Sex Addiction Has Heart in ‘Sleeping with Other People’

In the ’80s, romantic comedies were about fantasy, babies and John Hughes thanks to movies like “Splash,” “Baby Boom” and of course “Pretty in Pink.” Then in the ’90s, Nora Ephron owned the playing field giving women everywhere massive amounts of VHS’ to rent. During the turn of the millennium, the plots still had the same feel of a woman needing a man, but there was a bit more sass to the leading ladies. Now with movies like “Trainwreck” the women aren’t playing the hopeful damsels, they’re in charge of their lives and the romance comes around naturally. The same can be said of this month’s “Sleeping with Other People.”

Like in the Amy Schumer summer smash, “Sleeping with Other People” stars a woman named Lainey (Alison Brie) who is not about monogamy.  She has a chance encounter at a sex addicts’ meeting with Jake (Jason Sudeikis) the guy who took her virginity over a decade prior. They embark on a friendship with one rule – no sex. The plot sounds like a viewer would watch on TBS late at night by accident, but just one clip will change that immediately. Those who think sex addicts lack souls, think again. Lainey and Jake have their faults, but together they grow and the heart of the film lies in that growth process.

“Community’s” Alison Brie and “Saturday Night Live” alum Jason Sudeikis star as the leads and it appears that some of his sarcastic style has rubbed off the young actress. Most of his characters have the same, don’t care attitude and Jake is no different, but only this time he grows to care with this one. Of course, the characters would be nothing without writer/director Leslye Headland. She penned the Kevin Hart RomCom “About Last Night” as well as the exploration of female friendships, “Bachelorette.” While those are two great movies, this one could be more well-rounded and her best yet.

Over the years, RomComs have gone from watching a man and woman fall in love in the most dramatic way, often making the audience believe in miracles. Today they’re much more realistic thanks to women writers shaking off the stereotypes and going for it with movies like “Trainwreck” and of course this one from Headland.

“Sleeping with Other People” opens in select theaters Sept. 11.