Old Fashioned Orgy (Movie Review)

Eric and his thirtysomething high school friends gather at his father’s East Hampton house for one last party before it is listed for sale. Eric proposes having an orgy, and as time progresses, the others gradually come around to this idea in this raunchy comedy.

Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck’s “Letterman” alumni Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck wrote and directed this film featuring an impressive cast (Tyler Labine as Eric’s untrustworthy right-hand man, Lucy Punch as his newlywed wife and Martin Starr as his workaholic paranoid) but didn’t always hit its target.

Jason Sudeikis

Jason Sudeikis is an American actor, comedian, producer, and writer. He first gained recognition writing sketches for Saturday Night Live in 2003 before starring in films such as Horrible Bosses 2, The Campaign, and We’re the Millers. Today he serves as co-creator, writer, and lead actor on Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso series.

Sudeikis was raised in Overland Park, Kansas, and began performing improvisational comedy at ComedySportz (now Comedy City) in Kansas City in the 1990s. Later moving to Chicago, where he studied improv at Annoyance Theatre and IO Theater – as well as appearing on various television programs, including Saturday Night Live as part of the comedy troupe The Second City.

Jason Sudeikis stars as Eric, a 30-something perpetual adolescent who relishes throwing parties. Eric hosts lavish themed events at his father’s Hamptons summer house when they learn it’s up for sale, then decides to host one final raucous bash before it sells – suggesting Eric host a Labor Day orgy, which everyone agrees to attend.

Sudeikis not only starred in this film but was also the voice of Red in the animated action comedy Next Gen. Additionally, he appeared in popular movies such as Bad Teacher and Hall Pass, working alongside well-known actors such as Kristen Wiig, Zach Galifianakis, and Kate McKinnon, among many others. Sudeikis and former partner Olivia Wilde share two children; since their separation nearly three years ago, there has not been an agreement reached regarding custody arrangements; according to legal filings made by Wilde, she claims her former partner is not paying child support payments while she has also sought restraining orders against him about actions taken against her by Wilde.

Leslie Bibb

Jason Sudeikis first made headlines for his role as one of “Horrible Bosses'” main protagonists; now SNL alum Jason Sudeikis stars in this raunchy comedy about eight friends who plan to have an old-fashioned Labor Day weekend party with Lake Bell, Nick Kroll, and Lucy Punch all joining forces in this hilarious film.

Tribeca Film Festival saw its premiere, and I was thoroughly pleasantly surprised. The film boasts a charming yet gritty charm reminiscent of classic slob comedies of the 70s and 80s; although not quite in the same league as “Stripes” or “Animal House,” it still provides a fun little ride.

Sudeikis gives an unforgettable performance as Eric, an eternal teenager who revels in partying. Eric and his gang gather at his father’s East Hampton house, but with Don Johnson planning to sell it soon, Eric and Mike (Tyler Labine) decide to throw one last big bash before it goes up for sale.

And that’s where comedy comes in, with this being one of those films that could have used more laughs. Writer/directors Peter Huyck and Alex Gregory had some comic moments (such as when Eric visits an unopened mattress warehouse after hours) but missed some key opportunities (when Eric attempts to remember where he met Kelly from parties he attended, his answers don’t make for great laughs).

There’s plenty of naked nudity and copulation here, but most of the humor comes from its ensemble cast. Sudeikis, in particular, shines brightest; his charismatic smile and all-in approach make him one of its standout performances; however, everyone in it also does their part.

Lake Bell

After his father Jerry (Don Johnson) announces he plans to sell the Hamptons beach house where Eric Keppler (Jason Sudeikis) and his 30-something friends have been hosting themed party weekends since they were teens, Eric decides to organize one final bash before selling it forever. With help from Alison (Lake Bell), hypochondriac financier Adam (Nick Kroll), indecisive rocker Duquez (Martin Starr), and shy law student Laura (Lindsay Sloane), they decide they need something big before losing this opportunity forever.

Eric and Dody decide to plan an extravagant Labor Day bash. Unfortunately, Kelly, Eric’s real estate coworker, informs him that she asked Dody to postpone selling until after their party so they can plan it. Further complicating matters, Doug from Eric’s band is also Kelly’s romantic interest and wants to join the celebrations!

Even with their best intentions, their party goes wrong in various ways. Eric’s psychiatrist girlfriend seems more focused on her BlackBerry than on Eric’s bizarre antics; Doug feels uncomfortable being exposed to so many strangers; when Kate and Glenn (Will Forte and Lucy Punch) find out about it on their wedding day, they become angry that they were excluded from it.

Although the group endured setbacks during preparations for an orgy, they managed to pull it off despite them and found that it wasn’t as much fun as expected. Based on a true story that inspired Gregory and Huyck as they wrote their script while working at Larry Sanders Show. Additionally featuring Sudeikis and Bell are Leslie Bibb, Michelle Borth, Will Forte Martin Starr, and Lindsay Sloane in a cast that includes them all.

Nick Kroll

Nick Kroll has become one of the most sought-after creative talents today, appearing in hit comedy series such as The League and Kroll Show and his popular sketch comedy show Kroll Show. His Broadway work alongside John Mulaney as Gil Faizon/George St Geegland in the OH HELLO comedy special was widely lauded. Additionally, Kroll has created and written various animated projects.

Kroll plays Eric, the leader of a tight-knit group of thirtysomethings who meet regularly at his father’s summer house for drinks, debauchery, and wild parties. When his dad announces he plans to sell it off, Eric throws one last bash and devises an idea sure to bring everyone together: an Orgy.

The film features comedic performances from an ensemble cast that includes Jason Sudeikis, Lake Bell, Michelle Borth, Tyler Labine, Angela Sarafyan, Lindsay Sloane, and Martin Starr. Though not as explicit as its title implies, it still manages to be quite daring and funny, making this movie stand out among many comedies with limited raunchiness.

A Good Old Fashioned Orgy is an engagingly silly yet surprisingly sweet film about friendship. While not for everyone, those able to look past its raunchiness will likely enjoy its charms – including some profanity and sexual content that should be discussed before viewing this movie with family members or younger children who may need explaining that sexuality is normal and should not be ashamed about.

Lucy Punch

Saturday Night Live star Jason Sudeikis returns after an impressive run on television and hit film Horrible Bosses with another comedic classic, A Good Old-Fashioned Orgy. Featuring Tyler Labine, Leslie Bibb, Lake Bell, Nick Kroll, and Will Forte, among others as actors, this comedy marks Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck’s feature directorial debut; these authors previously worked for programs such as The Late Show with David Letterman, Frasier, King of the Hill, etc.

Eric is a 30-something party animal renowned for hosting lavish summer theme parties at his father’s opulent Hamptons pad. When he discovers that his dad plans on selling it, he throws one last big bash involving all his friends for an old-fashioned partner-swapping orgy – but their lives are already filled with their relationships.

After the O.G.y, there will be much raunchy humor and full frontal nudity as part of the package. All eyes will be watching to see whether or not this group of misfits can cohere together into something coherent and productive.

Lucy Punch hails from London and made her acting debut in 1998 in Alison Steadman’s short-lived series Let Them Eat Cake with Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders as Alison Steadman’s daughter Lucy. Since then, she has gone on to appear in both television and film roles, such as playing a nutty policewoman on BBC Two show Motherland.

Orgy is an entertaining comedy film with an outstanding cast and some delightful laugh-out-loud moments, but it lacks the boldness and surprise of Kevin Smith’s Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Still, if any of the actors or genres are particularly interesting to you, then Orgy should be on your watchlist.