Sex sells. Sex and fear sells more - thus the profusion of so-called sexperts offering gratuitous advice on our shortcomings in the intimate gymnastics department. Glossy magazines are the worst offenders but documentary makers like to get down and dirty, too. Happily, The Sexual Life of Usis an exception.
It takes a sociological view of Australia's sex life rather than offering tips on "You Go Cowgirl" Kama Sutra pleasure positions or the get-it-on guide to mind-blowing orgasms and handling his/her/their hottest urges.
In a nutshell, over two nights, this locally made doco takes us into the Australian bedroom over the past century through interviews with 20 people aged 18-104. The group includes virgin brides, a war bride, an inter-racial bride, coy men, a bisexual blade, an only gay in the village and a wannabe Lothario.
They're sweet and speak frankly about what goes on when the lights go out. There's a winning authenticity to their tales of pleasures taken, abstinence, love and loss but they contain too few surprises to make it, well, stimulating viewing.
There's no danger of the viewer being playfully touched, licked, stroked or mounted. The pleasure and novelty of sex are only touched upon. Instead,The Sexual Life of Us feels like something that might be accompanied by text labels. Something you might enjoy for a few minutes if you ducked into a museum while waiting for a spot of rain to clear.
Fergus Shiel, Reviewer
March 6, 2008
The Age