Rating of
3/4
Looking Forward to a Little...
Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/07/14
Who says that men are the only ones who can go through a midlife crisis? Kathryn Hahn is Rachel, a woman with one child and marriage to Jeff (Josh Radnor) that is coming apart. She spends her days with a cadre of other women (which she spends more time trying to avoid), or talking with a therapist (an always welcome Jane Lynch) and her nights not having a physical relationship of any sort.
But one of her friends suggest she visit a strip club as she finds it always gets her husband in the mood and leads to some "mind-blowing sex". So, with nothing to lose, she drags her husband (really, a man who doesn't enjoy a strip club?) along and, after a few drinks, they start to have a good time. Eventually, as often happens, her husband picks out a random stripper - McKenna (played by the wonderful Juno Temple) and, after a lap dance - she goes home, pukes (so, no sex) and yet... she can't get that girl out of her mind.
Fast forward a few days and she finds herself going back to the strip club and "accidentally" running into McKenna again. Through a series of events, the young stripper is suddenly part of her house as a "guest" - but the short-lived stay is extended as she becomes the unofficial nanny of the house as well. But things are complicated when McKenna reveals she is not just a stripper, but also an employee of the older profession in the world (aka, a prostitute). The closer Rachel gets to McKenna, the more strain it puts on her other relationship with her husband and friends - until she ultimately has to decide what she wants out of each of the people in her life.
Afternoon Delight is truly a film about the relationships we form, physical and emotional - and how those relationships shape our lives. Hahn is excellent - she seems exactly like a typical women at that point in her life - for someone who is known as more of a comedian, she brings a lot of depth to her role. Likewise, Temple (who, I admit, I kind of have a movie crush on) takes her role and gives it a surprising depth as well. Supporting roles - especially Lynch and Michaela Watkins (as Rachel's over-excited and always-planning-something friend, Jennie) - were welcome.
I would say this is film that couples would get a lot out of - even including some of the more awkward and sexually-infused moments - I never turn down a a nude Temple - but when she brings Hahn along for a visit to one of her clients - things get hard to watch as you just feel kind of dirty afterwards (and that's the point!). But it's important to see the good and the bad - as relationships are never easy - but finding the balance between them, that's what keeps you strong.
