robertedward
I found this film to be a welcome relief from the self-righteous, hypocritical obsession with sex as evil in our confused society. I'm sure that viewers aligned with the extreme religious right are aghast at the sexual frankness of "Skipped Parts". I only wish they were as upset over the war in Iraq, America's obsession with violence and the rampant intolerance still pervading the home of the free. Instead, sex and four-letter words top the list of moral outrages in the minds of far too many of our number."Skipped Parts" is a compassionate view of outside-the-mainstream people at odds with the establishment. Granted, unprotected sex among teenagers is impractical and unwise, but hardly a reason to despise and condemn. Especially by those who have, as do some of the characters in the film, plenty of skeletons in their own closets.Well-written, well-acted and well-directed, "Skipped Parts" is a moral film in which the highest virtues are kindness, forgiveness, and love.
Gary Murphy
In spite of Drew Barrymore's presence in the movie, I was hopeful that she would be the old bad actress. Sadly, the majority of the other actors put in a poor performance as well. Even Jennifer Jason Leigh, who has put in good performances in the past, had trouble with this character.The dialog is very stilted. I haven't read the book, but the conversations didn't come across as real at all. The direction is quite poor. At times it seems like the actors are waiting for their mark. Some of the fantasy scenes, most with Drew Barrymore, are campy and don't flow well with the rest of the movie.I would recommend staying away from this turkey.
EricTheEZ1
There are just so many things wrong with this movie. It's not abstract enough to survive on story alone so the film maker did rely on the realistic points of the story. Unfortunately, there are none.This story wouldn't be considered normal by today's standards let alone 1963!! Two 14 year old ENCOURAGED to have sex by their parents. The girl gets pregnant like it's no big deal. She decides to stay with her boyfriend who doesn't seem to care about the fact that she's pregnant AND it's not his baby. Everyone is jumping for joy that she's having this baby... HELLO?!?!? She's 14!! I've NEVER seen anyone happy to have a baby at that age. Everyone that finds out about the baby acts like it's no big deal. In 1963, you would've been run out of town for being that way.Most of the story isn't fleshed out for the right reasons. Lydia's character is in almost every comedy/drama about the 50's/60's these days. The relationship between her and her son is pretty disgusting and just doesn't make sense. Whose Mom ever licked semen off her son's sock or bathed with her lover in front of her son. That'd get you locked up no matter what century you're in.I tried to get past these grotesque issues and focus on the characters and their stories but the only thing that makes this movie interesting is all the stuff I just mentioned. Unfortunately, that's the kind of comedy I'd look for in South Park, not some "Sundance Classic".1/10.
kctexan-1
After seeing Skipped Parts, and reading all the user reviews, I see why so many are repelled by the movie, but I'm one of the ones fascinated by it. In order to care about a movie, I have to care about at least one character, and in this movie, it definitely was the case, with the Sam Callahan young male part. Although it's true that hardly anyone went through what Sam and his young girlfriend went through, it was captivating to me to see Sam want, so much, to be a real boyfriend to his rather matter-of-fact fellow sexual experimenter. I identified his caring for, and attraction to, girls, with my own young life. As for his mom's character: yes, she was waaayy out there, but I have known women like that, so they *do* exist. I think that, overall, Skipped Parts is one of those movies where you have to give in to the situation a little, and go with it. IF (and this is critical) you have been through at least some of the feelings, if not actual situations, these characters experience, I think you'll agree that the 93 minutes, or so, spent in their world is not wasted time (although I think one time was enough for me...too many other great movies out there to see!).
AD
