I remember when Porky’s was considered raunchy. Jeez, I remember when American Pie was considered raunchy. A shameless, unrestrained, incredibly vulgar teenage sex comedy, Sex Drive goes to show how far these films can go.
It’s also the best a film like this can get, with a real affection for its characters that is increasingly rare these days. Still, only a 12-year old could really like it. And under no circumstance should a 12-year old be allowed to see it.
18-year old Ian (Josh Zuckerman) has a crush on best friend Felicia (Amanda Crew), who in turn has a crush on their mutual friend, unlikely ladies’ man Lance (Clark Duke). Ian has also never had a girlfriend, despite Lance’s best efforts, but he’s been making some progress on IM with a certain misstasty, who thinks he’s a football stud.
When Ian’s family leaves town for the weekend, Lance urges him to steal brother Rex’s (James Marsden) car and make the titular drive from Wisconsin to Knoxville to meet his internet girl. Felicia, of course, tags along for the ride.
You can see where everything is going a few minutes into the picture, but director Sean Anders has plenty of raunchy fun getting there. Seth Green is particularly amusing as a sarcastic Amish auto mechanic.
The film has some big laughs, but more importantly keeps an amiable, upbeat tone throughout. Despite overlength and nonstop vulgarity, the film always seems so pleasant.
Zuckerman doesn’t have much appeal, but Crew is fun as his object of desire. Still, Duke easily steals the film from both of them as the oddball best friend. Production value is slick, yet still retains that sleazy low-budget charm. Among the recent Road Trip and Eurotrip variations this is about as good as it gets.
Note: above review refers to the 129-minute ‘unrated’ version available on DVD.
