Beyond Witty Words Is ‘Relax’s’ Provocative Story

P.J. Castellaneta’s “Relax . . . It’s Just Sex,” which opened Outfest ‘98, is such a deft, well-shaped piece of work, sparkling with witty dialogue and expert acting from a large cast, that it takes a second look to appreciate fully the range and seriousness of its subtext. Castellaneta’s art is the kind that disguises itself to the extent that amid the repartee you risk being distracted from what a substantial and provocative accomplishment the film really is.

The film is as much about love as it is sex in the ‘90s and is set in motion by struggling gay playwright Vincey (Mitchell Anderson) and his quest for love. Vincey’s great friend is Jennifer Tilly’s giddy but insightful Tara, who has become a den mother to an assortment of gay and lesbian friends, and her L.A. home is the film’s key setting. No sooner does Vincey meet a man he could get serious about, Buzz (T.C. Carson), than he brings him to a regular gathering at Tara’s only to lose him to the brother, Javi (Eddie Garcia), of Tara’s longtime live-in boyfriend Gus (Timothy Paul Perez).

Javi has just tested HIV-positive, and Buzz, who has lost a lover to AIDS, carries his controversial views on the disease to the point of denying a relationship between HIV and AIDS. Meanwhile, Serena Scott Thomas’ Megan has allowed her fling with a cousin (Billy Worth) of her lover Sarina (Cynda Williams) to wreck their affair, propelling Sarina into the open arms of Lori Petty’s Robin, who may just have more to offer Sarina than Megan. Tara desperately wants a child but fails to sense that Gus needs to get away--far away--from L.A. before returning to settle down, even at the risk of losing Tara. Also regulars at Tara’s table are the perfect gay couple (Gibbs Toldsdorf and Chris Cleveland), who not only regularly go to the gym but also to church; they’re sweet and thoughtful but their idea of a problem is a stack of pancakes that turns out badly.

“Relax . . . It’s Just Sex” is for sure a gay film but its view of sexual orientation is as inclusive as its embracing of people of differing races and ethnic groups. While Castellaneta rightly sees no need to comment on the multicultural diversity of Tara’s friends, he is nothing if not comprehensive in dealing with aspects of the gay experience and explores no less conscientiously and insightfully Tara and Gus and their relationship. Indeed, Tara is his most inspired creation, a loving, spirited woman who tends to shy away from life’s more unpleasant aspects, and her mix of ebullience, wisdom, strength and vulnerability provide Tilly with one of her richest roles.

“Relax . . . It’s Just Sex” proceeds with a masterful facility only to break through to a more provocative level with the ultra-realistic gay bashing of Javi and Vincey, during which Vincey succeeds in turning the tables on his attacker to the extent that his revenge sends shock waves through his group. Inevitably, it forces Vincey to take a step back and reconsider his life and friendships from a larger perspective than an intense focus on finding Mr. Right.

The sterling performances of Anderson and Tilly are well-matched by the carefully shaded portrayals of their colleagues, Williams and Petty in particular. There are notable cameos by Paul Winfield as Vincey’s comforting older friend and by Susan Tyrell and Seymour Cassell as Megan’s wealthy parents. Lou Magdich contributed the gleaming camera work that gives the film a sleek look that’s polished way beyond its budget, and the film’s lively pacing is augmented by the zesty big-band sound of Lori Eschler Frystak’s full-bodied score. “Relax . . . It’s Just Sex” is a highly entertaining little movie with a big impact.

* Unrated. Times guidelines: blunt language, sexual candor, some fairly graphic sex and a scene of sexual violence.

‘Relax . . . It’s Just Sex’

Mitchell Anderson: Vincey Sauris

Jennifer Tilly: Tara Ricotto

Cynda Williams: Sarina Classer

T.C. Carson: Buzz Wagner

A Jour de Fe^te Films presentation. Writer-director P.J. Castellaneta. Producers Steven J. Wolfe, Megan O’Neill, Harold Warren. Executive producers Eli Kabillio, Celvin D. Soling. Cinematographer Lou Magdich. Editor Tom Seid. Music Lori Eschler Frystak. Production designer Sharon Lynch. Running time: 1 hour, 48 minutes.

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