In Aschlin Ditta’s Scenes of a Sexual Nature seven couples discuss different aspects of their relationships on a balmy afternoon on Hampstead Heath. The park sets the scene for a meandering film about love and the nature of conversation that never truly seems to figure out what exactly it is about.
A more apt title would have been “scenes in which various couples discuss marginally interesting topics that are completely unrelated to one another,’ as, save for one awkward fumble in the bushes, there are no scenes of a sexual nature to be found anywhere in this film.
Over Edited Sequences Lead Audience Round in Circles
The narrative is sliced and diced into small ten minute sections in which a variety of characters and stories are introduced. There is a married couple arguing over the husbands wandering eye, a gay couple contemplating adoption, a prickly blind date, a could-be couple, and a chance encounter that leads to a miraculous discovery, to name the most interesting.
Each scene contains subtle humour and fleeting insights, but unfortunately do not lead the audience anywhere but round in circles. And although the conversations do at times prompt a wry smile or tender frown, no arc occurs in any story, and no change in any character that is substantial enough for anyone to dub this screenplay as ‘drama.’
Surprisingly the material attracted several heavyweight actors, which ultimately saves the film from slipping into tedium. Sophie Okonedo and Tom Hardy are delightful as a just dumped girlfriend and the hapless, but sweet young man who tries to pick her up. They have such electric chemistry that it doesn’t matter that nothing is really happening. Another gem of a scene is the blind date, in which two fourtysomethings attempt to connect over a vintage bottle of Bordeaux. The performances from Gina McKee and Hugh Bonneville are subtly and intricately rendered, giving life to the characters beneath the words.
Capable Actors Can't Rise Above Material
The ability of these four actors is quite evident when contrasted with the poor skill in which the dialogue is treated by some of the other cast members. Eileen Atkins and Benjamin Withrow who play the Old Couple are quite contrived, delivering each line with an ironic sigh and barely attempting to create any form of character past what they have read on the page. Similarly the married couple are farcically played with such a heavy lack of subtlety that it is hard to believe Holly Aird and Andrew Lincoln are usually capable actors.
Despite the best efforts by everyone involved Scenes of a Sexual Nature has little structure and no climax to speak of; it meanders its way through two hours and leaves the audience with nothing more than a desire to take a stroll in the park.
