The term modern classic may seem oxymoronic in a box office day and age dominated by kiddie filmfare, retro remakes and superhero franchise sequels. But this rare chick flick from 2008 which became an online streaming sensation, is an example of why it is never good to totally discount or write off Hollywood creativity as long as indie filmmaking exists.
Strictly Sexual, directed by Joel Viertel and written by Stevie Long who also stars, is a well crafted millennial B cinema yarn about two carefree Hollywood Hills babes, parent wealthy aspiring screenwriter (Amber Benson) and up 'n coming fashion designer (Kristen Kerr) who are on the prowl at a pickup bar where they meet two out of work construction workers, Johann Urb and Long resettling in LA from the east coast.
Mistaken for gigolo escorts, the two get taken home for one nighters and are then offered a handsome payment the morning after. But their refusal and subsequent about face land them a domestic romantic situation as kept cabana boy toys. And what makes the chemistry work is the dichotomy between the sexuality of the girls, with Benson's character being a masochistic nympho and Keer's an inexperienced innocent.
The plot revolves around how they make it work as the guys realize that in a world where their elite betters shun love and buy sex, they are not treated as equals even as they fall for the two and endear themselves as assistants to their writing and fashion professions. When one is offered a modeling job at fashion show, his good fortune coupled with control freak issues of the lady of the house threatens to break up the affair.
Without giving up the cupid end game, suffice to say that there is enough happy ending and relationship realism here to satisfy both female fans and macho aloof alike. If you dislike romantic comedies but must appease your better half, you can't do better than to fall for this film.
With stark clever dialogue and offbeat situational romance mischief, it stands on its own as the thinking man's chick flick. You can't go wrong with a rental at Netflix or a purchase at Amazon.
