The End of Sex is the latest collaboration between director Sean Garrity (Borealis, I Propose We Never See Each Other Again After Tonight) and screenwriter/actor Jonas Chernick (Ashgrove).

The film feels like a throwback or a revisitation of themes explored in their sex comedy My Awkward Sexual Adventure.  While My Awkward Sexual Adventure was a general hit with audiences (even garnering a mention on TIFF’s Canada’s Top Ten list of 2012), I felt like the movie was missing maturity.  Thankfully, The End of Sex is not only more mature, but the topic of unfulfilled intimacy is juxtaposed more effectively within the dynamic of a loving yet sexually frustrated married couple (Chernick, Emily Hampshire) who are wanting to use their time wisely before their daughters return from camp.

However, The End of Sex is also the most lightweight project from Garrity and Chernick, and the depth of its material functions at the level of a sitcom.  It’s still a funny movie with witty repartee between its cast, and it’s refreshing to have a film featuring middle age adults openly discuss what they’re romantically vying for (and occasionally showing it without a filter).  The extra splash from some amusing animated graphics also elaborates on the film’s style.  But, there’s no edge to the more confrontational scenes between Chernick and Hampshire, or the curiousity that unexpectedly blooms with other people.  This’ll be good news for those who thought This Is 40 was a long bummer, but it’ll be a bit of a letdown for those expecting the Canadian answer to last year’s profound Good Luck to You, Leo Grande.

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Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie