The Oh in Ohio (2006)

The Oh in Ohio is a good, fun, and light movie. It doesn't go very far, but it manages to entertain for the duration of the film. While The OH in OHio is about some scandalous things : masturbation and mistresses among other sex related things, it manages to keep it silly and avoids cringe-worthy scenes. Dare I say that it wouldn't be that bad if you watched with your parents. The actors help keep the film afloat. Paul Rudd is his usual awkward and low-key comical self, while Parker Posey, the master of quirky, also gives me a good laugh. Her character is super endearing, innocent and sweet. Then there's Danny DeVito who plays the male version of Parker Posey's character. And finally, Mischa Barton brings a little oomph, a little scandal and a little sex to it all. There is very little conflict in this film, which isn't a bad thing. It is refreshing as it seems that the film is not trying too hard to take its viewer on a roller coaster in attempts to keep them constantly entertained. Therefore, if you are looking for something upbeat, not too intense and that defines one meaning of love and identity then this is your movie!

The Oh in Ohio is hilarious and heartfelt. Parker Posey nails it as Pricilla Chase, the "frigid" housewife who is sexually awakened by her revelation that she has a sexual dysfunction disorder. Her valiant attempt to break her disorder is not only terribly funny but one feels for her. As viewers we triumph with her when she finally breaks the cycle of her repetitive life and finds love. It is racy but not in a gross out humor way. We get to know Pricilla through her journey and find that letting go can be more help than harm. Paul Rudd is charming and vulnerable as Pricilla's husband who cannot seem to give her the big O. He too goes through a metamorphosis and finding his true self. Although he falls in love with one of his students played by Mischa Barton, he comes out of the film a more fulfilled man. The Oh in Ohio is raw, real, and a feel good film. After viewing this film one is left with a glow and a smile on their face.

PROBABLY MAJOR SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!! Although a bit on the strange side writing wise (Why would a group of Chinese Beer businessmen want to visit a boring high school anyway) it's not beyond forgivable. THE OH! IN OHIO is a cute little romp of a sex comedy that adults can enjoy and get a good snicker or 2 out of.Parker Posey plays Pricilla Chase, a PR career woman who married her handsome high school sweetheart Jack (Paul Rudd) and should have the perfect rounded life any woman would aspire to.The one thing she has not had yet wouldn't bug her so much if Jack wasn't constantly harping about wanting to give this to her. No, not kids. Nobody's talking about kids. The one things that her husband wants her to have that he hasn't been able to give her is an orgasm.A sort of reverse THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN, this film THE OH! IN OHIO is about a successful woman who just happens to have never had that pleasure in her life, not even by her own hand shall we say? Why? Was she brought up by a pair of ice sculptures instead of parents? Was she taught that self pleasure is dirty sinful shameful? Has it ever been a big deal to her? If not for hubby's obsessiveness, would it ever have become a big deal? Well it's certainly a big deal to Jack. And this, for anyone who keeps asking, "What did Jack do wrong?" "What was his mistake?" "Why all the Jack-bashing?" Well, this is what and why: Jack's obsession over not giving his wife pleasure was all about him, not her. Instead of caring enough to ask, "Pricilla, what could be wrong? Were you molested? Did you parents teach you it was dirty? Is there a physiological dysfunction? Nerve damage? Is intercourse painful for you?" and so on. There are a million ways Jack could have handled this dilemma, and typically, he turns the entire focus onto himself. He feels like less of a man because his wife doesn't come. Then he goes on to actually blame her and slowly begins to resent her and even hate her to the point where he leaves the marriage. He reveals himself to be shallow, self-centered and completely unconcerned about Pricilla. To his credit, he does attend at least one therapy session with his wife, but it seems he's made up his mind: he wants out of the marriage.He goes on to find himself a young nubile girlfriend (Mischa Barton plays an underaged college student who is supposed to be really smart his biology class) and it's not long before they are writhing in bed and she is raving about his sexual prowess. Whether or not Kristin is doing this to stroke Jack's ego or not is kind of hard to say.Meanwhile, Pricilla, feeling bad about herself (naturally) confides in her friend Sherri (Miranda Bailey) about her sexual problems and then finds herself in an adult toy store. Heather Graham has an unbilled role as the clerk who works therein. Pricilla brings home one of those standard white twist-top vibrators and begins to discover parts of her body she never knew existed, let alone how they function. I thought these scenes were hilarious very time she reached for that thing and I heard that loud HUMMMMMMMMMMM!! After becoming somewhat addicted to orgasm, Pricilla decides to get out there and explore and live a little. After a succession of would be lovers, even a tryst with Justine, the adult store clerk. Pricilla still cannot have an orgasm with a living person. Needless to say, most or all of these lovers either blame her or focus the whole thing onto themselves.Then Pricilla bumps into a famous acquaintance in her neighborhood, Wayne the Pool Guy (Danny DeVito) and after spending some time with him, they abruptly fall into a sexual relationship, and then everything seems to come together (pardon the pun) for her. Love, a good relationship without selfishness, and pleasure to round it out.The one huge thing I thought was lacking was an explanation why Pricilla was anorgasmic (I HATE the term "frigid"), but maybe it was because until Wayne came along, she hadn't found a lover to make her feel truly special, wanted, loved, etc? There are some uneven spots in the story and some scenes don't really go anywhere. The end didn't bother me as much as it did others. It's a pretty cute sex comedy.

"The OH in Ohio" (2006) Directed By: Billy Kent Starring: Parker Posey, Danny DeVito, Paul Rudd, Mischa Barton, Miranda Bailey, Keith David, & Liza Minnelli MPAA Rating: "R" (for sexual content, language and some drug use) Parker Posey is considered by many people to be the queen of independent films. She is one of the very few actresses who have become famous just by doing these types of movies. But, lately, she has taken to starring in more big-budget films, i.e. "Superman Returns" and "Blade: Trinity". Now, Posey is a great actress and I always enjoy watching her work, but I prefer to see her in simpler movies. "The OH in Ohio" seemed like the movie I had been waiting for since 2003's "A Mighty Wind". It was a low-budget film that was more focused on its plot and its characters than special effects and mainstream Hollywood ideas. I was very excited for this movie and had been anticipating it for quite some time, but it did not come to any of my local theaters so I had to wait for DVD. After plenty of anticipation, I finally got the chance to see "The OH in Ohio" and my reaction…well, it was "Hmm, it was okay." Wait! What? How could this be? "The OH in Ohio" is ultimately a fun, yet awkward sex comedy that fails to click as well as it should, but still works because of its talented cast and its intriguing premise.Priscilla Chase (Posey) is a woman who has led a rather dull, uneventful life. She is married to Jack (Rudd) who seems to be the perfect husband. In fact, from the outside, every aspect of Priscilla's life is perfect. She has the perfect career and the perfect house. But, there is one thing that isn't so perfect: her sex life. Priscilla has never had an orgasm…ever. She ends up visiting a sex therapist named Alyssa Donahue (Minnelli) and a whole new door is opened. Soon, Priscilla begins to experiment with countless forms of sex, even going so far as to having sex with the female cashier at a sex store. But, Priscilla is not the only person having a sexual awakening. Jack, a high school teacher, begins an affair with his beautiful, young student, Kristen (Barton), who wants to help him to live his life to the fullest. As the couple begins to spiral away from each other in directions they never saw coming, they come to understand that, if they want to be truly happy, there marriage may never last.The cast in "The OH in Ohio" is filled with very competent actors and actresses and it definitely shows. Parker Posey owns the screen, winning us other with her genuine naivety. She comes off as naive without sounding silly and unintelligent. Paul Rudd gives a dreary, flat performance. This sounds like an insult, but it is not. Rudd's character was dreary and flat and his performance easily encompassed that. It worked. Mischa Barton, from "The O.C." fame, surprised me. I expected her to rebound from being killed off of the popular television series by doing some flirty, clichéd romantic comedy or some brainless slasher flick (where she would, of course, play the lead who manages to survive some brutal killer while all of her dumb friends become fodder). But, she took a different route, starring in this little sex comedy in a supporting role. In my opinion, she proved that she could act in "The O.C." so it didn't surprise me that she did well here. Danny DeVito plays…Wayne the Pool Guy, a part that I never saw working. DeVito, however, adds layers to the part, allowing it to transcend the clichéd stereotype it could have been.First and foremost, let me say that the idea of Parker Posey and Danny DeVito being romantically involved (especially on an intimate level) makes me want to vomit. The romance, which is unexpected, is awkward and strange. When they kissed, I winced. When they spoke about having sex, I was repulsed. It just didn't work for me. I understand what the movie was going for--that she could only find true happiness with the person that wasn't her "perfect companion", thus allowing her to be happy and content but, at the same time, eliminating her perfect facade. I respected the message…but Danny DeVito? The man who got drunk and was cradled by Rosie O'Donnell on "The View"? It was just weird. But, in all fairness, "The OH in Ohio" does a very nice job in creating interesting characters that all seem realistic and placing them in intriguing situations that are certainly comical. Overall, it's a fun movie that, though it kept me entertained and kept me laughing, was slightly disappointing. I expected this to be a great comedy. What I got was…well, it was just an average comedy.Final Thought: Though merely an average comedy, "The OH in Ohio" is effective in being a fun sex comedy with a nice cast.Overall Rating: 6/10 (B)