By Melissa Antoinette Garza
I love Nick Kroll. I will watch him in anything. I adore him on The League, his stand-up is amazing, and I am anxiously awaiting The Kroll Show to appear on Comedy Central. He’s just awesome.
So, I was going through his filmography, which anyone who reads my reviews regularly knows I often will go through an actor’s previous work when I find myself enjoying their current project(s).
I saw that Kroll had a semi-starring role in A Good Old Fashioned Orgy. I was a little apprehensive about watching it because I didn’t want to see just some stupid sex comedy. I hate movies like Van Wilder, Porky’s, and American Pie. It isn’t that I’m a prude; it’s just that I don’t find them funny. I’m not offended by them. I just think they’re lame.
Nonetheless, my appreciation for Kroll won over and I started A Good Old Fashioned Orgy. I am so happy that I turned it on. In this case, one cannot judge a film by the name. It’s nothing like the sex romp comedies that just suck. Instead, it is one of the best comedies I’ve seen in quite some time.
It opens with 30 something Eric Keppler (Jason Sudeikis) having a huge party at his father’s summer home. Eric typically throws huge outrageous bashes for his friends, but is upset to learn this one may be his last. His father (Don Johnson) is planning to sell the home.
Eric tells his friends the bad news and decides to have one more event though this time it will be far different. He asks his closest pals to participate in an orgy. At first, some say no but eventually they all come around. Even Adam (Nick Kroll), who is a hypochondriac worried about all sorts of diseases decides to jump in with wild abandon.
Meanwhile, Eric begins dating the real estate agent Kelly (Leslie Bibb) who is in charge of selling the summer home. At first, he does so just to try and delay the inevitable, but he ends up genuinely falling for her. He questions whether or not to tell her about the orgy and ultimately keeps quite upon the suggestion of his best friend Mike (Tyler Labine).
Despite the basic premise, this is quite a complex comedy. The relationships between the friends are examined on a very real level. The conversations though comical have a tone of sincerity and honesty that is refreshing.
The characters have depth, are well-developed and each one is distinct from one another. In many movies, the only voice heard is the writer’s. These are the films where every character sounds alike. Here that’s not the case. It’s so encouraging to watch a movie where sentiments differentiate from each other. It speaks volumes on the talent and creativity in the team who produced the film.
The acting was topnotch. Everyone in the movie does a fantastic job. Overall, the whole production reminded me a lot of The Big Chill, but still found a way to remain original and captivating.
I can’t recommend it enough and truly think most will enjoy it immensely.
Scared Stiff Rating: 8.5/10
