''The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human'' is a 1999

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

mockumentary directed and written by Jeff Abugov, and starring David Hyde Pierce, Carmen Electra, Lucy Liu, and Mackenzie Astin.

Premise

Hyde Pierce, acting out the role of an alien (credited as "infinity-cubed" in the opening credits), narrates a courtship in a late 20th-century American city, presenting findings and opinions as an extraterrestrial nature documentary. The relationship "footage" is played straight, while the voice-over (with its most often wildly inaccurate theories) and elaborate visual metaphors add comedy. Among other themes the film explores the possibility that, whenever describing their interpretations of other species' acts and feelings, humans may get everything wrong.

Plot

Billy, a shy young man looking for a date, meets the beautiful Jenny Smith at a nightclub. They enter a relationship where Billy is bashful to tell Jenny that he loves her due to fear of being "trapped", and both paramours receive advice from their respective friends. The couple engage in sexual encounters while using barrier devices; during these encounters Billy is unable to reveal to Jenny his affection. Then, one year after their first meeting, Billy and Jenny decide to take a vacation, and (hastily) sleep together without

condom A condom is a sheath-shaped barrier device used during sexual intercourse to reduce the probability of pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection (STI). There are both male and female condoms. With proper use—and use at every act of in ...

s or

diaphragm Diaphragm may refer to: Anatomy * Thoracic diaphragm, a thin sheet of muscle between the thorax and the abdomen * Pelvic diaphragm or pelvic floor, a pelvic structure * Urogenital diaphragm or triangular ligament, a pelvic structure Other * Diap ...

s. Soon after, Jenny discovers that she is pregnant, and argues with Billy, who accuses her of trapping him into marriage. The couple take bad consultations from their coworkers. Eventually, Jenny decides to go to a clinic to abort her unwanted child. Billy comes to his senses and stops her from doing so, resulting in the two confessing their love for one another. The film ends with Billy and Jenny getting happily married and celebrating the birth of their child.

Cast

* David Hyde Pierce as Narrator (voice) * Mackenzie Astin as The Male (Billy Waterson) * Carmen Electra as The Female (Jenny Smith) *

Markus Redmond Markus William Redmond (born February 5, 1971) is an American actor, director, and screenwriter. Career In 2016, Redmond directed and starred in the independent film, ''The 6th Degree'', a psychological thriller that he also wrote and co-produ ...

as The Male's Friend * Lucy Liu as The Female's Friend (Lydia) * Lisa Rotondi as The Female's Slutty Friend (Ian Calder) *

Sharon Wyatt Sharon Wyatt (born February 13, 1953) is an American soap opera actress. Career Wyatt portrayed Tiffany Hill on the daytime soap '' General Hospital'' from July 14, 1981 to July 10, 1984 and again from July 30, 1986 to February 24, 1995. From 2 ...

as The Male's Mother * Jack Kehler as The Male's Father *

Leo Rossi Leo Rossi (born June 26, 1946) is an American actor, writer and producer. A character actor with over 100 credits to his name, he is known for his role as foul-mouthed EMT Vincent "Budd" Scarlotti in the 1981 horror film '' Halloween II'', as ...

as The Female's Father * Antonette Saftler as The Female's Mother *

Marc Blucas Marcus Paul Blucas (born January 11, 1972) is an American actor. Prior to his acting career, he played college basketball with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. He had his first starring role as soldier and love interest Riley Finn on the WB super ...

as The Female's Ex-Boyfriend * Anne Gee Byrd as The Female's Boss * Eric Kushnick as The Female's Brother * Linda Porter as The Wise Old Woman * Tyler Abugov as The Female's Fantasy Son

Reception

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human, The 1999 films 1990s science fiction comedy films 1999 independent films 1990s sex comedy films American science fiction comedy films American independent films American mockumentary films American sex comedy films Films shot in Los Angeles 1999 comedy films 1990s English-language films 1990s American films 1999 science fiction films