Okay, let's dim the lights, maybe adjust the tracking just a bit on that imaginary CRT, and pop in a tape that practically jumped off the video store shelf with its title alone. Remember seeing that distinctive box for Casual Sex? (1988) nestled between the action flicks and horror staples? It promised a certain kind of late-80s romp, but delivered something... well, a bit more complicated, and definitely a product of its very specific time.
### Spa Days and Dating Haze
The premise feels pure 80s wish-fulfillment mixed with headline anxiety: two single friends, Stacy (Lea Thompson) and Melissa (Victoria Jackson), ditch the dating scene disappointments of Los Angeles for a week at a luxurious health spa, hoping for relaxation and maybe, just maybe, finding Mr. Right (or at least Mr. Right Now). This setup alone probably fueled countless weekend rentals based on the title and the familiar faces of its leads. Lea Thompson was riding high from Back to the Future (1985) and, bless her, even Howard the Duck (1986), bringing a relatable warmth and grounding presence. Opposite her, Victoria Jackson, then a fixture on Saturday Night Live, leans heavily into her ditzy, wide-eyed persona, creating a classic "odd couple" dynamic.
What immediately set Casual Sex? apart, both then and now, was its direct confrontation with the chilling reality looming over the dating world in 1988: the AIDS epidemic. This isn't just background noise; it's woven into the fabric of the characters' conversations, fears, and decisions. Seeing these two women navigate the already treacherous waters of attraction while simultaneously grappling with life-and-death consequences felt... bold. Maybe even a little jarring, stuffed inside what looked like a breezy comedy.
### From Stage to Screen Anxiety
It's interesting to know this film actually originated as a stage play by writers Wendy Goldman and Judy Toll. You can feel those theatrical roots sometimes, particularly in the direct-to-camera narration and the dialogue-heavy scenes where Stacy and Melissa dissect their experiences. This translation, helmed by first-time (and only-time) feature director Geneviève Robert, gives the film a unique, almost intimate feel, even amidst the spa shenanigans. It feels less like a slick Hollywood product and more like an earnest attempt to capture a specific female perspective on the anxieties of the era.
The supporting cast adds layers to this slightly strange concoction. Stephen Shellen plays Nick, the musician who catches Stacy's eye, embodying a certain kind of sensitive-but-maybe-a-bit-flaky 80s dude. And then there's the truly "of its time" appearance by Andrew Dice Clay as Vinny, the stereotypical loudmouthed New Yorker. Seeing him here, just as his controversial stand-up persona was exploding, is a definite time capsule moment, adding another layer of late-80s cultural specificity. His scenes, though brief, feel like they landed directly from a different, much broader comedy.
### Comedy in the Shadow of Crisis
So, how does the comedy hold up? It's... variable. Some of the observational humor about dating rituals and spa culture still lands with a knowing chuckle. The chemistry between Thompson and Jackson is genuine, providing the film's emotional anchor. Thompson, in particular, does a lot of heavy lifting, conveying Stacy's mix of hope, vulnerability, and weariness with finding a connection in a scary new world. Jackson's Melissa, while often played for laughs with her naive pronouncements, also represents a genuine fear and confusion many felt at the time.
However, the film walks a very fine line, and sometimes stumbles. The marketing tagline was "An Epidemic Comedy," which feels almost unthinkable today. Trying to mine humor from situations fraught with genuine mortal danger is a high-wire act, and Casual Sex? doesn't always maintain its balance. Moments intended to be funny can occasionally feel awkward or even uncomfortable when viewed through a modern lens. Yet, you have to respect the attempt. In an era often characterized by escapism, here was a mainstream comedy trying, however imperfectly, to engage with a frightening real-world issue head-on, particularly from a female viewpoint. It wasn't a huge hit, earning back its modest $3 million budget but not setting the box office alight, suggesting audiences perhaps weren't quite sure what to make of its tonal blend either.
### Nostalgia and Nuance
Watching Casual Sex? today is a fascinating experience. It's undeniably dated in its fashions, its soundtrack, and some of its attitudes. But it's also a surprisingly frank and often poignant snapshot of a specific moment in cultural history. It captures the pre-internet awkwardness of meeting people, the pressure to pair up, and the sudden, terrifying intrusion of a health crisis into the most intimate aspects of life. I remember renting this one, drawn by the cast and the slightly illicit promise of the title, and being surprised by its underlying seriousness. It wasn't the laugh-riot the cover might have suggested, but it stuck with me.
Rating: 6/10
Justification: The film earns points for its brave (for 1988) premise, tackling the AIDS crisis within a comedic framework, and for the earnest performances, especially from Lea Thompson. Its stage origins give it a unique voice, and it serves as a valuable, if sometimes awkward, time capsule of late-80s dating anxieties. However, the tonal shifts can be jarring, some comedic elements haven't aged well, and it doesn't fully succeed in balancing its serious themes with its lighter moments. It falls short of being a classic, but it’s far more interesting than a simple sex comedy.
Final Take: More thoughtful than its provocative title suggests, Casual Sex? is a rental worth revisiting not for flawless comedy, but as a curious, sometimes clumsy, yet uniquely honest artifact from the shelf – a reminder that even mainstream comedies in the VHS era occasionally dared to whisper about uncomfortable truths.