It might be far too Bridget Jones to say it but the only thing that would be worse than a film about a smug couple would be a film about a smug throuple. So, it’s with relief that we can reveal a major spoiler for this one. The end conclusion of Lust Life Love is mercifully that “Polyamory is just as fucked up as monogamy”
This semi-biographical story about Sex & Relationships blogger Veronica Willow (written and performed by Stephanie Sellars) delves into her experiences on the NYC poly scene. Driven by the principle that ‘There is no such thing as The One. But if I can find a bit of The One in each person that I fall for, what could be more romantic than that?’ she revels in the opportunity to expand her sexual and romantic feelings to a widening group of people.
However, when she struggles with maintaining her attachments to her primary relationships while incorporating others, the doubts start to develop. She realizes that “Polyamory makes me feel like I am above rules, because I make my own rules. But when I break my own rules, there is no one else to blame”. Indeed, the benefits of polyamory start to look like needy grasping ‘The advantages of polyamory is that if one relationship falls apart you are not left stranded. You can always be comforted in the arms of another’
This is not to say that Lust Life Love is not sex-positive. It most certainly is. This cast of lovelies of all sexes, sexualities, roles, and genders flip buns and burgers until everyone is well fed. It draws on the poly sex club scene, its venues and participants to show that the human body is still one of the greatest sources of pleasure even if it lacks the Wi-Fi connectivity of a smartphone. But the film draws back from marketing polyamory as the nirvana of modern relationships by pointing out that those relationships are still entered into by human beings with all their messy ideals, insecurities and demands.
The focus of the film is on its character’s sex and romantic lives, to the point that it seems unlikely they could keep their pants on long enough to have day jobs. Are people really only ever around people that they find attractive or who are attracted to them? This single dimension, however, is explored with an interesting cast and well-written philosophical and psychological underpinnings that stretch both performers and audience.
Review by ANDREW HEBDENQueerguru Contributing Editor ANDREW HEBDEN is a MEDIA & CULTURAL STUDIES graduate spending his career between London, Beijing, and NYC as an expert in media and social trends. As part of the expanding minimalist FIRE movement, he recently returned to the UK and lives in Soho. He devotes as much time as possible to the movies, theatre, and the gym. His favorite thing is to try something (anything) new every day.
Labels: 2022, Andrew Hebden, drama, polyamory, review, Stephanie Sellars
