liar, Molly approaches Sophie to question her about the book as well. Iris (Eileen Atkins) and Eddie (Benjamin Whitrow), an older couple, meet on a park bench, and talk about London's skyline and wonder who the bench sign is dedicated to. They discover that they both come to the same bench on different days of the week and that they are both widowed. In talking about their past, they also discover that, nearly fifty years before, they had met romantically at that spot and that is why they both kept coming back. They are bemused by the irony of meeting again and have mixed feelings. They talk about seeing each other again, but Iris also decides to visit her former husband's grave, now appreciating more their time together. Anna (Sophie Okonedo), a disturbed young woman with extreme mood swings, is crying and arguing with her boyfriend Ludo (Nick Sidi). After Ludo leaves him, she is then approached by a young man, Noel (Tom Hardy). She asks to be left alone, but he sits next to her and appears to meditate. His weird behaviour interests her, and they strike up a conversation, but she becomes annoyed with him making terrible compliments and trying to make her laugh. She suddenly orders him to have sex with her, but subsequently leaves him with his pants around his knees. Gay life-partners Billy (Ewan McGregor) and Brian (Douglas Hodge) are also lying on the grass, discussing other gay men and The Good Life. Billy has trouble giving up casual sex with other men, while Brian wants him to be faithful to him. Billy suddenly mentions his desire to have children by adoption, but Brian doesn't want them yet. Billy promises to give up casual sex when the two adopt children, which convinces Brian to think about it. However, moments later Billy runs off in pursuit of an attractive man he sees passing them. Peter Brian Maxwell (Adrian Lester) and Sara Louise Williams (Catherine Tate) meet on a bench. It is revealed that they are married and have a seven-year-old daughter, Eve (Elle Mckenzie), but they are divorcing each other. However, they have mixed feelings about this because they still care for each other. Louis (Mark Strong) meets Esther (Polly Walker) who is an escort. After discussing his father's funeral, Louis presents Esther with tickets for a holiday to Barbados which she is happy with. They discuss a variety of issues like a traditional couple, it is unclear if she genuinely cares as she is paid for her time with Louis. Gerry (Hugh Bonneville) and Julia (Gina McKee) are on a blind date and sit on a rug for some red wine and cheese. They discuss modern terminology for ethnic minorities that may or may not be racist. They talk about former relationships and children and, as they are both in their early forties, Julia worries that she will no longer be able. They seem to be getting along well until Julia's attention is briefly drawn towards Louis, who passes them. Insulted by this, Gerry decides to leave abruptly. McGregor is alright as a gay man wanting kids, Okonedo is odd as an erratic woman, Hardy is interesting as a cockney Casanova, and Bonneville, Lester, Tate and all the other recognisable stars do fine. It tries its best to funny, but it is often overtaken by the feeling of melancholy, one or two of the tales in amongst the many do keep you interested, the location in the bright sunlight looks nice, and the script is reasonable, it's not a bad comedy-drama. Okay!
Review of Scenes of a Sexual Nature
