The Little Death

The Little Death, which hit screens globally in 2014, is an Australian sex-comedy film that explores the strange, hilarious, and complex nature of sexual fetishes and the impact they have on human relationships. The movie is written and directed by Josh Lawson, who also plays a key role in the film. The ensemble cast includes Bojana Novakovic, Damon Herriman, and Kate Mulvany, who deftly bring to life the intricacies and nuances of a wide array of characters, each with their unique quirks and sexual proclivities.

The title of the movie, The Little Death, is a direct translation of the French phrase 'la petite mort', a term which is often used to denote sexual orgasm. The layered and multifaceted narrative is orchestrated in the form of intertwined vignettes, shining a light on the sexual idiosyncrasies of five suburban couples living in Sydney. Each vignette presents a no-holds-barred perspective on different sexual fetishes, navigating the issues through comedy without disregarding the human aspect, giving each character their due depth and substance.

Josh Lawson and Bojana Novakovic play the roles of Paul and Maeve, a couple who despite their genuine love for each other, grapple with understanding and accommodating a particular fetish that Maeve confesses to Paul. The challenge of navigating this newfound information without compromising their relationship becomes a central and recurring theme for their storyline.

There is a delightful play of irony in the lives of Phil (played by Alan Dukes) and Maureen (Lisa McCune), another couple in the film. Phil nurtures a fetish that is linked to his wife's unconscious state, which plunges their relationship into bouts of comedic turmoil.

Kate Box and Patrick Brammall portray the couple Rowena and Richard, who find themselves in the throes of a peculiar fetish that involves tears.

There's also the couple Evie and Dan, played by Kate Mulvany and Damon Herriman respectively, who find themselves at crossroads when they employ role-play to spice up their dwindling sex life, leading to unexpected consequences.

The last couple consists of Monica (Erin James) and Sam (TJ Power) whose lovemaking is hampered by their communication barrier. The punch line of their romance culminates in a hilarious telecommunication mishap.

The final character, an odd thespian who's fond of surprising people with his dangerous fetish, played by Kim Gyngell, rounds out the narrative. His peculiar fetish, juxtaposed with his seemingly innocuous demeanor, provides an additional comic layer to the movie's narrative.

The Little Death uses humor to explore often taboo subjects, creating a balance between unabashed comedic elements and observable human behavior, resulting in a rich, engaging narrative. The film's strength lies in its representation of these different versions of 'normal', showcasing how each character comes to terms with their desires and how they communicate them.

Overall, The Little Death is a daring venture into the seldom-explored realm of sexual fetishes, providing a fresh, at times uncomfortable (in a good way), but always funny perspective on the topic. The film doesn't shy away from presenting the genuine struggles that these individuals face in accommodating their kinks with their partner's expectations, delivering both comedic and poignant moments.

The direction by Josh Lawson is crisp, and the performances from the ensemble cast strike the delicate balance of comedy and drama. Lawson’s script is unflinching and gives the characters depth, humanizing them rather than treating them as mere objects of laughter, which could have been an easy trap to fall into given the subject matter of the film.

In essence, The Little Death unveils the uncomfortable truths and the roller coaster nature of human desires with humor and honesty. It addresses the communication gaps and misunderstandings that stem from sexual taboos. The movie shows, in a wittily crafted manner, how acceptance and open-mindedness are prerequisites in our pursuit of understanding sexuality in its many shades. Ultimately, it's a film that totally redefines the saying ‘love thy neighbor’, giving it a profound, amusing and, at times, a sexy twist!