Casual Sex? (1988) User Reviews (31)

A Cute Comedy

[ShadySovereign · 6/10 · 29 April 2006]

"Casual Sex?" is one of those movies that will either be totally forgotten over time, or will be slightly remembered. It's a very cute comedy, but it can easily be forgotten if you don't have it on video or DVD (I've got it on DVD).

The film has some average performances by little-known actors & actresses. Lea Thompson is very cute in her role, and Victoria Jackson was almost as good (although she was sometimes over-the-top with her character). Viewers will be able to see them both fully nude from their backsides at one point in the movie, but Victoria shows herself in other parts of the film as well.

Perhaps what makes this movie really worth watching is Andrew Dice Clay. He gives a really classic performance as "The Vin Man", and he's really funny in some parts of the movie. He looks really cool too, especially when he wears his leather jacket. And best of all, his lines that he says are terrific and sometimes memorable.

To sum up, this is a cute-but-average comedy movie. It will appeal more to women than men, but it's a great movie to watch with your partner on a date. It's a very light comedy, so don't expect it to be raunchy. And don't miss Andrew Dice Clay's performance! I give this movie a 6/10.

Funny, yet light

[Quinoa1984 · 5/10 · 6 May 2000]

Casual Sex is a good comedy, for women, but I actually enjoyed a few parts. Those parts were all of Andrew Dice Clay, who actually can be a good actor when the time comes around (if not a little sarcastic). Hopefully he can make a comeback someday (if he hasn't already), because these type of films aren't made as often as they used to be. A-

Mildly amusing

[smatysia · 6/10 · 25 February 2000]

A mildly amusing sex comedy. Lea Thompson was OK, and Andrew Dice Clay pretty good here. I thought that Victoria Jackson was the real star here, though. She seems to have disappeared since then. I would have liked to have seen more of her. I can only recommend it casually, though.

Cute, sexy, and Andrew Dice Clay actually being FUNNY!

[squeezebox · 20 February 2003]

This Woody Allen-esque exploration of sex through the eyes of two female friends (Lea Thompson and Victoria Jackson) is a pretty entertaining little sleeper. The two discuss their sexual experiences, past relationships and societal attitudes, each taking turns talking to the audience. Eventually they travel to a spa where they encounter lust, rejection, love and, of course, sex, sex and more sex. Andrew Dice Clay actually turns in a great comic performance as an obnoxious spa patron who has the hots for Thompson, and Mary Gross adds a few laughs with her usual soft-spoken schtick. Jackson is cute, though a tad wooden, but Thompson's performance is right on the mark. As an added bonus, the two venture to a nude beach in one scene, so we get a nice long look at their bare bottoms (Jackson's cute buns make two extra appearances as well). Overall, there's really not much here, but what there is is pretty entertaining, and worth the price of a rental.

80s Ladies

[utgard14 · 3/10 · 14 June 2016]

Particularly unfunny relationship comedy with Lea Thompson and Victoria Jackson as two women, one promiscuous and one not so much, who go to a singles resort looking to hook up with men. As it turns out, the pickings are slim and the ladies have to settle for Andrew Dice Clay and Stiles from Teen Wolf. This really was a chore to sit through. It never made me laugh and, despite the title, there is nothing particularly lascivious about it. We do get glimpses of Lea and Victoria's cute tushes but that's about it for anything sexy. The girls are both likable, although Lea is miscast as the slutty one. She just looks too wholesome to pull it off. Worth a look for the sheer Eighties-ness of it all but don't expect to laugh and certainly don't expect to learn anything meaningful about relationships.

Stuck In Its Own Era

[boblipton · 5/10 · 6 November 2021]

Lea Thompson and Victoria Jackson go husband hunting at a posh resort. The men they meet, however, are more interested in scoring large numbers than in actual relationships, and the one that Miss Thompson winds up with seems a bit underwhelming.

It's a comedy more interested in the issues of 1980s dating than in actual laughs, which makes it fairly erratic, carried on the charms of the lead; Miss Jackson's character is far more grounded than her usual work in the era, and Andrew 'Dice' Clay actually does some acting a bit more varied than his usual persona. It has aged rather poorly, I'm afraid.

More entertaining for women than men

[Wuchakk · 5/10 · 5 October 2014]

Released in 1988, "Casual Sex?" focuses on two young women, Stacy (Lea Thompson) and Melissa (Victoria Jackson), who go to a health resort to find a "safe" man in the new era of AIDS. Stacy has a promiscuous past while Melissa is a novice when it comes to sex. The former hooks up with a musician (Stephen Shellen) and the latter a nice guy massage therapist (Jerry Levine). Andrew Dice Clay is also on hand.

This is a fairly amusing 80's romcom with, thankfully, very little raunch despite the title. Although Thompson is her usual winsome petite self she's physically too thin for my tastes; Jackson is better with her irksome nasally voice, but her character is too bimbo-ish. Still, both are likable enough. Amazingly, it's Dice Clay who stands out as Vinny, a particularly annoying guest at the resort, who has an interesting character arc.

The topic of the film -- romance & sex in the 80s -- is told from the woman's point of view and therefore appeals more to women. So the fairer sex will appreciate "Casual Sex?" more than I did, but the movie's still worth catching for men because the three male characters ring true and Dice Clay's performance and his story arc make the movie worthwhile.

The film runs 97 minutes and was shot in Los Angeles.

GRADE: C+

GOOD ENTERTAINMENT

[flimbuff · 7/10 · 21 May 2002]

This is a much better movie than I expected and is very well done with some witty dialogue and good performances by all.

Thompson and Jackson play two young women from with different sexual experiences who go off on vacation to find love.

Andrew Dice Clay is surprising good as the guy who turns to be the love of Lea's life without either of them expecting it.

Not "hokey" at all and the sexual inuendo is far more adult and funnier than you usually saw in the "teen or young couple" flims of this era.

Better as a send up

[gcd70 · 3/10 · 20 September 2007]

Director Genevieve Robert has attempted to make a comedy-drama that makes serious comment about modern day sexual relations, and with "Casual Sex?" she is well wide of the mark.

The storyline is very weak (concerning two young girls' search for the perfect guy), while the serious and moral content makes very little impact. Don't be deceived by the title.

Finally, the comedy only works very occasionally, but look out for Andrew Dice-Clay in a stand out performance as the 'Vinman'. "Casual Sex?" may have been much better made purely as a send-up of sex in the 80's.

Thursday, July 2, 1992 - Video

Back then, when casual sex was news...

[PredragReviews · 7/10 · 9 March 2017]

This is an all around fun, fluffy, surprisingly tame movie. The title is a wee misleading, as there is mostly talk, and not much actual sex in it. (fortunately) This movie is tame enough for most teens and young adults. The humour is derived from the experiences of two very different single girls and what happens to their lives after an eventful summer vacation. Free-spirited Stacy (Lea Thompson) and her timid best friend Melissa (Victoria Jackson) each know the unique joys of casual sex "This is kind of embarrassing to admit, but I remember when it was actually fun to say, "Wow, that really felt great! What's your name again?". But when Stacy starts reading stories about the growing fear of AIDS, she ponders the loose way in which she has governed her sex-life. She and Melissa pack up and head to an exclusive health resort where they start exploring the idea of settling down with the perfect Mr. Right.

While Lea Thompson, Victoria Jackson & crew are excellent, Andrew Dice Clay steals this movie hands down! I have not been a fan of his. In fact I have never seen any of his shows, but he was marvelous in this movie. Based on the book by Wendy Goldman and Judy Toll, "Casual Sex?" is one of those classic 80's comedies where everyone seems to remember the movie poster, but not the film itself. That's a real shame, because the film still offers valuable opinions and ideas about dating and sex in a world where those activities hold very real dangers. That said, the movie is still hilariously funny, with Thompson and Jackson both incredibly talented actresses who totally engage the audience with their thoughtful performances.

Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

Not everything about the 80's is nostalgic.

[mark.waltz · 1/10 · 31 January 2022]

1982 showed movie goers "A Little Sex", a forgotten if o.k. Comedy about a couple preparing for marriage, and six years later we get this, a forgotten comedy about college girls debating the issues of sex as single women. Not o.k. Lea Thompson and Victoria Jackson just are not funny as the two women, Polar Opposites who don't even seem like they'd be able to deal with each other for a night out on the town, let alone a vacation. Throw in Andrew Dice Clay (my candidate for worst comic of the 20th Century) and a bunch of other forgotten actors (actually, not forgotten, but never were) who are presented stereotypically, some embarrassing situations that are just uncomfortable to witness, and a cliched story, put that together and you get 90 minutes of extreme unfunniness that may have you staring at the screen like the audience in "The Producers" with your mouth agape.

"Saturday Night Live" ensemble members from all but the original cast are a mixed bag, and some make transfer to the big-screen okay while others didn't. Victoria Jackson didn't (and has graciously disappeared from the limelight), and Mary Gross here in a supporting role is exactly where she ought to be. The resort that they go to seems like one that guests would check out immediately after the first night there, with stupid match-up games that are straight out of kindergarten, and feature rather colorless, vapid characters that are beyond dislikeable. Clay has the charisma of a melted Gumby. I've seen any bad comedies of the 80's that have at least something positive to say about it, and all I could think of to say about this was that the drinks they have at the resort look tasty.

I love this movie

[janmanuel2 · 8/10 · 29 July 2020]

The cast is great and it's light. It's everything movies aren't now. A good ending. Good music. I watch it every time it's on. Is it an Oscar winner? No. But I'm rating it for how it entertains me.

Good

[manitobaman81 · 7/10 · 30 August 2014]

I think one of the reasons there is so much animosity against this one is that it is undeniably dated. But it made over $12 million, baby! Two girls go away to a holiday resort looking for a change of pace, hoping to meet some nice men for a change. They discover that they can't find the perfect man, and this forces them to reconsider their attitudes to men in general. The first 37 minutes of the running time are particularly hard to endure. You've got to be a die-hard fan to embrace this one. I thought this was cute and not bad. from an artistic standpoint, there were some plot elements and character developments I didn't think were totally needed. They do however drive the story, which seemed to be their purpose.

Rubbish. Avoid.

[webmaster-3368 · 3/10 · 12 May 2009]

After a variety of sketchy farcical/romantic complications, the movie settles for a sentimental epilogue, and remains unsurprisingly dull. The biggest shock is Andrew Dice Clay - the comedian you love to boycott - whose 'Vin-Man'character utterly fails to get laughs transforming himself from a macho beast to a caring, sharing New Man via the 'Pretend You're Sensitive Handbook'.

Definitely a lightweight movie, without any heavy ambitions, and for the most part an unlikable one. With script and direction by women, it's considerably more arch and dehumanized than the usual sex comedy. Most of the men in this film are portrayed as belonging to a disgustingly hairy, penile-obsessed subspecies.

Pleasant, light entertainment

[budikavlan · 30 November 2001]

Movies like this never win awards, never top lists, are never hot topics around the water cooler (do people ever have powwows around water coolers in real life?). This is the kind of movie critics like to cite as evidence of the decline of Western Civilization, because they make easy targets: they don't change lives, and they have few defenders. But, leaving aside Western Civilization for a moment, I want to say a word for the underdog. I watched the tape today, and was struck again by my happy mood after watching it. The story is featherweight, the acting likable if sitcom-ish, and the ending is as sweet as you could ask. Andrew Dice Clay's performance is indeed surprisingly good, and the occasional forays into real dialogue about "the mating game" touch on real issues. "Casual Sex?" won't change your life, but it's a pleasant way to spend a few hours. If you care what the snobs think, just don't tell them.

Funny

[luthergreen · 7/10 · 9 July 2022]

A movie that helped bring attention to aids/hiv in a lighthearted way. It was at the beginning of trying to get people to make better decisions on sex for many reasons. It was a time in our generation that needed to be aware.

You only need to know one thing

[MBunge · 6/10 · 1 April 2010]

When you review a movie, you have to struggle with an old philosophical concept. Whatever reality is, we all experience it individually. And that experience is filtered and shaped by our differing intellects and emotions and upbringing. Which means the world seems one way to me and another way to you. S o, how can I tell you if a movie is good or if you should see it, when the movie I see isn't the same the movie you see?

It's quite a problem. However, there are times when bridging that divide is simple. When the stark nature of reality is so unmistakable, so undeniable that there can only be one way to understand it. Casual Sex? is just such a thing. I only need to write 4 words and you will know whether this is a movie you will be at all interested in or not. Those words are… Lea Thompson gets naked.

If the idea of ogling one of History's Cutest Women appeals to you, you'll definitely want to give Casual Sex? a look. I f not, you can probably give it a pass. Unless you're a Victoria Jackson completest, that is. This is "That Role" for the Saturday Night Live alumnae, the role she was born to play, the role she is better in than anything else she's ever done.

Thompson and Jackson play two friends, one promiscuous and one scared of sex, who both find themselves abstinent. One because she's scared of sex in general and the other because she's scared of AIDS. But they've had enough of the chaste life, so they head out for a week at a health spa. The movie that follows can only be described as a girly sex comedy. Though it got an R rating back in the late 80s, it's tame even by those standards and today, it could almost fit on the ABC Family Channel. The ladies spend their time lusting after hot guys and being lusted after by the not-so-hot of the male sex. One of those not-so-hot is the infamous Andrew Dice Clay, playing a G rated version of his New Jersey horn dog stand-up act. Clay is memorable for showing us he can act and for demonstrating that men did not wax themselves back in the 80s. He's basically a walking carpet when he takes his shirt off.

Among the other notable things about Casual Sex? is the look back it gives us on the horrible fashions of the Reagan era. I know people love to rip on the 1970s, but the bad, music video influenced clothes of the 80s are a sight to behold. It's also interesting to watch a movie where the opening credits are nothing but words on a blank screen, instead of the mini-movies they've become today.

Even though the "sex=death" atmosphere of the late 80s is clearly what inspired the filmmakers, they stay far away from that theme for the most part and settle in to tell us a mildly amusing tale of Victoria Jackson's character becoming comfortable with her own body and Lea Thompson's character…well, she really doesn't learn much of a lesson or resolve any issue. She's darn cute though.

Feminists, however, should be warned about Casual Sex?. Even though it's directed by a woman and was written by women, the movie still believes that all it takes is the right man to solve a woman's problems. There is an alternate ending to the film that's more politically correct, and watching it makes the real ending to the movie seem even more odd.

Ultimately, though, all you need to know about Casual Sex? is those previously mentioned 4 words. If you see this movie sitting on the shelf at your local video store, just remember those words and you'll know exactly what to do.

A Chick Flick For Guys

[David_Brown · 10/10 · 17 August 2012]

If you love Lea Thompson (And I do), "Casual Sex?" is a must see. It is fair to say, I like it more than most people do. It is about two friends Stacy (Lea), and Melissa (Victoria Jackson), and their hunt for Mr. Right. Melissa succeeds when she meets Jamie (Jerry Levine), But my primary focus is in Lea and the person who steals the film Andrew Dice Clay as Vinny, so I will leave Melissa and Jamie alone. Until seeing the comments section on IMDb, I did not know there was an alternate ending with Stacy ending up divorced and unhappy, while Vinny remained a pathetic excuse for a human being, that was test marketed and rejected. I think that was the right decision. Not only is there a chemistry between the characters, but it fits the context of the film better. Spoilers ahead: What happens is Stacy meets Nick(Stephen Shellen) and he moved in with her. It turned out he was a slacker musician, with an overinflated view of himself "I am going to be bigger than Elvis." Eventually she had to throw him out. At the same time she meet Vinny from New Jersey, who was an arrogant individual who thought he was God's gift to women, and she and Melissa put him in his place. Later on, he wrote to Stacy saying "The Vin Man" needed improvement, so I started dressing better, stopped hanging out and hitting on women." Stacy said: "I'm impressed, deep down he like the rest of us, messed up." Later on, during the Christmas Holiday's, Vinny goes for a long road trip (He is alone for the Holidays (As is Stacy)), and as he said: "I did not realize it, but I came to see you."(Stacy). But she basically ignores him (Probably because of the bad experience of Nick), and as he walked away, she called him back, and he asked if she wanted anything to eat," Stacy said "Everything is closed, but I will make you something." Vinny said "I will make you something." Stacy said "I will like that." Vinny said wait I got you something for Christmas which was a puppy. The next scene is years later, at Christmas, when Melissa and Jamie come over, and while Stacy is decorating the tree, Vinny is tied up by their boys, and Jamie will be getting the same treatment. When Stacy sees that she says" There goes your boyfriend.", and Melissa says the same, the film ends with Stacy saying "Yea, there goes my boyfriend." (With a look of contentment and happiness). As the song comes on "No More Casual Sex Mon." What I really like is the way that Vinny started out as a real jerk, and made the changes necessary, so he could grow as a character, which would allow him to end up with someone like Stacy (Which from a guy's point of view, is a worthwhile goal), but also how Stacy was able to realize this. Thus, overcoming her doubts about not only Vinny, but herself (There is a scene where she mentions being alone to Melissa, and her body language showed how unhappy she was) and still gave Vinny a chance to prove himself (Character growth is usually a good thing, and that is what we saw with Vinny, and the "Happy Ending" is what showed that (Which is why that ending fit well within the context of the movie)). What is also interesting is the end where the virginal Melissa, and the shy Jamie were living with each other, and how the bad boy and girl (Vinny and Stacy) became the married couple with kids. I guess people can tell that I will give "Casual Sex?" a high grade and I do, which is A+. 10/10 stars.

Andrew Dice Clay steals this movie

[stills-6 · 6/10 · 7 October 1999]

Very light, very superficial "comedy" about Thompson and Jackson at a singles resort. After seeing Clay's stand-up act, I was really blown away by him in this. His "Vin Man" is the best thing in this movie, and one of the most memorable characters in any 80s-type movie. I still didn't like the movie, but he was fun to watch.

When sex is anything BUT casual!

[inkblot11 · 25 July 2003]

Near the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, Stacy (Lea Thompson) and Melissa (Victoria Jackson) plan a vacation at a health spa to find a "safe" guy to date and/or marry. Stacy has, as they say, "been around"; Melissa is more of a novice in the world of men. Right away, they run into obnoxious Vinny, who displeases them both and makes them doubt if they are going about things the right way. Things improve. In between classes of exercise, Stacy hooks up with Nick, a spa employee who sings at the social gatherings. Melissa, too, earns the attention of good guy Jamie, a massage therapist. Will there be any obstacles on the path to true love? Of course!

This is a genuinely funny movie about sex, told from a woman's viewpoint. There are some great speeches about the mysterious ways of men and women, offered by Stacy and Melissa. Scenes at the spa are both entertaining and lovely to look upon. Then, too, Andrew Dice Clay, as Vinny, gives a performance that sizzles and surprises with its ever-growing sincerity. Viewers who think they've seen every decent romantic comedy will have missed something special if they pass this one by. Hopefully, video stores and libraries will still have a copy of this nice film in stock.

Weak

[RosanaBotafogo · 6/10 · 13 February 2022]

The synopsis seemed more interesting than the film itself was, bland, without salt, bordering on boring, not even the charisma and chemistry of the two beautiful protagonists convinced me, it seems that the novels lacked chemistry, the approach was not very charming...

The Hazards of Dating in the 80's

[Uriah43 · 6/10 · 26 March 2021]

With the sudden prevalence of several sexually transmitted diseases during this particular time period, two young ladies by the names of "Stacy" (Lea Thompson) and "Melissa" (Victoria Jackson) become so concerned about the hazards of having sex that they decide to abstain from it completely. Unfortunately, after more than six months of this they soon become quite frustrated. So to remedy their situation they decide to go to a health spa for their vacation where they presume things will be safer. Although each of them initially have problems mingling with members of the opposite sex, Stacy eventually meets a young man named "Nick" (Stephen Shellen) and falls hopelessly in love. Melissa, on the other hand, has much more difficulty finding a suitable mate which only increases her despair. One particular area of concern, however, is an obnoxious young man named "Vinny" (Andrew Dice Clay) who all the women want to avoid yet seems determined to strike up a relationship with one of them anyway. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this is one of those comedies that captured this specific period of time quite well but seems to have lost some of its impact through the years. Even so, it does feature some cute scenes here and there along with some decent acting on the part of the aforementioned Andrew Dice Clay and Lea Thompson and for that reason I have rated this film accordingly. Slightly above average.

Andrew Dice Clay's best performance

[chainsmoker · 10/10 · 22 September 2001]

This film is not all that bad as critics made it out to be. Some situations are fairly funny, the story takes wild turns and more importantly, it is Andrew Dice Clay's best performance to date in a non-Dice character. The movie came out on DVD in May 2001 and I had to buy it. I watched it before on VHS and only because Dice was in it and I've gotta tell you, not only I wasn't disappointed, moreover, very much impressed.

The story focuses on Stacy (Lea Thompson) and Melissa (Victoria Jackson), two best friends. So girls just wanna have fun but at the same time are searching for something more than just a one-night stand. They go to a health resort to try their luck among health nuts and just plain weirdos. That's where Stacy meets Vinny, aka the Vin Man (Andrew Dice Clay). "I'm the best from the east, I'm a wild and crazy beast, I'm the Vin Man!"

Of course, Stacey dismisses him as just another brainless dick. Not so fast, fruitcake. Turns out that the lewd, crude, tough macho exterior was hiding an insecure little puppy. Vinny reveals his sensitive, vulnerable side and before you know it, he's the most likable and memorable character in the movie. Andrew's performance is amazing, you can really see his character development; he's an arc. There's a scene where he almost makes you cry.

So when the story begins to switch back and forth between Melissa's whirlwind romance and Stacy's attempts to rid herself -- and her apartment -- of a wannabe rock star, you'll find yourself missing Vinny and a little disappointed... but not for long. Just wait until Stacy gets that letter... :-) You'll now see a very different, extremely endearing Vincent Falconi.

Behind the X-rated nursery rhymes and sexist jokes Mr. Clay sure can act if/when given the right role (like most talented actors!). Remember that you heard this from me first. The Diceman is destined to make a Travolta-style comeback...

Best Overall Description Of This Film?

[ChrisMoore-2315 · 7/10 · 10 January 2024]

Chick Flick? Perhaps. Rom Com? Maybe. Great Movie? Yes!

I saw it way back in 1988, when it was first released. It was then topical about STDs catching up with the sexual revolution and also the emotional dangers of "casual sex." And good comedy too. I must say, thirty-plus years on, it has stood the test of time. And I am so glad I watched it again; I had forgotten how good of an ending it has.

Gal pals Stacy (Lea Thompson) and Melissa (Victoria Jackson) have gone to a singles'-oriented health spa. Stacy is a now celibate (due mostly to fear of AIDS) formerly sexually indiscriminate woman, and Melissa is not a virgin but might as well be. Also there as a guest is "The Vin Man," hilariously played by Andrew Dice Clay. Dice plays it PG, not R, even though the movie is R-rated (a few bare rear ends from time to time), which is good.

Stacy and Melissa are there to find relationship-worthy men. The Vin Man? He is looking for casual sex! The interactions of these three (with each other and other cast members) are just funny.

Also, I was greatly entertained by the two main characters, often speaking directly to the camera/audience, and their dream sequences.

And I must say, if a viewer does not come away uplifted after the final scene, they should check their heart; it might be made of stone!

An end note. The movie comes from a play written by a woman (Wendy Goldman) and a screenplay written by two women (Wendy Goldman and Judy Troll) and directed by a woman (Geneviève Robert). What I remember, from my own dating experiences in the 1980s, and what I saw real women like Stacy and Melissa go through back then. This movie is quite realistic. I must think women behind the project is a big reason.

Its Casual

[rupertpupkinjr · 21 March 2003]

Dice Clay proved he was more than just DICE. Lea Thompson showed that she could do comedy & that she looked so good on a nude beach. I read someplace that when they first tested the film Lea & Dice did not get together as in the final version. The test audience wanted the unlucky Dice to get the girl in the end. I totally agree that ending would have been dumb if it just ended with DICE back in NYC alone. It needed to happen. All in all it was a good 80's flick. I still watch it when its on TV. For you tv version buffs, the TV edit has more scenes with Lea & Victoria outside of Lea bedroom after she makes it with that bad actor wannabe. Do I smell a directors cut?