Sex and Death 101

Plot synopsis:
Roderick Blank (Simon Baker) is a successful young businessman with a great job as an executive for "Swallows", a high end fast food restaurant chain, and a beautiful fiancée, Fiona Wormwood (Julie Bowen). On the day of his bachelor party, he is e-mailed a list of all the women he has slept with. Strangely, while the list has 101 names, his fiancée is only number 29. He assumes the list is a prank, courtesy of his best friends Zack (Neil Flynn) and Lester (Dash Mihok)—until he meets number 30, Carlotta Valdez, who is the stripper at his bachelor party. After sleeping with Carlotta, he realizes the list does, in fact, comprise all of his sexual partners, both past and future.
Roderick cancels his upcoming wedding and begins to sequentially bed all the people on the list. Although he makes a connection with some of the women, he is unable to settle down and is compelled to continue until he has crossed all names off the list. His friends become concerned for his mental well being and convince him to bury the list. Before he does that, he sees only part of the next name, including "Dr." and the first few letters. He falls for Lester's charming and quirky veterinarian (Leslie Bibb), after believing she is the next name on the list and finding they have much in common, only to discover that she does not return his feelings, and wants to be "just friends". He digs up the list and discovers she was not listed, after which she has an untimely accidental death. He continues on his mission.
Throughout all this, a female vigilante, nicknamed by the media "Death Nell" (Winona Ryder), has been taking revenge on men who she feels have taken sexual advantage of women. She seduces these men and then drugs them to induce a coma, leaving them behind along with a line of feminist poetry spray painted on the wall or ceiling. But after her most recent conquest, she accidentally leaves behind her drivers license, exposing her real identity, Gillian De Raisx, to the world.
Roderick's precarious mental state is compromised when he realizes the last name on his list is Gillian's. With twenty more names left on the list, he decides to abandon it altogether and takes up various hobbies to keep him from giving in to temptation. After an accident during a bike ride, he is found by a group of female students (all virgins) from a Catholic college who believe that he has been "divinely delivered" to deflower them. Roderick is unable to resist and catapults himself from number 82 through number 99 in the space of an afternoon. He realizes only one woman is left, and then he remembers the girls' bus driver was number 100.
Knowing that Death Nell is the last person on his list (and that he may not survive a night with her) Roderick tries to change his destiny, first by becoming a shut in, and then by tracking down another Gillian de Raisx in Sydney, Australia. But when he learns that the Agency are close to catching Death Nell, he has a sudden change of heart. Guilt-stricken over his treatment of his previous conquests, he decides to face the consequences.
Roderick and Gillian meet in a diner, where they share a meal and conversation. Gillian reveals that she was a Poetry/Chemistry student who married young and was forced to perform degrading sexual favors with her husband, who also physically abused her. After his death, which was inadvertently caused by Gillian, she realized that she could dish out similar punishments to other men who treated women badly. Gillian reveals that she is exhausted from the whole ordeal and unsure if she has the conviction to continue. Roderick and Gillian connect, and agree to each take the sedative together. They take the pills simultaneously, and spend the night together, with "The End" spray painted on the wall behind them.
The epilogue reveals that Roderick and Gillian survived the pills, and that Gillian's name was not the last on the list because of impending death but rather because Roderick decides to remain monogamous with her. They are happily married and have a son. Death Nell's comatose victims are revived and a brief scene at the Agency suggests that Roderick and Gillian's union was fated.

Tags: pornographic

Review:
"Sex and Death 101" tries to be so many things at the same: a romantic flick, a dark comedy, a mystery-drama and a highly philosophical movie in the vein of "Matrix" (even including a white room where existential questions are discussed).
Well, as I've said in the headline, the movie definitely does have its intriguing moments and there are quite a few meaningful lines in the script.However, "Sex and Death 101" is too volatile to really be successful in any of the genres it touches.
Characters are introduced and forgotten about in 10 minute-intervals and all of the main characters' friends just kind of disappear at the end, when Winona Ryder's character finally comes into the picture.
When the whole story is finally resolved it doesn't really make sense and leaves you totally uncertain of what the hell it was you just saw."Sex and Death 101" isn't the worst movie you could rent, but it's certainly pretty strange.
In a world where good ol' fantasy movie making has just three letters attached to it (you guessed it: "SFX" - a la everything from majestic Lord of the Rings to cheesy Godzilla - jeez, even the romantic ventures like City of Angels couldn't do away with the bag of tricks), comes a different kind of fantasy-based movie.
I promise, I'm not talking about the the 70s campy soft porn movie that you saw recently.What would happen if a strapping young man (Simon Baker) got a magical e-mail one fine day listing all the women he had slept with and was going to ever sleep with in future?
The intermix of his friends' advice and bickering adds an element of realism even in an escapist fantasy like this.Winona Ryder plays the "death knell" sounding temptress who has been seducing perverted men to coma ridden sleep to, you know, get back at the evil men who have inflicted untold suffering on women.
I have to say I normally don't like romantic comedies, so I didn't have any big expectations for this.The film is about Rodrick who receives an e-mail with all the names of girls he have had sex with, and those he will have sex with within a year.
I won't say the movie is free of clishè, but compared to what were used to with these kind of films- it certainly is a good breath of fresh air.
The plot is funny, the characters are interesting, the actors did a good job, and well the movie was good as well.
Conceptually, the film actually doesn't hit its point until the final twenty minutes in which Baker finally confronts Ryder and accepts his fate.
Yes, this isn't "Heathers" and thankfully, it isn't "Hudson Hawk" either, however, "Sex & Death 101", unlike both of the aforementioned films, doesn't stay with you, for better or worse.
The moment that we see Death Nell writing in her journal (a throwback to Veronica Sawyer in Heathers) really emphasises this...Ryder's representation of the madness of youth and sex and sadness, all connected in one bizarre character.
So, as a film, "Sex & Death 101" isn't great, but as an example of good screen writing and character development (in the case of Death Nell), it is interesting to experience..
"Sex and Death 101" is a dark and savvy little romantic comedy that gleefully dances away from many of the stale and stuffy conventions generally associated with the genre.Simon Baker stars as the allegorically named Roderick Blank, a handsome, seemingly insatiable lady killer who's decided it's finally time to put an end to his womanizing ways in favor of marriage to the beautiful Fiona Wormwood.
Yet, literally on the eve of his bachelor party, Rod receives a mysterious email listing in chronological order not only all the women he's already slept with throughout the course of his life but all the women he is destined to sleep with in the time that still remains to him (the total is 101, if you haven't already surmised that from the film's title).
Part science fiction and part metaphysical morality play, "Sex and Death 101" also boasts two wacky subplots that run contrapuntal to the main story: one featuring Winona Ryder as an avenging feminist who comes in the guise of a serial killer, luring unsuspecting misogynists to their well-deserved destruction; and the other involving three mysterious figures (mad scientists, intervening angels?) who kidnap Rod to inform him that he has been the victim of some bizarre cosmic prank and that he needs to destroy the list before it destroys him."Sex and Death 101" is not a perfect film by any means.
But, on the whole, this is a wildly original and surprisingly incisive look at the different ways in which men and women view sex and romance and the different ways they use both those things to get what they want.
Writer/director Daniel Waters knows how to set even the most hackneyed romantic comedy cliché spinning on its head.
For instance, the movie takes the obligatory "gay best friend" stereotype - who usually comes in the form of a flaming interior decorator or wedding planner - and turns it into a wise-cracking lesbian (smartly played by Mindy Cohn, best known as Natalie from "The Facts of Life"), whose duties as Rod's personal secretary go far beyond merely scheduling his appointments or knowing where his briefcase is.Although Rod is, in many ways, a typical character for a romantic comedy - afraid of commitment, obsessed with nailing every woman who comes his way, etc.
Even though the movie feels a little disjointed and unfocused at times, Waters does a nice job dovetailing all the seemingly unrelated plot elements into a satisfying whole in the end.
"Sex and Death 101" is for those who like a little spice with their romantic comedies..
Left in the hands of someone who is more familiar in rom coms would leave his movie tasting like the typical breast and fart jokes that so many popular comedies are today.Sure, he is shallow.
There are some really funny moments (Patton Oswalt is a riot!), some tender moments, some interesting moments (Bambi and Thumper, Granny C), and 100 moments of romantic comedy.Winona Ryder was amazing.You have to see this one..
Although this film seems like a b-movie or even verging on soft-core porn (if there was actual sex in the film, it would be a soft core porn mainly due to the lighting and obvious low budget) Sex and Death has a few redeeming qualities.
There are moments of insightful "sex isn't what is important in life" expressions, that however verge on forcing the viewer to relate to the main character Roderick Blank.
It has a sweet unpretentiousness to it, that is refreshing amidst the mega-bucks Hollywood romantic comedies with predictable stories, but still feels like it should go straight to video and not bother with the theaters.An interesting premise, with a plot twist that feels very predictable but ends in a surprising way, its still not enough for me to recommend it to anyone, as the film doesn't leave with you anything - no glowing feelings, no revelations, not even a basic contentment after watching a horror, thriller or romantic comedy.
Why did Winona Ryder's character choose to act the way she did (explained but not at all believable)-- what about the motivations of every other character in the film?
Boy, what a waste of time.The main character is Roderick Blank (Simon Baker), a successful metrosexual pretty boy who is getting married in a little over a week.
In order to understand the movie I couldn't think about the machine for too long.Anyway, it's funny that Winona Ryder is listed as a main character as for the majority of the movie she really doesn't have a large role and only for the last 10 minutes of the movie does she actually engage in dialogue that seems to be related with the plot.
Yes, this movie barely has a plot beyond the fascination of seeing a guy having lots of sex.
Like "Boys", where Winona Ryder also plays a part, "Sex and Death 101" makes true justice to its title.
The thing is that with a title like "Boys" there are interesting things to be said, but "Sex and Death 101"That's all there is: sex and death.If I want those things, I can easily find them in a lame erotic film.
"Sex and Death 101" tells the story of Roderick Blank (Simon Baker), an entrepreneur who's about getting married and receives an email with a list of every women he's had sex with and will have sex with.
From that moment on, and I'm sorry if I spoil the ride for you (but all of this and more is in the unappealing trailer, if you've watched it), Roderick leaves his soon to be wife in a ridiculous scene and starts doing what probably any man would do; except that he does it in every scene and the only scenes that are not about it are about their friends (a fat, lesbian secretary and a bunch of married guys) trying to stop him with whatever excuse they find.
There's a woman called Miranda (the charming Leslie Bibb) who's apparently on the list but touches Roderick's heart; which leads Waters to create a joke that consists on everyone asking: "Have you f***ed her yet?".
Simon Baker turns in a fine performance in the leading man role and it his charm which more than anything else enables the movie to be considered at least a mild success.Baker plays successful executive Roderick Blank who is about to be married.
When Roderick accidentally (yes, accidentally) has sex with woman number 30 on the list he realizes there's something going on here.
She plays Death Nell, a shadowy figure lurking mostly in the background of the movie, who goes around seducing men and then putting them into comas.
Death Nell becomes a feminist hero, Roderick goes on sleeping with all these different women and hey, do you think perhaps these two characters might be destined to meet?
Well I certainly hope so or else this whole thing is going to be rather pointless.For a supposed comedy this movie isn't particularly funny.
There are a few good moments here and there but there are a lot of times where the movie drags and there's nothing funny or even interesting going on.
Baker is excellent, Ryder does OK with minimal screen time and there's also room for another somewhat familiar face as playing Roderick's lesbian secretary Trixie is Mindy Cohn.
It was a joy to find that the ending has the same sly and unexpectedly insightful sheen as the opening scenes.It is also wonderful to see the delicious Winona Ryder finally getting another role that comes close to deserving her decadently desirable charms.
Now he's back with a new film in six years which he wrote and directed.Just before he's to marry Fiona, Roderick Blank (Simon Baker) receives an anonymous e-mail with 101 names on it; Fiona's is the 29th, the first 28 are women Rod has slept with.
Because Sex and Death 101 is the movie that put too much ambition for its own good.
In the mean time, Sex and Death 101 was also talking about important subject alright, but it can only be able to educate people about sexuality.
And also a fine performance by Simon Baker, even if he's not particularly A-list star, but he's charming enough to make me bought him as a striking handsome ladies man (he got to sleep with 101 women, alright?).
Comes to think of it, it's almost ten years since her last good role in Girl, Interrupted, I wish she will comeback real soon.Sex and Death 101 may have some sharp idea and hysterical black humor moment, but it tried too hard to be something important (and then chicken out in one of the most whimsy ending I have ever seen).
So one essential thing learned from this movies is, that Daniel Waters should only write, and never again be the director.I won't tell the story, because reading it there wouldn't be much left for watching.
If you expect a great comedy and a nice time in the cinema, then this movie is wrong for you.
Simon Baker is good for romance movies and attorneys, but not for a comedy like this.
This film listed Winona Ryder as a main characterand by the middle of the movie she yet had to appear.
I can't think of a single redeeming quality as to why anyone would watch this piece of tripe!The funniest part about this film was when my boyfriend turned to me and said, "This must have been when Winona Ryder stole something and was desperate for work.".
Perhaps, 'Sex and Death 101' may have looked better on paper which maybe why actors like Simon Baker, Winona Ryder and Julie Bowen agreed to be in it.
Mindy Cohn is a scene stealer as Roderick's lesbian secretary and friend.'Sex and Death 101' does have a few funny sequences that made me chuckle but other than that it's pretty much a halfbaked dish with parts of various ingredients, none of which have been adequately used..
I absolutely loved the movie, it has the best of everything although I doubt it would be the greatest movie to watch with young children or parents.Sex and death has an intriguing storyline which is very linear making it easier to follow (Sorry i wont ruin the story for you).
Then you have this list of the 101 women that the hero of the movie will sleep with until death, or until he falls in lover, or maybe until he gets bored until he bored us to death.
I think that I know what it is - it is a failure that becomes boring after a few minutes of watching and keeps being so despite the amount of beautiful women and the neat film-making.
With Sex and Death 101, Daniel Waters does for the romantic comedy genre what he did for the teen genre in Heathers.
When you're making a movie and the best thing about it is "The Facts of Life" Mindy Cohn's performance as a lesbian secretary, you've got problems.Sex and Death 101 is a movie that tries to tell one-and-a-quarter stories.
One full story is about Roderick Blank (Simon Baker), a guy who's all ready to settle down and get married when he gets a list in his e-mail.
I say it's a quarter of a story, because even though you know Roderick and Death Nell will be getting together, her role is barely more than a glorified cameo.Firstly, this film is a great example that you shouldn't make a whimsical romantic comedy with a writer/director who not only doesn't understand women, he doesn't even understand men.
The characters in Sex and Death 101 are clever, colorful and occasionally funny, but there's not a single moment when you actually feel anything for any of them.
The movie deals with the implications of knowing which women absolutely will and which absolutely won't have sex with you in a detached fashion, but then forces poor Simon Baker to ridiculously overact when the story suddenly dictates that Roderick have an emotional crisis by falling in love with a girl who's not on the list.There is some decent female nudity in the film, but not from any of the big name actresses (not even Mindy Cohn) and it's all in the first half, before the story gets all wrapped up in the mysterious entity that sent the list to Roderick and how his story is intersecting with Death Nell's.
It's too delicate to mine the laughs out of the raw pain of Roderick's predicaments, so the humor never rises above the sitcom level, with the jokes telegraphed so clearly that you can see them coming during the movie you watch before you watch Sex and Death 101.
Winona Ryder turns up throughout the film as a parallel storyline as a mysterious killer.
She is the dark counter play to the lighter male storyline.I see this film as a story about how good people can be swallowed up by bad experiences and fate, but that how in the end true optimism and kindness will win out.It is a lovely film to watch if you want some laughs, and a gentle but interesting and surprising storyline.Not for prudes though..
A simple, light comedy that takes a skewed view of the war between the sexes - probably more topical in the 1970s than today.There are some absurd plot holes - the "Machine" that sends prophetic emails, the three characters who work for the machine (Alpha, Beta, and Fred), who take months to track down a serial killer - yeah, plot holes in the SF/mystical end of things - but that wasn't really the movie's focus.
I love Simon Baker and I thought that the idea was pretty interesting, but boy oh boy was it delivered badly.This "ordinary" guy (I mean, how ordinary can you be when you're a playboy) receives a list with the names of all the women he's ever slept with and will sleep with.
I guess it's supposed to be a dark sex comedy, but it comes off as dry and "edgy".
It becomes one halfway through, I can say at least that.All in all, the only reason why you may want to see the movie is Simon Baker.
When a marrying man Roderick Blank (Simon Baker) learns from a list of destiny that he will have sex with 101 women in his lifetime, and his fiancée is only the 29th, he cancels the wedding and looks for the women on the list.
The 101st turns out to be a serial killer, Death Nell (Wynona Ryder), but it takes little guess to tell that the last one on the list is the one he will marry.