SXSW Film Review: ‘Premature’

In the pantheon of sexually charged coming-of-age comedies, the key to success is laughs, some good bedroom set pieces, a charming love interest, and a compatriot for confiding purposes. Premature hits all the bases, but doesn’t knock it out of the park.

The story follows Rob (John Karna) on a big day for any teenager. He has a college interview, a chance at scoring with the class hottie, and the ability to put his life on the right track in the eyes of his parents and peers. Needless to say, things don’t go according to plan, but after a titular orgasm, Rob finds himself waking up on the same morning, Groundhog Day-style. Each subsequent orgasm starts the day anew in the same ejaculate-stained briefs, ready to relive his torment.

The film’s killer one-liners come largely from his sexually struggling friend. The conversations are ribald to put it mildly, and tawdry turns of phrase are often lough-out-loud funny. That will only get you so far, though. The gift that keeps on giving is Alan Tudyk (of Firefly fame) as the emotionally unstable college admissions officer. Tudyk finds a new way to make uncontrollable sobbing look funny every time we see him.

In the end the film drags with a somewhat predictable finale and a tapering off of hearty humor. But things end on a good note with a solid blooper reel during the credits and a fond memory of a more innocent and embarrassingly sticky time.

Premature

This article appears in March 7 • 2014.