It’s rare to see a sex comedy anymore that doesn’t weave baked goods or bestially into the story. By the fact that it manages to avoid this lowest-common-denominator grab at laughs alone, first-time director Billy Kent’s The OH in Ohio is a refreshing film. It’s such a welcome change of pace, in fact, that you don’t mind the fact that the last half hour feels like pillow talk compared to the fresh, funny lead-in.

The “OH” in The OH in Ohio refers to what’s missing from Priscilla Chase’s (Parker Posey) life - the ability to be on top of her sexual game. She’s got a prestigious job driving business to Cleveland, a perfect house in a fine neighborhood, and a husband (Jack, played by Paul Rudd) who, to all intents and purposes, loves her. But Priscilla’s “frigidity” in the bedroom has turned Jack, and their marriage, cold: he moves out, first to the garage then to an apartment called the “Manly Arms” and shacks up with a precocious student (Mischa Barton); she visits a self-pleasure guru (Liza Minnelli, stealing almost the entire movie in one scene), considers advances from a gay sex shop clerk (an uncredited Heather Graham), and pals around the city with a friend, scoring an endless line of men including local swimming magnate Wayne the Pool Guy (Danny DeVito).

Despite their equal parts in the disintegration of the marriage, the movie itself belongs to Priscilla and her road to sexual and personal discovery. Posey is endearing in the role, bringing sophistication to her cute, quirky repertoire. This steals some thunder from Rudd’s perfect comic delivery in his role; a whole second movie could be made of the same plot just to give him a chance to be the lead actor.

As the story focuses more on Posey’s character, the comedy slows down significantly, hanging Rudd out to dry. But Kent and newbie screenwriter Adam Wierzbianski pace the movie well, replacing the raunchy guffaws with a sweet, measured plot and giving chances for even the secondary characters to shine, which they certainly do. Barton is a convincing but subtle seductress, and DeVito gives Wayne a great sweetness and leaves his typical shtick for other movies. Some say it’s the director that makes the movie, and Kent does a commendable job, but it’s really the actors that put The OH in Ohio over the top.

Rating: * * * * of 5

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