I've raved about new British film 'Scenes of a Sexual Nature' to several friends. I excitedly tell them: "Ewan Mcgregor plays a gay guy in it!" The inevitable reply comes back - "Oh, and does he get his bits out again?" Fair enough. No stranger to nudity in his work, Ewan's fruit and vege appear in many of his movies… but despite the title, this movie isn't another 'Shortbus' - the sex is only spoken about. OK, you see a pretty guy's butt and a pretty girl's panties but that's it. I adore a film with a great script, and this one sparkles from start to finish. The seven very different couples we meet on North London's Hampstead Heath give us a frank and realistic look at modern-day companionship, love and sex which confront our assumptions at every turn. Filmed in a few days with a very small budget, 'Scenes of a Sexual Nature' shows off subtle and engaging performances from a great cast - including comedy favourite Catherine Tate, whose character is going through a very amiable divorce indeed. Hampstead Heath is a notorious gay cruising ground, and this movie shows there's sex available even during the day in the 'male area' of the park. It's a fact not lost in Mcgregor's character, whose long-term partner okays him to cruise for random sex in the trees. Then, a revelation… should they start a family? I found all seven couples' scenes engaging - particularly the old couple on the park bench, who were both wonderful. And the guy going around trying it on with various women is very… eye-catching. The only disappointment was when the ending came. Not that it fizzled out, but it really left me wanting more. This is high-praise indeed in the age of the three-hour-long blockbuster. I'll be going to see this one again. 90 minutes well spent! 'Scenes of a Sexual Nature' begins in Rialto Cinemas nationwide on Thursday 7th June. Screening times are available at http://www.rialto.co.nz Matt Akersten - 5th June 2007