First, let me say that if you ever have the choice to see a foreign film dubbed or subbed, go for subtitles. The translation team does an incredible job conveying the sexual nature of each story in a way that is both poetic and titillating.
As Sexual Drive is broken into three chapters, it plays out like a series of three essays blending the worlds of food and sex. They go naturally together because food creates intense feelings and stimulation in much the same way as…you know. It’s also safe enough to keep your film PG-13. In Natto, writer/director Yoshida Kota evokes the sensuality of food. At the same time, in the other two stories, he brings out the dominance and mastery over food and the violent nature of eating. The stories are intriguing and play out like an impromptu sexual encounter.
“The stories are intriguing and play out like an impromptu sexual encounter.”
As fun as the ride is, I was left wanting in the end. While the film does go down the road of sexual storytelling, I wish it had gone a step or two further…without needing to go overtly sexual…maybe just vertly would suffice. While the food presentation was pulse-pounding, it really only hit its stride in Natto. Watching Masumi eat a bowl of Natto and rice was a significant turn, and it peaked too soon.
As Kurita, Tateto Serizawa is an incredible storyteller and works perfectly with the imagery, but in the end, it’s just words he speaks coupled with exquisite food presentation and the intense reaction of his protagonists. In the end, we’re just spectators to the drama and elevate the story more; we, as an audience, need to be drawn in closer to the action or at least the feelings and emotions of the tale.
There’s enough good and exciting to recommend Sexual Drive, but oh, the sweet-savory possibilities that were missed.
For more information, visit the Sexual Drive official website.
"…sex and food make the perfect pairing..."
