Sex Ed

Sex Ed is a refreshing and uniquely poignant film that debuted in 2014, directed by Isaac Feder and brought to life by a colorful cast that includes Haley Joel Osment, Lorenza Izzo, and Kevin Balmore. The film is a socially relevant and entertaining mix of comedy and drama that centers on fostering important, often overlooked conversations about human sexuality and education.

The film's central character is Eddie Cole, played by Haley Joel Osment, who has made audiences fall in love with his performances in films such as 'The Sixth Sense' and 'A.I. Artificial Intelligence'. Here, Osment plays a slightly different character from his typical dramatic roles. Eddie is an affable, promising, but somewhat sexually inexperienced young man who finds himself in a predicament that is both hilarious and heartwarming.

Eddie's life takes an unexpected turn after he lands his first teaching job in middle America. Due to a mix-up with the curriculum, he ends up being tasked with teaching sex education, despite having no formal education or personal experience in the subject. As he kicks off his teaching career, he quickly realizes his students know significantly more about sex than he does. This interesting and ultimately revealing predicament sets up the comic and dramatic nuances of the film.

This unique situation allows Eddie to learn – often through embarrassingly hilarious situations – more about his own personal sexual education than his students do. These amusing yet poignant moments also enable him to learn a wealth of knowledge about life, relationships, and the importance of maturity in handling sensitive subjects. As a result, Sex Ed becomes a tale of personal growth as much as it is a comic edge on unconventional teaching.

Lorenza Izzo, exemplarily displaying her versatility, plays the role of Pilar, an exotic single mother who lives in the same building as Eddie. Pilar is initially wary yet fascinated by Eddie's hearty, albeit naïve, attempts at teaching sex education. As the movie progresses, their relationship evolves, adding a compelling dimension to the story.

Young actor Kevin Balmore, known for his roles in films like 'Savages' and 'Instructions Not Included', gives an endearing portrayal of Hector, one of Eddie's students. Hector's innocence and curiosity about a topic shrouded in awkwardness by adults allows the film to explore the significance and impact of sexual education on young minds.

Sex Ed is a clever crisscrossing of comedy, drama, and growing up, focusing on sexual education from a fresh perspective. It attempts to break stigmas associated with discussing sex openly, especially in academic settings, by putting its protagonist in an absurd but hilariously relatable situation. The film underscores the importance of proper sex education in schools while also accentuating how inadequate it can be in certain places and circumstances.

A mix of charming life lessons, awkward first-time encounters, and edgy humor, this movie is an enjoyable watch that is never heavy-handed despite its focus on a sensitive topic. It is as much a comment on the fractured state of sex education in certain areas as it is a rib-tickling experience about a young man trying to find his bearings in life and love.

At times thought-provoking, frequently funny, and always real, Sex Ed succeeds as an unconventional coming-of-age tale. It offers a comical yet thoughtful look at a crucial aspect of youth education that is often swept under the rug. Ultimately, the film invites the audience to ponder whether the most important lessons about life and love are taught in school or lived in real life.