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Review #245 of 365
Film: The Oh in Ohio (2006) [NR] 88 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $8.00
Where Viewed: Regency Tamarac Square, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 13 September 2006
Time: 7:10 p.m.
Directed by: Billy Kent
Written by: Adam Wierzbianski Story by: Sarah Bird & Billy Kent
Featured Cast (Where I Remember Him/Her From):
Parker Posey (Superman Returns and Adam & Steve) •Paul Rudd (The 40-Year Old Virgin) • Mischa Barton ("The O.C.") • Danny DeVito (Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School) • Miranda Bailey ("Port Charles") • Liza Minnelli (New York, New York) • Keith David (ATL)
Official Movie Site: The Oh in Ohio
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DVD |
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
Light weight but somewhat clever comedy, The Oh in Ohio marks Billy Kent's first directing gig in 10 years and his first nationally distributed film. The film has gotten quite a bit of word-of-mouth promotion probably because the 'Oh' is more of a gasped, erotic 'Oh' than an 'Oh, I see' type of an 'Oh'. Early on in the story, we learn that Cleveland marketing executive, Priscilla Chase (Parker Posey) has had intimate relations with her way-too-hairy, high school, science teacher husband Jack (Paul Rudd), throughout their marriage without him even once giving her the ultimate 'Oh'—think Sally in When Harry Met Sally. This effects everything about his self-esteem. A visit to a counselor plants the idea in Priscilla's mind that the simple use of an electronic device will solve all of her problems, while Jack cannot fathom being replaced by battery-powered plastic. After failing to get anywhere with books and seminars, one run by female empowerment expert, Alyssa Donahue (Liza Minnelli), she finally breaks down and visits a local establishment for the purchase of personal fulfillment aids. Meanwhile, Jack's best friend, Coach Popovitch (Keith David), tries to persuade him that the use of technology to spice things up is not a mark against his manhood but, rather, a part of the team.
"Light weight but somewhat clever comedy …smacks taboos in the face…too many un- resolved threads in a plot that wasn't that complicated. "
While still skeptical, Jack decides to give it a try. Unfortunately, when he gets home, she finds that Priscilla has already replaced him with his worst nightmare, and even worse, she has finally reached, so far as she knows, the pinnacle of personal self-satisfaction. So, he does what any good, red-blooded, emasculated husband would do, he moves out, gets his own apartment, and starts have an affair with an aggressive student in his class, Kristen Taylor (Mischa Barton), who claims to be over the age of consent. After this, the film just spins its wheels for a while as poor Priscilla fails in encounter after encounter to achieve the 'Oh' with real partners. She develops and addition to her vibrating friend, and she endures a rather unsavory moment in the middle of a marketing presentation with her cell phone on vibrate mode and a persistent Jack is trying to get a hold of her to let her know of his magnificent relations with a younger woman. Ironically, this is the first time he has given her the 'Oh' directly or indirectly. Jack moves along in his relationship with Kristen despite risking his job—apparently his moral ethics and dignity are long gone. Just when Priscilla is about to lose all faith, a chance encounter with the Wayne the Pool Man (Danny Devito) restores her faith when she achieves the 'Oh' under his control.
Certainly, this film smacks taboos in the face with the intergenerational relationships, the constant talk about the 'Oh' and achieving it, and the candid nature of the experiences of the characters. This alone, however, does not elevate the film to being a great or even really good film. I sort of pictured this more in the realm of late-night HBO® or Showtime® rather than in an important comedy of our times. The acting is solid and the directing is fine. Technically, the film is of great quality. What it lacks, however, is depth of character. We get no comprehension really as to why Jack is unable to please Priscilla. Is it just him? He seems to be able to please other women. So is it her? Or is it their mutual lack of chemistry? Why is he such a louse really? How does he morally justify his relationship with a student—one of the biggest taboos in all of education even between college professors and students who are all of legal age and consent? Why is Wayne the Pool Guy, a local tv commercial superstar from her childhood, finally deliver for Priscilla? What sort of Freudian psychology is at work there? Well, we just never know, and then the film ends. So, I would have to say that the writing was the downfall of the film. It just didn't develop or explain the characters well leaving behind too many unresolved threads in a plot that wasn't that complicated.
Certainly, this film smacks taboos in the face with the intergenerational relationships, the constant talk about the 'Oh' and achieving it, and the candid nature of the experiences of the characters. This alone, however, does not elevate the film to being a great or even really good film. I sort of pictured this more in the realm of late-night HBO® or Showtime® rather than in an important comedy of our times. The acting is solid and the directing is fine. Technically, the film is of great quality. What it lacks, however, is depth of character. We get no comprehension really as to why Jack is unable to please Priscilla. Is it just him? He seems to be able to please other women. So is it her? Or is it their mutual lack of chemistry? Why is he such a louse really? How does he morally justify his relationship with a student—one of the biggest taboos in all of education even between college professors and students who are all of legal age and consent? Why is Wayne the Pool Guy, a local tv commercial superstar from her childhood, finally deliver for Priscilla? What sort of Freudian psychology is at work there? Well, we just never know, and then the film ends. So, I would have to say that the writing was the downfall of the film. It just didn't develop or explain the characters well leaving behind too many unresolved threads in a plot that wasn't that complicated.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
The OH In Ohio [DVD](2006) DVD
Other Projects Featuring The Oh in Ohio (2006) Cast Members
Parker Posey
• Paul Rudd • Mischa BartonDanny DeVito
• Liza Minnelli • Keith David| DVD |
The Oh in Ohio (2006) Review-lite [150-word cap]
Light weight, somewhat clever comedy, The Oh in Ohio marks Billy Kent's first directing gig in 10 years and his first nationally distributed film. The film has gotten quite a bit of word-of-mouth promotion probably because the 'Oh' is more of a gasped, erotic 'Oh' than an 'Oh, I see' type of an 'Oh'. Early on in the story, we learn that Cleveland marketing executive, Priscilla Chase (Parker Posey) has had intimate relations with her way-too-hairy, high school, science teacher husband Jack (Paul Rudd), throughout their marriage without him even once giving her the ultimate 'Oh'. The film smacks taboos in the face with intergenerational relationships, constant talk about the 'Oh', and candid experiences of the characters. Solid acting and directing cannot hide the lack of depth in the characters. The writing was the downfall as it failed to explain the characters well leaving behind too many unresolved threads.
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