Synopsis: A couple feeling the pressures of parenting and adulthood send their kids to winter camp for the first time and embark on a series of sexual adventures to reinvigorate their relationship.
Director: Sean Garrity
Stars: Emily Hampshire, Jonas Chernick, Gray Powell, Lily Gao
In his last film, I Propose We Never See Each Other Again After Tonight, Winnipeg filmmaker Sean Garrity chose a Mennonite and a Filipino Canadian central character because both are prominent in his hometown yet rarely represented in film. Based on that logic, one has to presume his latest release is an effort to convey that marriage is incomplete without a satisfying sex life.
The End of Sex stars Jonas Chernick and Emily Hampshire as Josh and Emily, a married couple with two little girls. Their children go away to camp for a week, leaving our couple by themselves. They seem like a happy couple, but their romantic spark has faded. Their sex life isn’t as exciting as they want it to be, and they both want to rekindle it.
Awkward moments are inevitable when our couple is willing to do anything for the sake of their relationship, which makes for some funny scenes. The director and the two main stars have worked together before, ironically enough, on a film called My Awkward Sexual Adventure.
At its core, this film is a comedy, but it also has some serious moments. The chemistry between Hampshire and Chernick is very strong, and their performances are very authentic.
Chernick, who also wrote the film, has developed a very entertaining script that feels realistic and very relatable.
Many couples hit a crossroads and, in many situations, give up. In this film, we see some very entertaining results as they try to make it work.
Lily Gao deserves recognition for her supporting part as Josh’s co-worker Kelly. Gao has some very strong scene-stealing moments, and I think we all want a ‘Kelly’ in our lives.
Overall, this is a very entertaining film. Garrity’s direction, Chernick’s script, and wonderful performances have tapped into a genuine look at relationships, especially married ones, and for that, the cast and crew should be applauded.
Grade: B+
Watch Keith's interview with director Sean Garrity:
