The Oh in Ohio

You are married to the best looking girl in Cleveland; she's clever, beautiful and successful, and fulfils her marital duties as often as you like - what more could you want?

Jack and Priscilla get on brilliantly but he's concerned about one small problem. If you ask Priscilla if she enjoys their frequent sex she will smile and say she doesn't not enjoy it and then search for a nicer way to say that. The big O evades her, whatever they try. Eventually Jack moves out to rediscover himself and Priscilla makes a visit to the local sex boutique.

The Oh In Ohio is a gloriously enjoyable light comedy, mainstream to the core and without even a hint of explicit nudity. It's more a case of smiles than belly laughs, and it threatens to lose momentum halfway through, but it still represents a solid feature debut from director Billy Kent. Parker Posey (Kitty from Superman Returns) carries herself well in the lead, transforming from ice queen executive to a flamboyant, sexually fulfilled woman whose battery-assisted underwear nearly causes her to lose a sales pitch. She pulls of what could be a difficult role with charm and finesse. Her husband Jack (Paul Rudd) goes from being a very depressed teacher to recovering his almost legendary status for inspiring pupils (including a sexually assertive 18-year-old). Pool-guy Danny DeVito, caught in a love triangle where the competition is younger and fitter, is at his most mellow and charming. Somehow this is a film that should have amounted to more than the sum of its parts, and although it avoids the usual pitfalls (including a neat sidestep from the expected cheesy ending) it falls short of being the year's comic masterpiece.

I doubt if The Oh In Ohio will do much for women's liberation, sexual or otherwise, but it does manage to be risqué without ever being offensive and will have a certain broad appeal for a good night out (with the girls, or the boys, or just your other half if you are feeling brave!) Possibly a bit tame by non-US standards (given the plot), but nevertheless a scatty bit of fun which should be enjoyed for what it is.