Threesome (1994)

Powerful

Nice effects though.

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

'Threesome' is one such film that you simply cannot overlook or avoid. Films like this are very rare to witness these days where the plot is very simplified and revolves around just three college friends and their self discoveries. Very, in fact very rare films focus on college life in such a close manner and this film is much more than just three college friends in a room. In brief, 'Threesome' is the perfect example of a simplified cinema with a neat and perfect execution in every sense, from the precise direction by Andrew Fleming to the brilliant performances by Josh Charles, Lara Boyle and Stephen Baldwin.Charles, Boyle and Baldwin deliver one of their very best performances here, easily giving you the impression that you are just witnessing three friends and not the actors. The chemistry between these three is very touching and strong enough to keep your eyes glued to the screen, making you a part of their journey throughout the film. Its a film that gets better and better on repeated viewings, trust me you will never get enough of it, its really a ride. A 9.9 out of 10!

Threesome (1994)*** (out of 4) Surprisingly effective comedy/drama about roommates Stuart (Stephen Baldwin) and Eddy (Josh Charles) whose lives turn upside down when Alex (Lara Flynn Boyle) moves into their dorm room. At first the three don't hit it off but that quickly changes and soon Alex likes Eddy, Stuart likes Alex and Eddy like Stuart. I remember watching this thing when it first came out and while this viewing didn't live up to what I remembered, I was still surprised at how well it did hold up all these years later. I think the film, unlike many, tried to be serious about it's subject matter and the three relationships that eventually evolve over the running time. For the most part the film doesn't hit any false moments as you will really feel as if you are watching three different characters come into their own while at college when sex is running free. The screenplay by director Fleming does a nice job at developing all three characters and their relationships with one another. I think the film doesn't shy away from its subject and in the end we're greeting to quite a few dramatic moments as well as some very funny ones. I think the running joke about all the pizza being eaten could have been left out but I don't fault the film too much for this. The performances by the three leads are quite effective with both Boyle and Charles really shining in their roles. Both of them handles their roles perfectly well with Boyle nailing the confusion and frustration of her character and Charles really coming off well as someone who doesn't know who he is. Baldwin adds a lot of laughter as the sex hungry male.

This is one seriously underrated movie. The humor is very clever and mature (compared to say, a Will Farrell style college movie). I love the narration by the Eddy character, it makes this movie so much more. He makes you really feel what he's feeling. All three characters take you on their journey of self discovery, a bit of sexual experimentation that often occurs while in college, and most of all - the painful truth about "How can someone be such a necessary part of one's life one moment, and simply vanish the next?" How true is that?! One should also note the amazing original score by Thomas Newman. He's composed music for a ton of other movies too such as American Beauty, Pay It Forward, Erin Brockovich - just to scratch the surface. I recently became obsessed with finding this music, that is NOT included on the Threesome soundtrack (although the non-original music on that CD is a great compilation, including U2's "Dancing Barefoot" - a phenomenal song). I found it just this week if anyone else has been going crazy trying to find this music. It's on the American Buffalo soundtrack. The first half of the CD the score for American Buffalo score (which is pretty mediocre), and the last half is the original score to Threesome! Anyway, I think all three characters are VERY well played by the actors, even Stephen Baldwin - although I'm sure the role of the obnoxious, sex-obsessed roommate was tailor-made for the guy at that time. I love his and all the characters, and wouldn't change a thing about how they contribute to the three-way relationship that's formed as well as the story line.This movie is also very believable, a quality I love and a quality that keeps me from watching overly melodramatic "classics" like Gone With the Wind. I just don't believe the characters in those types of movies! So if you saw Threesome before and only thought it was so-so, give it another chance. Try to see it with new eyes, and for the love of God, listen to the original music when you can catch it. If you haven't seen it, rent it. You'll be pleasantly surprised. The DVD offers a couple of alternate endings, but I like the one they ultimately chose best. So it's not the happiest of endings, it's an extremely realistic ending. I was left completely satisfied.

This movie is a charmer. I suspect you have to be American, or have an American sensibility, to fully appreciate this film. I can easily see Europeans wondering what there is to be conflicted about, and I can see people from developing countries finding it a depiction of something that could never happen. Believe me, it can and does. The three young actors, all now much better known for other roles, play characters who will seem very real to you--especially if you can remember back to the sturm and drang of your college years.The dialog is as sharp and clever as anything you will hear anywhere. There is a scene where a naive girl, who has been brought to a threesome dinner party by one of the boys, flees the room in tears. Alex (Lara Flynn Boyle) gives a raucous, malicious laugh and then says dryly, "I like her." It's a stunning moment, and drop dead funny.I hope this film eventually gets the attention it deserves. It is seriously neglected, certainly one of the most entertaining movies of its decade. In the gay community, this movie seems pretty much unknown. Which is a shame, because a gay audience would really get this movie.