I am a Sex Addict (2005)

Of all the movies that I’ve ever watched, the movie that I am going to review this time must be the obscurest movie I’ve ever watched. I mean I have watched a few indie movies before but seriously this movie came to me almost out of nowhere. With the title of ‘I am a Sex Addict’, I was expecting nothing more than what it directly suggests, but instead I found a charming yet also very honest movie about coming to terms with our own demons and finding those who could accept the unsavory parts of ourselves.

This low-key autobiographical movie tells about the experience of the director, Caveh Zahedi; a film lecturer and independent film director and his addiction to, no prize for guessing; sex and how his addiction and various visits to brothel houses and patronage of escort girls ruin his marriages and relationships. What is amazing about this movie is how Caveh, who plays himself in it, is able to turn its biggest disadvantage, its miniscule budget to work for him and charm the hearts of the audience. For example, when reenacting a scene from twenty years ago, he stops his on-camera narration to have his balding hair be sprayed with wig hairspray by a hairstylist before saying to the audience “Imagine this is me twenty-years ago” and getting on right away with the scene. And at times he explains (without sarcasm and irony) how certain scenes can not be shot due to budgetary constraints. The movie is also interspersed with personal footages that Caveh had recorded throughout his life, further blurring the line between fiction and reality.

Now as I have stated before, this movie is not readily available especially in Malaysia which is a shame since this is a very good movie, but do keep an eye for it and buy it if you manage to find it.

The GOOD:
1) An honest story that, despite its creepiness, you could relate to
2) An unwinking and unflinching sense of humour that makes you think that this movie was made to be unintentionally funny. You’re simply laughing for two hours at a moron who can’t keep his boner down to save his life
3) The blurring of fiction and reality is obvious yet seamless at the same time.
4) Ultimately a heart-warming story about our own, very personal flaws and accepting them that is done without making it cheesy
5) A very low-key, yet very charming movie without a lot of whistles and bells that distract you from the story

The BAD:
1) Caveh Zahedi isn’t a really a good looking guy. He looks creepy, to be honest. And he drops his pants and show his (fore)skin quite often in this movie, although you do get to see a lot of naked women at the same time.

Now for my VERDICT for this movie: I’m giving it 9/10 for what it is able to achieve with very little resources.