The To Do List is everything you could possibly want from a sex comedy

For some reason I had been avoiding watching The To Do List. It’s been floating around my Netflix feed for some time, and I resisted. I gave in, and so should you. There are so many awesome things about this movie.

Firstly, it's set in 1993, which is now about the optimum period for any high school sex comedy. It's around 20 years ago, which means most of us can enjoy the romping alongside some cosy childhood nostalgia. And because no era is cooler than the one you grew up in, everything in this funny little film, has a rosy filter. We can enjoy gawking at the old technology, and the Internet (i.e Pornhub) doesn't get in the way of the narrative of a sexually clueless young woman figuring things out the old-fashioned way. The soundtrack is also rad.

Aubrey Plaza plays Brandy Klark, a sexually inexperienced valedictorian, keen to tick all the sex boxes before college, with the ultimate goal of getting into 90's hunk Rusty Water's Calvin's. I love Aubrey Plaza, and her deadpan delivery is particularly satisfying here. It’s most fun in the sex scenes, where her no-nonsense approach to getting the job done really comes into play. The combination of smut and sarcasm makes this film feel like an appealing mix of Superbad meets Daria.

There is an excellent supporting cast to enjoy, including Andy Samburg, Alia Shawkat, Donald Glover, Bill Hader, and Summer from The O.C! Everyone seems to be having a rollicking good time, and I'm very happy for them.

What I love the most is that writer/director Maggie Carey has made something far more positive than your usual sex comedy fare. There is an overriding message that its OK for young women to explore their sexuality on their own terms. It's great to see a high school sex comedy with a chick in the lead, showing no guilt or remorse about her sexuality. The only time Brandy considers her actions is when they hurt her best girlfriends, also something I can get onboard with.

(SPOILER) After lots of fucking around, Brandy must choose between besotted best friend Cameron, or super hot Rusty. Except she doesn't. She is happy to have her new experiences, but also happy in the knowledge that being young is a time to have fun and not settle into a serious relationship.

I kind of hate big romantic endings in teen movies, especially when they are presented as a happily ever after situation. It would be a bummer if someone's most romantic moment happened when they were 17. The To Do List doesn't subscribe to such bullshit and has a happier, more empowering message for it.

First published on strongfemalelead.wordpress.com