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(3.5 STARS) Funny Romantic Comedy from Hungary

Tsuyoshi | Kyoto, Japan | 06/21/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Csak szex és más semmi" ("Just Sex and Nothing Else") is a romantic comedy from Hungary, where it is reported the film became a huge hit in 2006. If you see the film, you will not be surprised.



After her disastrous relationship with a lawyer and very embarrassing incident on the balcony, a 32-year-old single woman Dóra (Judit Schell) meets a handsome actor Tamas (Sandor Csanyi of "Kontroll"). She takes an instant dislike to Tamas, a playboy who happens to be the star of the local stage "Dangerous Liaisons" (he is to play Valmont). Coincidentally Dóra, a dramaturge, has been working on the script for the very production he is in. This means, like it or not, they have to meet each other.



Tamas is not a bad guy, as it turns out, but what Dóra really wants is a baby, not a guy (hence the film's provocative title). Well, that is what Dóra says anyway, being totally fed up with males. Things become complicated when she meets a kind and timid pianist / composer Péter (Zoltán Seress) who is attracted to her.



Krisztina Goda's film starts off with slick storytelling, using several set-pieces effectively to introduce the main and supporting characters including Dóra's best friend Zsófi (Kata Dobó). The story itself is predictable, and some of the episodes look very familiar with the likable heroine doing things at wrong time and wrong place (like, say, Bridget Jones), but the film, bolstered by the excellent acting of the entire cast, makes for enjoyable viewing, and would make you smile and giggle many times.



Probably the most notable thing about "Just Sex and Nothing Else" is that despite the film's potentially serious topics, the film remains charming throughout (it even has bloopers at the end credit). With a less skillful director the heroine Dóra would have looked selfish or childish, alienating most of the audiences. Fortunately this doesn't happen here, thanks to the film's snappy pace and able cast. Not exactly the greatest romantic comedy, but the film is still funny and pleasant."