By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Molly Manning Walker
Starring: Anna Antoniades | Eleni Sachini | Enva Lewis | Lara Peake | Mia McKenna-Bruce
Year: 2024
Running time: 91
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22890246/reference/
Brett says: “HOW TO HAVE SEX goes full throttle in providing what could be described as a neo-naturalist depiction, centered on the trendy Spring Break or summer vacation phenomena among post-high school graduates eager to leap into the benefits of adulthood while still retaining a significant absence of full-on adult responsibilities. Sounds like fun, so why the ‘neo-naturalist’ tag to ruin all the excitement? Like many naturalist works that showcase blind optimism or a hope of a better tomorrow, therein also lies a battle with forces against a protagonist’s will that serve to overshadow any attempt at just enjoying the life one thinks is out there. So it goes with Tara and her travel buddies Skye and Em, all ready to embark on a seatbelts-off, unbridled party adventure to celebrate freedom, independence, and the excitement of self-agency.
“The premise is established as a clear celebration, full of raucous trendy clichés for these 19-20-somethings who revel in how much alcohol they are all about to consume and how much sex they are going to have. Tara, however, is pointed out as somewhat of a blemished character by her travel mates for not yet having her first sexual encounter. Cast as the shortest physically of the bunch–a ‘runt’ of sorts–according to the friends’ hype, this vacation will surely be the coming-of-age experience she’s been waiting for. Make no mistake though, despite the teasing and backhanded insults from one friend in particular, Tara is equally the spitfire and just as spirited as her companions, even leading the charge at times in her quest to let loose and enjoy freedom while still quietly downplaying the hurtful ‘V’ label they tease her about. Outside of that, together, they are loud, rambunctious, and on top of the world.
“The story is a tale of two halves. Once the party trio’s destination is reached, many of the expected adolescent foibles emerge, including the allure of the ‘bad boy’ image personified by a traveler aptly nicknamed Badger that happens to be lodging in the neighboring quarters with his own crew of party animals. First-feature director Molly Manning Walker along with Mia McKenna-Bruce in the role of Tara deliver an astounding portrayal of Tara’s natural progression into a quizzical and confused demeanor at times amid the once-established self-assuredness that begins the film. The audience is not intended to fall for the likes of Badger upon any first impressions, and the puzzle book about charisma and emotional connection becomes very evident for Tara from the very moment we meet the Badger character. It is very relatable, as a portion of the audience has likely had their own deliberations in sorting out what is and is not attractive, what is and is not their type(s) in these early adult formative years. As such, Tara is not judged in these moments; instead, the audience begs to be able to signal the character to watch out, tread lightly, and stay true to herself despite her natural curiosities. Any initial eye-roll-invoking impressions that more experienced adults might have about Tara eventually transform, for some, into moments in which we both root for and also caution Tara all at the same time.
“From the time the audience is presented with the party resort vibe, one might have expectations for how these developing character interactions might go. However, as much as some characterizations walk the line of predictability, Walker does an excellent job of subverting a few of these expectations. This is the foundation for the rude awakening about to take place in the film. The stylized way in which the film is presented also makes some of the familiar into something that feels like the audience is seeing it in a fresh light. The impact of the talented cast, the vision of the director, and the gut-wrenching true-to-life themes all combine for a film that is truly a force once the reality of those naturalist societal powers become fully realized. Some of the subject material may be familiar to an audience, but this film is one of most effective of its kind in leading us to these harsh experiences and realizations. 4 CATS OUT OF 5″