Shortbus

John Cameron Mitchell's follow-up to his über-successful debut, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, is a dirty movie. A really dirty movie, to be precise. Straight and gay sex, masochism, domination, on-screen bodily functions, auto fellatio and more are shown in all of their hardcore glory. And that's all in first 10 minutes. This is no Times Square grindhouse skin flick, though. A sensation at Cannes, Shortbus blurs the line between comedy, drama and good old-fashioned porno as it follows young New Yorkers through their intersecting searches for emotional, spiritual and sexual connections with others and, more importantly, themselves in the post-9/11 city. The conduit for their search is an underground club called Shortbus, where exploration and experimentation is open and encouraged in many ways. Without question, Shortbus' content will turn many off, but those willing to accept the film's natural explicitness will find truly fine filmmaking. Mitchell has a carefree yet careful directorial hand. The cast of largely amateur actors brings a gusto to intimate performances that is rarely seen. It's the club, however, that holds the film together. A dark and jovial carnival atmosphere permeates, adding camp to the comedy and true tragedy to the tragic. (Phil Morehart) Grade: A