Haley Joel Osment? Yes. Funky Seventies soundtrack? Hell yes! Great jokes that actually hit home? Well yeah! What the hell am I raving about? Isaac Feder’s Sex Ed, a quirky comedy out of nowhere that has heart and laughs, that’s what I’m talking about kiddos. This film just blew into my life like a freight train from Florida and ran my ass over; I loved every minute of this film. For those who don’t know, Adolescent Health Issues are a hot button topic for many parts of the country, even today. This film not only attempts to discuss this issue, but tell the story of a young teacher’s struggle to make his way in the career world, and in life.
First and foremost: This movies sticks to its guns, which impressed me to no end. The themes that are discusses are (obviously) sexual education and it’s place in the school system as we know it. The film takes the firm stance that it needs to be taught in schools in some form or another. How is this presented? Well, by our hero Ed Cole (Haley Joel Osment from The Sixth Sense and Pay it Forward) as he finds his first teaching job at an after school program hosted in a Cuban Neighborhood Middle school in Florida. He takes it upon himself (after a messy mishap) to teach the course as a Sex Ed class, all the while courting the sultry Pilar (Lorenza Izzo, of Aftershock and the upcoming The Green Inferno) and fighting a local Reverend/parent (Chris Williams, of Still Waiting and Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever, side note, why is the latter even a film?) to keep the program alive.
While the film does succumb to a few feel-good comedy tropes, such as the clap worse than the STD, the dreaded end of movie post inspirational speech slow clap, it does have a lot of soul to it. Not only in the fact that the film really conveys emotion and passion not only for its message but for its characters, but in the fantastic Soul/Latin soundtrack. The score shifts based on setting and character focus. If Eddy is front and center, then it’s sweet 70’s funk. However, once the setting shifts to Ed’s new profession, you start to hear more Latin Jazz fusion, then in certain scenes, full on Latin swing. This device really stands out in the best of ways, adding to either the drama or the comical tone of the film.
Acting is superb all around. Side characters not only have some development (in the form of Ed’s friends) but are all decently funny actors on their own. There’s a lot of “playing it straight,” style gags that just play right into Osment’s goofy character. I really don’t want to ruin much about this flick, it’s just a really good ride. Be warned, if you don’t like dry humor, this movie will fall really flat, you HAVE to like this kind of comedy and you’ll be able to tell in the first few scenes if it’s for you.
Finally, that ending! Subtle, but awesome! Post Credit Conversation! So funny! Want to know what the hell I’m talking about? Then go watch Issac Feder’s Sex Ed. Four Stars all the way my friends. I’m glad I watched this movie.