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Phone Sex It's a very fine time when you see a filmmaker use film not for a movie, but as an art form. "Phone Sex" from writer/director Steve Balderson is not an easily categorized function but capable of multiple applications. The premise is easy to understand, Balderson had his close acquaintances (including Ron Jeremy, Margaret Cho, Penn Jillette and Chi Chi La Rue) phone him and leave a message answering one question. Now, before you get the idea that this is an "Aristocrats" homage, remember this is not a standard film, built for a particular reaction. The question asked to over three-dozen people: "What is sexy?" The answers could easily have been sub par and uninspiring, so a titillating question was needed. This is not "What's your favorite song?" or "What's your favorite movie?", it's a question that hits us at the bone, in the framework. In the words of Josie Cotton from "Phone Sex": "I'm trying to describe in words, something that is pure feeling". The recorded messages are interwoven with hypnotic, gliding images acting to enhance the individual answers. I found it interesting that many who called seem a bit bothered by their answers as if they were unhappy they couldn't quantify what sexy was to them. I thought this was one of the best effects of this piece, that for the entire 95 minutes their probing for answers had me asking my self "What is sexy?" Every answer is as thought inducing and different as the one before it. A few examples of what sexy is: Teeth, men shaving, flowers, smells, tigers, honesty/integrity, tornados, hurricanes, and world peace. You name it and someone finds it sexy. Also enjoyable is the fact that most callers don't readily identify who they are; you're left wondering who's speaking while intently listening to the voices. Words begin to take shape in your mind and at that point you're debating the question with the voice itself. I watched "Phone Sex" straight through like a standard movie, but feel that I missed allot of peripheral information. Yet, as a piece of art, everyone is allowed to experience and take it in differently. You won't miss any plot points by letting yourself wander a bit. However you choose to enjoy "Phone Sex", it will be as thought inducing and different as the person before you. -Jim Jacka
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