Orgies and the Meaning of Life (2008) User Reviews

Don't think the film is sexy or erotic.

[cinepodguy · 4/10 · 21 December 2008]

A offbeat, bizarre film themed with dark humor and sex which concerns a young man trying to sell his book of stick figure drawings. Enter his obsessions with finding a great 'sex'? partner through a bunch of real and perhaps "not real" sex romps. Since the title suggests a sexy or erotic film with lots of T & A and no doubt that is what these filmmakers actually tried to make.. it isn't. Many "clothed" sex scenes, no real flesh on display and typical, repetitive blanket covered eroticism. Very reserved American style here folks. There are many supposed erotic scenes but it's as if they were all filmed for a PG-13 audience.

Typical of the American filmmaker who tries as he may to make a sexy movie but just kinda, can't. They are often just a tad afraid to show what they really want to and that really comes off in this film quite strongly. As one reviewer points out, it's one film trying to be another. tisk- tisk. I've always thought that American filmmakers who wish to make a sexy film should first consult some European, Japanese or Latin cinema first. At least they can get it done.

More comments than votes

[edchin2006 · 3/10 · 26 December 2008]

The fact that there are more comments than votes should tell you something about the film.

No, this is not the worst film I've ever seen. Then again it is far from being mediocre - on the wrong side of mediocre. Better ways of wasting your time might be to see Eraserhead or Pink Flamingos. (These two are actually worse but have the benefit of cult status.)

You gotta think that there's gotta be a reason why the IMDb plot summary is signed Anonymous. They let anyone write comments!

If the people associated with the film aren't ashamed to have their names listed in the credits, why would a commenter hide behind Anonymous?

IMDb's unfortunate summaries

[groggo · 1/10 · 5 November 2008]

This was a pretty flimsy film that tried for artsy and ended up as an excursion in confusion. It tries to be 'profound' and 'existential,' yet it is never for a moment convincing.

If you read the IMDb summary for this film, you'd think you were in for something really special, a once-in-a-lifetime examination of a young man's travail. The problem is, the gushing summary was submitted, word-for-word, through the film's website.

IMDb has to clean up its act. This flagrant 'puff-piece' by the film's principals and promoters should never have appeared on IMDb as an 'objective' summary of the film itself.

Basically, the story concerns a young man's desire to have his book published. It's a book about stick figures trying to find meaning that transcends orgies with real and imaginary women. The young man searches for 'The One,' which is shorthand for what mere mortals used to call 'a true love'. In this film, 'The One,' a hackneyed term at the best of times, becomes an over-inflated motif for bargain-basement philosophy. The film is little more than an examination of a man's angst in trying to find himself. Despite IMDb's unctuous, self-serving summary, there's nothing new here at all.

This is not an existential film. It's just another 'coming of age' flick that haughtily pretends it's something else.

I've said it before: IMDb very often cannot be trusted as a reliable source for film summaries and even criticism. Many of the people who give outrageously high ratings on the IMDb board are those who made the film and their myriad friends. At best, it's spectacularly misleading.

Excellent independent film with some flaws

[televisionthomas · 9/10 · 28 February 2009]

I loved this film. I've seen harsh reviews from disappointed folks thinking from the word "orgies" that it's porn, and then putting it down because it's not superficial or pornographic, but instead is a surprising, artsy film about feelings and intimacy.

I really identify with Baxter the main character, his flaws and fears as he searches for intimacy in relationships. The only "orgies" are Baxter's fantasies he uses in his head during sex to perform when he doesn't feel intimacy. As Baxter struggles with various relationships and a controlling religious fundamentalist father, he is writing a graphic novel about a stick figure who is trying to find a portal to the 3D world; this stick-figure is a metaphor for Baxter's own search for authenticity, meaning, and intimacy in his own life.

The film works, and I recommend it highly. It has some problems, and it's not anything like a polished mainstream Hollywood film, sure. But it's a gem. And that Brad Gottfried wrote, directed, and starred in this wonderful tale makes me want to see anything and everything else he's written or directed. I can understand the bad reviews if you like mainstream Hollywood stuff, but if you like eccentric quirky tales about misfits trying to overcome sexual hangups and express themselves authentically, I think you won't be disappointed with this one.

Could've been a cult classic.

[cgo72123 · 6/10 · 21 December 2008]

Transgressive fiction; though unclear and incomplete. The idea was there, and so were the quotes. Gottfred should have just done the writing for the movie, and left the direction, production, and acting to one more adept. It's a real pity this is not a novel, as I always resort to novels when I'm unfulfilled by the movie (such as Choke). Poor acting and lack of communication with the viewer make the film a six by my standard. I dedicate myself to this type of movies, and the fact that I did not really get some of the things Gottfred intended to do suggests that the average viewer will have a much lesser chance. Yet, at end, I am glad I took the time to see the movie, many can get something out of it.

A shock of blue

[wgstatler · 10/10 · 12 February 2009]

Just saw this little nugget. I'm giving it a ten because it doesn't deserve its current rating. My true rating would be a seven - although for originality alone it deserves an 11. Orgies sports a cartoon feel throughout (even the blue book Baxter carries around) and is exceptionally odd. But I've never been one to think of odd as a bad thing, even when some of the pieces don't fit together in a particular way. In fact, odd makes me think more than would a surefire formula. And I therefore found myself engaging in this film. The animation is minimal which - for me - heightens the 'quest' theme. And at the end of the day, aren't we all on some sort of quest for meaning - no matter how bizarre or futile it may be. Amen.

Art piece...

[grantball66 · 7/10 · 18 October 2009]

A truly interesting movie, albeit very much low budget. It is an art piece to be sure - more about ideas than story. Especially ideas about shame and intimacy. Some of the supporting women are superb and I wish the director would have focused a little more on their development as characters. The score is also very good (thanks in part to Peter Stormare of FARGO fame - who has a terrific cameo). His character could have also used another scene or two. The animation - for the most part - is quite good, and adds another layer of parallel to the main character's struggle. Although the movie is riddled with flaws, I liked it. And I would compare it to a walk through a gallery. Some very interesting pieces, others not so much. 7 out of 10.

Quirky!

[noon_dale · 8/10 · 21 November 2008]

The prior reviewer probably doesn't like stick figures.

I found the synopsis to be accurate.

Anyway, this film is VERY quirky.

Yes, it is low budget. But it is creative, wacky, and quite witty. The animation is really neat.

No, it is not a perfect film, but there are some really nice moments.

It is rather nifty the way the book comes to life. I think those that love 'quirky/different' will appreciate it - and no, it is not your typical big- budget - kill-everything-in-sight Hollywood blockbuster! If that is what you prefer, then watch something else.

one view

[eblss72 · 8/10 · 21 January 2009]

I believe the "hackneyed" term "the one" was included for precisely that reason. Part of the human condition, it seems, is to search for "the one," and the film pokes fun at this commonly shared journey quite cutely and uniquely. Although I do not know the director or his intent, and without giving too much away, it is my understanding that despite Baxter's relentless efforts to find "the one" externally, he unexpectedly (or perhaps unknowingly) finds it internally, which is "the meaning of life."

Although I loved the symbolism and its conceptualized spiritual themes, I admit there were parts that did not connect as readily for me; however, this could easily have been my overlook rather than the director's. Regardless, this film made me think and it was fun to hypothesize about, which is why I really enjoyed it. I admire those who have the strength of character to share their creative vision(s) with the world, however it may be interpreted is always interesting but should not take away from their process, as it is all Goode.

light, but fun/witty view of a serious subject

[solotaurus · 8/10 · 4 July 2009]

There's already several accountings of the plot here, so I won't add one. I like off-beat and quirky media and this film provides that. It does it with a nice, light and fun flair in my opinion. It's listed as a drama, but I'd put it into the dark comedy category. This film is worth watching. It's anything but pornographic and I don't think the writer/director ever intended it to be. I can't see inside someone's intent or try to pull meanings from so few words that someone's written here but it seems to me that some of the comments already posted either missed what I found to be the "meaning" in the film or perhaps I found my own meanings from it that the writer/director never intended. Whichever the case may be, simply put, I liked this film because it made me smile and reflect on my own thoughts and fantasies about life, sex, love(the One) and God. Any film, book or conversation that can do that is OK in my ledger.