Overview
A Good Old Fashioned Orgy is a 2011 American comedy film written and directed by Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck. Premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 29, 2011, and enjoying a limited theatrical release in the United States on September 2, 2011, the film is an R-rated comedy that runs for approximately 95 minutes.
Genre Comedy
Directors Alex Gregory, Peter Huyck
Release Date September 2, 2011
Rating R
Runtime ~95 minutes
Summary
A Good Old Fashioned Orgy follows thirty-something best friends who decide to throw their annual summer blowout at the Hamptons house of their friend group’s ring leader, Eric, just before it goes on the market.
Convincing his workaholic friend Adam, easygoing best friend Mike, an introverted schoolteacher Laura, a couples’ therapist Alison, a law student Doug, his artist girlfriend Willow, and newlyweds Kate and Glenn to participate proves an exercise in itself as the summer wears on.
Meanwhile, Eric finds himself falling for real-estate agent Kelly, who is overseeing the sale of the Hamptons house.
While there are certainly moments of lewd farce to be found in A Good Old Fashioned Orgy, the film is primarily one of character-driven comedy, as the amorous machinations of the main characters take a backseat to the interpersonal drama being played out between nearly everyone in the friend group.
Main Themes Underneath the Lewdness
Beyond the lewdness and farce of the film’s premise, A Good Old Fashioned Orgy mostly revolves around the themes of a group of friends having to deal with the end of one chapter of their lives, as the house they have all gathered around for their summers is sold.
It also touches on the tension between the group and their romantic partnerships, as well as individual differences, despite knowing each other since childhood. The main character Eric is especially notable for his change of heart from regarding his friends as only friends as his life transitions from his thirties to his forties.
Cast
- Jason Sudeikis as Eric
- Leslie Bibb as Kelly
- Lake Bell as Alison
- Michelle Borth as Sue
- Nick Kroll as Adam
- Tyler Labine as Mike
- Angela Sarafyan as Willow
- Lindsay Sloane as Laura
- Martin Starr as Doug
- Lucy Punch as Kate
- Will Forte as Glenn
- Don Johnson as Jerry
- David Koechner as Vic
- Lin Shaye as Dody
The film’s cast mostly comprises comedic heavyweights, with Sudeikis, Kroll, Labine, Forte, and others later finding success in television and film after starring in A Good Old Fashioned Orgy.
As such, the film currently enjoys a certain amount of novelty for having starred several actors at the beginning of their careers. It also features some standouts in guest supporting roles, including Don Johnson as Eric’s father and Lin Shaye as an agent working with Kelly.
Looking Closer at the Cast
Many of the names attached to A Good Old Fashioned Orgy are notable for having come from comedy, either on television or through Upright Citizens Brigade and other improv and sketch comedy venues, which adds to the film’s appeal as an ensemble comedy. Nick Kroll and Tyler Labine both turn in strong supporting performances that allow their comedic talents to shine.
But Martin Starr is especially noteworthy for providing a grounding presence as the straight man Doug, tempering the broad physical comedy of others in the cast. Don Johnson provides a mature presence as Eric’s father, grounding some of the film’s more sentimental notes about the Hamptons house and its impending sale.
Background on the Writers and Directors
Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck, the writer-director team behind A Good Old Fashioned Orgy, actually wrote the film’s original draft for Vince Vaughn, who ultimately decided against starring in it himself before helping them to revise the script for the finished film. Gregory has stated that Vaughn told him that making the film more specific and less “generational” would help it connect with a wider audience.
The film’s production and casting took place over the course of several years, with Will Forte and Michelle Borth both attached to the project as early as 2008, nearly three years before its eventual 2011 Tribeca Film Festival premiere.
This was not uncommon for independent films, particularly lower-budget comedies, at the time, as scheduling conflicts with cast members, financial constraints, and a variety of other factors could cause productions to be delayed.
Background on Gregory and Huyck’s Writing
Prior to writing and directing A Good Old Fashioned Orgy, Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck were primarily known for their work in television comedy, notably writing for late-night talk shows and developing animated comedies. They bring a similar approach to their work on.
A Good Old Fashioned Orgy, which several critics noted as leaning more towards dialogue-driven comedy than visual gags. This makes the film a slightly more substantive and character-driven comedy than might be expected from its R-rating and broad premise, and is one reason for the film’s generally positive critical reception.
Critics’ Reactions
A Good Old Fashioned Orgy is, overall, a mixed bag of a film, with critics falling into two camps: those who enjoyed the film’s character-driven comedy and found little to dislike despite its R-rating, and those who felt that the film failed to deliver on its promise as a broad sex comedy. The film’s critical reception is also colored by reactions to its titular premise.
Those expecting a broad lewdness-driven comedy were often disappointed by the film’s focus on character-driven humor and found the title misleading. Those who were expecting a more straightforward farcical comedy found that, overall, A Good Old Fashioned Orgy was somewhat less lewd than anticipated.
Critics who were generally positive about the film tended to praise its character-driven humor and casting. It was especially common among positive reviews for critics to note the film’s strength as an ensemble comedy. Comic Book Resources, for instance, specifically praised the film’s humor and its cast’s chemistry.
Some critics, such as The Village Voice, praised the film’s approach as a sex comedy, noting that it delivered a high density of jokes. Many audience reviews on sites such as IMDb noted that they felt the film was more heartfelt than its marketing or title may have suggested and were generally positive about the film as a result.
Meanwhile, critics who were less positive about the film tended to find it rather tame for an R-rated sex comedy and wished it delivered on its promise of broad lewdness and farce. This criticism, in particular, was common across several outlets.
It is also important to note that both camps of critics generally agreed that the film’s execution was stronger than its premise might suggest. The film ultimately did not live up to the broadness of its title and played rather safe for an R-rated comedy, especially compared to similar films that were released at the same time.
The Film’s Critical Reception In Its Broader Context
A Good Old Fashioned Orgy generally falls into the category of a well-received but forgettable film for critics. Coming in the early 2010s and utilizing a similar mix of rising comedic actors and a relatively low budget, it was similar to a number of other independent ensemble comedies.
It was generally critically well-received but enjoyed only a limited financial success, both in its theatrical release and in its later streaming availability. Overall, it continues to garner a generally positive reception from critics, with the film’s legacy, to a degree, bolstered by its notable cast and its continued availability on major streaming services.
Audience Reactions
The film holds a generally positive rating from general movie audiences, with a 6.8/10 on IMDb and a generally positive approval rating on aggregate review sites such as Rotten Tomatoes. Most audiences that saw the film either came in expecting a character-driven comedy.
Here delighted to find one or had seen positive critical reaction and were similarly delighted to discover a comedy that was, overall, quite sweet. Many audiences that were expecting a farcical sex comedy, however, felt somewhat misled and let down by the film’s relatively tame content.
Financial Performance
A Good Old Fashioned Orgy enjoyed only a limited theatrical release, playing in 143 US theaters, where it earned $154,604 during its four-day opening weekend over Labor Day. It would go on to earn $200,227 domestically and $1,178,720 internationally, for a total worldwide take of approximately $1,378,947.
This relatively low take is unsurprising, given the film’s limited theatrical release, but the international numbers greatly outweigh the domestic take, and the film vastly underperformed compared to the wider market for independent theatrical releases at the time.
A Good Old Fashioned Orgy is available to stream on multiple platforms, including, in some cases, Netflix, depending on the viewer’s location. It is typically worth checking multiple streaming services, such as JustWatch.
Searching directly within your preferred streaming platform, as rights to stream the film renew and expire on a regular basis. Alternatively, it can also typically be rented or purchased through major online retailers such as Prime Video, Apple TV, or Vudu.
As a film from the middle of the 2010s, A Good Old Fashioned Orgy often enjoys only limited rights to stream on any particular service, and those that exist tend to expire every few years. This also means that streaming availability tends to change most often every couple of years as licensing agreements are renewed or terminated.
For this reason, it is useful to check what platforms currently offer the film as you intend to watch it, rather than relying on services that previously hosted it. Alternatively, purchasing or renting it through major on-demand retailers is typically the most reliable way to enjoy the film, no matter what your streaming subscription options may be.
Is It Worth Watching
While the expectation of a comedy of this nature is to deliver on laugh-out-loud moments, Wet Hot American Summer delivers a surprisingly sincere relationship-driven ensemble comedy that sees a promising young cast on the cusp of superstardom delivering a broad and (mostly) light-hearted R-rated comedy about a group of friends on the precipice of turning thirty.
For both of the cast members who eventually become a big star, it is also worth seeing the earlier period in their careers when they were not yet typecast, and their comedic talents were not pigeonholed.
Comedies of Similar Nature
Wet Hot American Summer’s predecessors tend to be other ensemble comedies that are similar to it in its reliance on a large group of comedic performers, the presence of a broad premise designed to appeal to a wide audience, and a fairly straightforward premise with few plot twists that is driven more by the personalities involved than the situation or the plot itself.
In particular, the film has been compared to other 2010s-era ensemble comedies that utilise an absurd conceit for the film’s premise as a way for an ensemble of comedic performers to explore themes of friendship, growing up, and a variety of relationship dynamics.
A Character-Based Exploration of the Friend Group’s Dynamics
What many critics have found to be endearing about Wet Hot American Summer is that, despite the large ensemble of actors, it manages to create a coherent sense of the friend group’s dynamic by establishing very distinct personalities for each character connected to the central premise in some way. Eric is a reluctant adult who uses parties as an excuse to avoid his problems, which in this case, the film’s central premise is the ultimate party.
Adam, as played by Nick Kroll, in many ways, is the most “mature” of the group, if maturity is defined as avoiding any responsibility and living a healthy lifestyle. Mike, as played by Tyler Labine, is the most loyal and least conflicted about almost everything, which is a trait that provides a lot of comedic tension for him with the rest of the group.
On the other hand, Doug, and Willow, who are in a relationship, and Kate and Glenn, who are recently married, represent a pair of dynamic relationship types where Willow is much more bohemian and free-spirited than her fiancé Doug.
In turn, Alison, the couples therapist, whose profession allows her to advise the group on their relationship issues, is perhaps the most conflicted about participating in the event, given her professional approach to relationships.
The Directors’ Commentary on the Film’s Premise
According to Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck, the directors of the film, the challenge of making the film was to write a comedy that did not rely on the novelty of its premise but instead presented it as a relationship drama with an absurd premise that allowed each character to explore their own motivations and desires.
Their comments on the film’s premise, as well as Vince Vaughn’s advice to the writers during his involvement in the project, highlight the challenge of making a film where the premise was more of a catalyst for exploring the characters’ lives rather than the reason why the film exists.
The Location and Set Design
The film was shot partly on location in the Hamptons, which is a region on Long Island that represents America’s affluent beach towns, where many wealthy Americans send their families on summer vacations.
This location is significant for Wet Hot American Summer as it represents the friend group’s summer-long vacation, and the fact that this house is going to be sold represents their loss of innocence and the end of their carefree summers as they enter adulthood.
The film’s use of this specific location as the setting for the film’s final act is part of what gives it its unique tone, as filming on actual locations is typical for independent and lower-budget comedies as a way to utilise the actual environment to support the mood and setting of the film.
The Film’s Legacy
While the film was not a box office hit or critical darling, Wet Hot American Summer’s legacy is perhaps best demonstrated by the success of Jason Sudeikis and Nick Kroll in the years following the film’s initial release. For both actors, A Good Old Fashioned Orgy was just one film before they embarked on their respective careers as leading men and comedic performers.
For Sudeikis, in particular, his stardom as the lead actor in a critically acclaimed and popular HBO series has meant that his earlier films have found new audiences with people discovering him. This pattern also helped Kroll, who has since become one of the most unique comedic personalities in Hollywood with dozens of films and television show credits to his name.
Both actors had considerable success in other 2010s-era ensemble comedies. However, it is worth noting that many of the other actors in this film also saw considerable success, albeit to a lesser degree, and are still prominent comedic actors today. The film’s legacy is also intertwined with its cult following status, which it achieved several years after its initial release.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Good Old Fashioned Orgy based on a true story? No, it is not. Good Old Fashioned Orgy is an original screenplay written by Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck.
What is the movie rated? The film has an R-rating, as expected for a comedy with adult themes and language.
Who are the movie’s stars? The film’s stars include Jason Sudeikis, Leslie Bibb, Lake Bell, Nick Kroll, Tyler Labine, Will Forte, and Lucy Punch.
Is the movie more comedy or more drama? Comedy, but with elements of drama. A Good Old Fashioned Orgy is a character-driven comedy with a fairly light plot and more focus on character relationships.
How long is the movie? Approximately 95 minutes.
When and where did the film premiere? The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 29, 2011, before getting a limited theatrical release later that year in September.
Did the film do well? Overall, it was not a commercial success, though there is not much indication that the film was expected to turn a profit. It earned about $1.38 million worldwide across 143 limited theatres.
Is the cast the same group of actors who starred in other 2010s-era ensemble comedies? It is, to an extent. Many of these actors were part of the wider comedy scene at the time, and both Sudeikis and Kroll in particular were involved in other 2010s-era ensemble comedies as well.
Where can I watch the movie? Unfortunately, streaming services tend to change what content they offer periodically, and so the best way to find the movie is to use a service such as JustWatch to find the latest availability.
Final Thoughts
Wet Hot American Summer is the type of film where the first reaction to it is to be surprised by what the film is about, but underneath the broad comedic surface, there is an earnest examination of the dynamics between a group of friends and family who share an ethos that is quickly slipping away.
The film’s value is in its performers, most of whom were on the cusp of massive stardom at the time of the film’s release, and a mix of very broad comedic premises and heartfelt character moments.
Its cult following stems from both its initial mixed reception and the fact that many of those who saw the film in its limited theatrical release or on video on demand have since discovered many of the film’s performers in other ensembles comedy projects. If you enjoy character-driven comedies that are about the relationships between the characters involved, A Good Old Fashioned Orgy is well worth watching.
