While entertaining and truly funny, "The Oh in Ohio" never quite hit the mark for me. It was as if the filmmakers came up with a great premise -- sexual dysfunction in women and how it effects those around them -- but then didn't develop it beyond the "a vibrator changed everything" premise.
There are lots of moments in this film to love, and I have to credit the filmmakers for not going for the sappy happy ending we'd normally expect, and instead having Parker Posey's character find fulfillment somewhere that we'd never expect it at all. Still, the ending seemed abrupt, as if the writer said, "Oh. Page 109. Time to type 'the end'," rather than truly working to an earned place. And, through it all, I couldn't help but think that John Waters could have had a field day with this material. In fact, his "A Dirty Shame" sort of trod these waters already, but with a lot more character development and comedy thrown in.
Side note: while casting Danny DeVito may have been a budgeting coup, and while he was quite good in the role, I think having a star name in his part actually hurt the film, because it telegraphed certain things automatically. And I couldn't help but think, "You know, this would have been really interesting with Ron Jeremy in that part..." It'll make for a good DVD rental although, warning -- if you're in a relationship with any kind of sexual problems, avoid this one like the plague, 'cause it'll just stir the pot. Otherwise, it's good for a few laughs but no great insights, because the filmmakers just didn't go far enough once they'd established their premise.
There are lots of moments in this film to love, and I have to credit the filmmakers for not going for the sappy happy ending we'd normally expect, and instead having Parker Posey's character find fulfillment somewhere that we'd never expect it at all. Still, the ending seemed abrupt, as if the writer said, "Oh. Page 109. Time to type 'the end'," rather than truly working to an earned place. And, through it all, I couldn't help but think that John Waters could have had a field day with this material. In fact, his "A Dirty Shame" sort of trod these waters already, but with a lot more character development and comedy thrown in.
Side note: while casting Danny DeVito may have been a budgeting coup, and while he was quite good in the role, I think having a star name in his part actually hurt the film, because it telegraphed certain things automatically. And I couldn't help but think, "You know, this would have been really interesting with Ron Jeremy in that part..." It'll make for a good DVD rental although, warning -- if you're in a relationship with any kind of sexual problems, avoid this one like the plague, 'cause it'll just stir the pot. Otherwise, it's good for a few laughs but no great insights, because the filmmakers just didn't go far enough once they'd established their premise.