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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 16, 2008

Updated:

SEX DRIVE

"Sex Drive" is a "Sure Thing" for the "Superbad" generation.

It's a road trip comedy about a teen driving 800 miles to lose his virginity after an Internet hookup with a girl who may or may not be as hot as her Web photo but who has promised to "go all the way." So, no, it doesn't really have the charm of the romantic comedy that John Cusack (a star) and Rob Reiner (a star director) had back in '85. But if it lacks much of "The Sure Thing's" warmth and romance, "Sex Drive" makes up for that in goofy, no holds-barred raunch.

Because dorky Ian (Josh Zuckerman) has that one cocky, sex-obsessed pal, Lance (Clark Duke as sort of a slightly thinner Jonah Hill), along for the ride, there to coach him, to lead by example (sexual conquests along the way), to teach Ian "the ability to close" - the deal, that is.

The problem is that the just-out-of-reach BFF Felicia (Amanda Crew, quite good) invites herself along. She's got a crush on Lance, whose arrogance (and ready cash) are catnip to the ladies. Ian has had a crush on her forever. Pity he can't escape her "friend zone."

Misadventures pile up on our trio as they Ferris Bueller their way from Chicago to Knoxville, Tenn. - car mishaps and a hard-partying community of Amish folk, led by a very dry Seth Green.

Bit players around the edges of this messy and overlong trek are what make the trip work.

R (crude and sexual content, nudity, profanity, some drug and alcohol use - all involving teens); 104 minutes

Roger Moore

The Orlando Sentinel

WHEN DID YOU LAST SEE YOUR FATHER?

Based on the memoir by British writer Blake Morrison, "When Did You Last See Your Father?" uses its title to pose a penetrating question. When did you last see the man when he was himself - not sick, not fading but healthy and vibrant? How you answer largely determines how you will respond to this gloomy little movie, which is frustratingly stagnant at times but ultimately a moving story about a dying father and the son who must come to terms with him.

Colin Firth plays pouty son Blake, an award-winning poet who has never quite forgiven his genial but often crass dad Arthur (Jim Broadbent) for a series of slights. These include, but are not limited to, Arthur's playing jokes on him, disdaining his profession and, possibly, years before, carrying on an affair not quite behind the back of Blake's mother (Juliet Stevenson). Arthur is a scamming back-slapper, the sort of hale fellow people tend to like immediately but whose pushy exuberance wears thin on close contact. Blake just about trembles with indignation in his presence.

Director Anand Tucker ("Shopgirl," "Hilary and Jackie") gets excellent work from Oscar winner Broadbent ("Iris") as Arthur, before and after he's diagnosed with cancer, and Matthew Beard does a nice, awkward job of conveying the teenage Blake's barely suppressed fury in the film's flashbacks. But the adult Blake is such a pill it's hard not to think: Get over yourself, man. You've won an award; you've got a nice wife and kids. You're 40 years old at least. Isn't it time to stop being peeved because you didn't get the dad you wanted?

.

PG-13 (sexual content, adult themes and brief, strong profanity); 92 minutes

Connie Ogle

McClatchy Newspapers

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