In Sexual Dependency, the filmmaker Rodrigo Bellott flirts with the allowable limit of themes in one movie. His frenzied but clever first film juggles race, class, jingoism, homophobia, sexual attraction and rape.
Its power lies in the intense, subtle performances of the ensemble cast and Bellott's ability to keep the tangled narrative threads from becoming a knotted mess.
50
Chicago Reader
Chicago Reader
Few movies on the subject of peer pressure offer so wide a cultural critique, even pointing a finger at underwear billboards, and Bellott's roving eye makes him a filmmaker to watch.
50
Variety
Variety
Has more flash than finesse.
50
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
The pace of this Bolivia/US coproduction is slower than that of a snail, but it gathers some interest as the themes of the vignettes dovetail near the end.
40
The Hollywood ReporterMichael Rechtshaffen
The Hollywood ReporterMichael Rechtshaffen
The director's split-screen effects and hand-held digital camerawork go from being innovative to repetitive to irritating in a Santa Cruz minute.
10
Village VoiceEdward Crouse
Village VoiceEdward Crouse
As theory, Sexual Dependency is no worse than a tinny artist's statement, but as moviemaking, it's brutally embarrassing, inexcusable.