How to Plan an Orgy in a Small Town: More precious than pornographic

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Don't let its provocative title fool you. Like fellow Canadian indies Young People F**king and My Awkward Sexual Adventure, Jeremy LaLonde's new film is more precious than pornographic, a light and ultimately charming dramedy about your friends and neighbours. That said, there is indeed an orgy at the centre of this film, populated by all kinds of neurotics for all the wrong reasons, and presided over by Cassie (Jewel Staite), a hot-shot sex columnist who's returned to her hometown to claim an inheritance. To compensate for any hard-core sensibilities, LaLonde offers a fair dose of raunch-lite comedy, and a few too many broad caricatures. But while the film suffers performance anxiety here and there, Staite and the rest of the all-star Cancon cast (every face here is familiar) work hard to ensure the movie lingers long after its climax. (18A) – Barry Hertz