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List Price: $14.99 | | Label: Universal Studios
Salesrank: 93486
Released: August 12, 1998 |
| Our Price: $7.99 |
| Used Price: $1.90 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Who says sex in the '80s isn't a laughing matter? Certainly not the ready-for-anything Stacy or her somewhat repressed friend Melissa. Determined to develop deep and meaningful relationships, they take a vacation at a plush health resort. Unfortunately, every man they meet is only interested in ...Casual Sex.
Description of Casual Sex?:
Never have the 1980s felt so painfully time-warped. This 1988 movie, which was directed by Geneviève Roberts and adapted by Wendy Goldman and Judy Toll from their stage play, is proof as to why we've rarely heard their names again. Casual Sex? is an oxymoron of a title that chronicles the plight of two best-friends-since-childhood who are suffering from celibacy in the AIDS-addled '80s. One, Stacy (Lea Thompson), misses the easy promiscuity of the past though she longs for a guy who is a true friend. Melissa (Victoria Jackson from Saturday Night Live) has only had sex with two men--the second of whom was her fiancé, and she longs for her first orgasm. When they decide to take a holiday to the Oasis Spa in order to find some nice guys, they have little notion that they're about to find the wrong Mr. Right(s). Combine the tired premise with some asides to the screen (that probably worked better on stage) and a couple of role-playing fantasies, and Casual Sex? is proof that a movie on this topic might be written by women, but it still might not have anything new or groundbreaking to reveal. Casual Sex? ultimately pairs one of its protagonists with comic Andrew Dice Clay, who plays a Jersey thug named "The Vin Man," and it's embarrassing to watch him mug his way through the film. With such lines as "You and I have more in common now that we're both afraid of sex" and "Not being attracted to anybody scares me more than AIDS," viewers will wonder if these two have a brain in their heads at all. They ultimately come across as less than enlightened about sex and love and seem--along with the movie itself--more than a little desperate. --Paula Nechak
Casual Sex? Reviews:
Nothing casual here! 
2008-11-01 - 80s teen-movie queen Lea Thompson and Saturday Night Live star Victoria Jackson star in this quaintly nostalgic film which addresses the efficacy of casual sex. The film is based on a play by the same name, and it came at an interesting juncture in history; the mid-80s saw the sexual revolution winding down & people were becoming more & more aware of the really nasty STDs being spread around - including the "brand new" one known as AIDS. This caused many people to do a lot of re-thinking about their nocturnal habits, and this is the focus of the present film.
Lea Thompson plays a promiscuous woman who finds herself examing her dangerous practices. She and her much-less sexually experienced friend (Jackson) take off to spend time at a health spa (another staple of the mid-80s!) to ensure that any men they happen to sleep with will be safe.
While there, they come across an ego maniac from Jersey (played by the venerable Andrew Dice Clay) who believes he knows what women want. Interestingly, all three characters go through some poignant transformations during the film.
The special features contain an alternate ending. I'm glad they didn't use it as it was very deus ex machina. That said, it's still worth viewing as Thompson is a knockout while wearing a wedding dress!
Some may argue that the regular ending is a bit contrived, but I would disagree. For me, it factored into the whole premise of the plot, which was that the mid-80s was a time in which people needed to look past sex & start thinking more about relationships. For me, the movie is actually trenchant in its portrayal of how life doesn't always turn out the way we think it will. People change, and occasionally they even improve upon what they were previously.
As Lea Thompson's #1 fan, I find it my duty to extol all of her movies. That said, this is a great 80s flick whether you're a big fan of her's or not. The fact that we get a few shots of both girls' posteriors is an added bonus, although the film shied away from having a whole lot of skin in it (despite several opportunities!). If you're looking for a Romantic Comedy that can also double as a satire, you can do a lot worse than this one!
Surprised 
2008-06-30 - I missed this one when it first come out...so glade to have ran across it. Very enjoyable to watch.
""Safe sex" -- who would have ever thought those two words would exist in the same sentence?"
2008-06-16 - This largely unappreciated 80's comedy gem deals with the subject of dating and sex during the early days of the AIDS epidemic. The humour is derived from the experiences of two very different single girls and what happens to their lives after an eventful summer vacation.
Free-spirited Stacy (Lea Thompson) and her timid best friend Melissa (Victoria Jackson) each know the unique joys of casual sex--"This is kind of embarrassing to admit, but I remember when it was actually fun to say, "WOW, that really felt great! What's your name again?".
But when Stacy starts reading stories about the growing fear of AIDS, she ponders the loose way in which she has governed her sex-life. She and Melissa pack up and head to an exclusive health resort where they start exploring the idea of settling down with the perfect Mr. Right.
Based on the book by Wendy Goldman and Judy Toll, CASUAL SEX? is one of those classic 80's comedies where everyone seems to remember the movie poster, but not the film itself. That's a real shame, because the film still offers valuable opinions and ideas about dating and sex in a world where those activities hold very real dangers. That said, the movie is still hilariously funny, with Thompson and Jackson both incredibly-talented actresses who totally engage the audience with their thoughtful performances.
Co-starring Andrew 'Dice' Clay, Stephen Shellen, Mary Gross and Jerry Levine, CASUAL SEX? is a must for 80's movie lovers and those wanting to see a very intelligent romantic comedy about sexual mores in the decade where innocence was truly lost forever.
The DVD is stacked with a few worthwhile extras, like deleted scenes and an alternate ending. (Single-sided, dual-layer disc).
Predictable, Dumb and Moronic 
2006-03-05 - I can't believe a star of Lea Thompson's caliber or such a controversial comic like Andrew Dice Clay would agree to star in this film. It tries to make a dark humorous statement about AIDS in the 80s and fails. Dice-Clay's character is likeable, but your stereotypical Jersey guy, and I can't believe he agreed to recite such idiotic lines.
While the beginning of the film is ok, it quickly disintegrates into mindless dribble. I get this impression this film was targeted at the adolescent male audience, with lots of sex and some nudity thrown in for good measure. Predictable and formulaic, this tacky little film is not worth your money. What a shame that the talented cast of this film had to utter such stupid, inane dialogue. How amazing that such a ridiculous, badly written script was made into a movie.
Feelin' Hot! Hot! Hot! 
2005-09-28 - Stacy Hunter and Melissa Halpern are best friends that share a common problem: sex. Stacy is a fun, flirtacious, woman who is regretting her reckless sexual past. Melissa is a nice, down-to-earth Kindergarten teacher who has only slept with two men in her life, and wants "a nice guy".
Suggesting a vacation, the girls jet off to Oasis Health Spa, to look for healthy young men. There they meet Vinny,(Andrew Dice Clay) who automaticly sets his sights on Stacy. However, Stacy has her sights set on Nick (Stephen Shellen), a musician who works at the spa. Melissa also has her eye on someone, a therapist, Matthew (Peter Dvorsky). Melissa is not aware, however, that Jamie (Jerry Levine), a nutritionist, has a very big crush on her.
Mary Gross (Ilene), Valeri Breiman (Megan), David Sargent (Frankie), and others wind up this ensemble cast for one of the funnies comedies ever to be released. I am not a big fan of the "Dice Man", but this is probably the best acting he's ever done, and possibly the best film he's ever made. You won't be disppointed.
