Insatiable: Diary of a Sex Addict (DVD)

Sex addiction has never been very easy to take seriously as a problem – perhaps the likes of Michael Douglas and Russell Brand have given it a bad name. Initially, it seems to be little problem for Val (Fabra) either, the Spanish sex addict of the title. A self proclaimed nymphomaniac from the moment she loses her virginity to her childhood sweetheart Edouard at the age of 15, the opening scenes hint at how she has spent the ensuing decade and a half engaged in an almost perpetual bonking frenzy.

“You have to try before falling in love,” she says, justifying her life of lechery to a female friend. And make no mistake: Val tries very hard indeed. Initially, the film threatens to become a ninety minute remake of the opening sequence from Betty Blue.

Thankfully, just when the endless scenes of rutting threaten to get boring, Val decides to give her bedsprings a rest. Approaching the big three zero, she finally starts to crave the security and stability, which a relationship with wealthy bachelor Jaime (Sbaraglia) seems to offer her.

Although some will be deterred by the unseemly prospect of Val discussing her sex life with her grandmother early on, Insatiable is better than its sensationalist title might suggest. True, there’s little groundbreaking in it – this is hardly the first film to suggest a similarity between marriage and prostitution, after all. It’s also true that most of Val’s problems with Jaime have less to with her past than the fact that he seems to be a complete dick anyway. Perhaps enraged by his resemblance to the director Tim Burton, Jaime is so insecure that he would struggle to hold down a relationship with Sister Wendy, let alone someone who has been around the block a few times.

Yet even if you just fancy watching a sex film, this ultimately achieves the goal outlined by porn director Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds) in Boogie Nights. In short, the story is strong enough that your interest will be maintained long after the novelty of the sex scenes has passed.

Overall Verdict: Better than it sounds. Perhaps not one to watch with your parents though.

Special Features:
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Reviewer: Chris Hallam