Comedy Cult Classic

Mistaken mortality leads to high school hijinks in this teen sex comedy from Martha Coolidge.

JOY OF SEX

1984 · 1h 33m · R · Comedy / Romance · IMDB TMDB

Teenager Leslie Hindenberg, mistakenly believing she has just weeks to live, decides she will lose her virginity before she dies.

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Quick Answer

What is Joy of Sex about?

Joy of Sex is a 1984 American comedy-romance film directed by Martha Coolidge about a high school senior who, believing she has only six weeks to live, embarks on a mission to lose her virginity.

Programmer's Pick

Martha Coolidge brings her sharp comedic eye to the teen sex comedy, flipping the script with a female lead whose existential panic is matched only by her romantic misadventures. High school never looked more awkward—or more socked in by gym shorts and misunderstandings.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Leslie Hindenberg is navigating her senior year of high school when a trip to the doctor turns her world upside down—or so she thinks. After a misunderstanding, Leslie becomes convinced she has only six weeks to live, spurring her to pursue the milestone of losing her virginity before time runs out. Complicating matters, her father is the school’s physical education coach, leaving would-be suitors wary of dating the coach’s daughter. Meanwhile, Alan Holt, also a teen preoccupied with sex, deals with the pressure of his friends’ bragging and his own frustrations. Set against the backdrop of high school rituals, pranks, and awkward attempts at romance, the film offers a comedic exploration of teenage desires and misunderstandings.

Details & Specs

Director: Martha Coolidge
Writers: J.J. Salter, Kathleen Rowell, Alex Comfort
Release: 1984
Runtime: 1h 33m
Country: United States of America
Language: English
Genres: Comedy, Romance
Also Known As: Gran lío en la universidad, National Lampoon's The Joy of Sex, 조이 오브 섹스

Why This Matters

Directed by Martha Coolidge and based on Alex Comfort's popular sex manual, this 1984 film represents a collaboration between multiple screenwriters and adapts a well-known non-fiction work into the sex comedy genre.

— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Martha Coolidge Writers: J.J. Salter +2 more

Cameron Dye Alan Holt

Michelle Meyrink Leslie Hindenberg

Colleen Camp Liz Sampson

Ernie Hudson Mr. Porter

Lisa Langlois Melanie CV Charles Van Eman Max Holt

Joanne Baron Miss Post

Darren Dalton Ed Ingalls HH Heidi Holicker Candy

Cristen Kauffman Sharon DH David H. MacDonald Ernie Carpenter PT Paul Tulley Ted

Joe Unger Mr. Ranada

Christopher Lloyd Coach Hindenberg

Conni Marie Brazelton Allison

D.W. Brown Dinko

Randy Lowell Mushroom

Eugene Robert Glazer Dr. Fox SG Sharee Gregory Pretty Girl #1

Laura Harrington Pretty Girl #2 DM DeVera Marcus Mrs. Fish

Miguel A. Núñez Jr. Jock #2

Robert Prescott Tom Pittman / Richard JS Jan Stratton Miss Bismark

Danton Stone Farouk TW Terry Wagner-Otis Jenny Hindenberg

Carole Ita White Roberta HK Helen Kelly Student in Bleachers (uncredited)

Jeanne Mori Sunshine (uncredited)

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Why Cult

Female Perspective Sex Comedy

The story centers on a high school girl’s quest to lose her virginity, directed by Martha Coolidge, offering a twist on the usual teen sex comedy formula.

High School Misunderstandings

A mistaken diagnosis sets off a chain of comic misunderstandings and awkward attempts at romance in the halls of high school.

Awkward Parental Complications

Leslie’s father is the school’s P.E. coach, scaring off potential dates and adding another layer of comic difficulty to her mission.

National Lampoon Flavor

With roots in the National Lampoon series, expect irreverent humor, teen pranks, and plenty of risqué situations.