Adam Reynoso ’15 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel in Sex Tape. Photo Credit: Claire Folger/Sony Pictures.
While it takes a little more than a third to really get some laughs, Sex Tape‘s strongest laughs actually come from its supporting cast. As a result, the film uses sex a lot to attemp to be funny and offer some awkward moments as well.
The plot is simple enough. A couple realizes their sex life isn’t what it used to be and they want to try to spice things up. So Cameron Diaz‘s character suggests they make a sex tape. And of course, Jason Segel‘s character accidentally syncs it with all of his devices, which leads them on a hunt to find out who’s sending them texts and retrieve all of the devices.
That’s basically it. The thing about the comedy is that it seems more like something that would make a high schooler laugh, rather than an adult. Because of the title, it’s understandable how much of the comedy would be based around sex, but at least make the jokes funny. At least a movie like The 40-Year Old Virgin was funny and had heart in it as well. Here, it just seems like they’re trying to make as many erection jokes as possible. Rob Corddry and Ellie Kemper in Sex Tape. Photo Credit: Claire Folger/Sony Pictures.
But there were good jokes as well. It mainly came from the supporting cast. The biggest surprise was how funny Rob Lowe‘s character was. He played the seemingly conservative potential boss, Hank to Diaz’s Annie. However, he secretly had an obssession with Disney classics and heavy metal music and cocaine. He suggests they do cocaine and peer pressures Annie into it and it’s the funniest scene, simply because he’s supposed to be this nice, wholesome guy and instead, he’s like, “Lets do cocaine!” Ellie Kemper‘s Tess is also great in her role, as well as Rob Corddry‘s Rob who play their friends.
And then there’s the cameo by Jack Black as well. While he does offer up a few laughs, especially when listing the possible other porn sites Annie and Segel’s Jay could be working for, he isn’t that funny. He just seems to be the guy to call for a small cameo in many comedies recently. Jason Segel and Cameron Diaz in Sex Tape. Photo Credit: Claire Folger/Sony Pictures.
Overall, the film relies too much on the sex and should have spent more time on having funnier leads. Diaz and Segel have both proven they can be comedic gold when given a good script. But here, their talents are fully utilized. A comedy can’t fully rely on its supporting cast. But it does have its funny moments, especially when the couple finally watches the sex tape and it’s ridiculous what all they did. Especially a certain gymnastic move. Overall Rating: B-
