30 Beats 2012

In the heart of New York City, over the course of three pivotal days, ten individuals weave together in a complex tapestry of interconnected sexual encounters. The narrative commences with Julie (Condola Rashad), a young woman who seeks to shed her innocence by sharing a intimate encounter with Adam (Justin Kirk), her former anthropology professor. This initial meeting sets the stage for a series of events that unfold through a web of relationships, desires, and self-discoveries.

As Adam’s story unfolds, he turns to Erika (Jennifer Tilly), a tarot reader, seeking guidance on his sexual prowess and superstitions. Her mystical ritual aims to cleanse him of his carnal needs, hinting at the complexities that lie beneath his desires. This encounter sets the tone for Erika’s own journey, as she becomes entwined with Diego (Jason Day), a young bicycle messenger who confides in her about his unrequited love for another woman.

Diego’s path eventually converges with Laura (Paz de la Huerta), whose physical scar serves as a metaphor for the emotional scars that often accompany vulnerability. As Diego grapples with his own feelings of inadequacy, he implores Laura to accept her body and herself in its entirety. This poignant moment of introspection is juxtaposed against the bold flirtations of Laura, who attempts to seduce Matt (Lee Pace), her chiropractor.

Matt’s story takes a turn when he meets Kim (Vahina Giocante), a free-spirited young French woman with a thriving sexual life. As they navigate their relationship, Kim reveals her comfort with polyamory and her open-mindedness towards pleasure. This openness is tested when she agrees to meet Julian (Thomas Sadoski), a regular caller at her answering service, for lunch. What ensues is a nuanced exploration of trust, vulnerability, and the blurred lines between intimacy and connection.

Throughout this intricate narrative, characters intersect and collide in a dance of desire, self-discovery, and acceptance. As each individual navigates their own journey of sexual awakening and personal growth, they leave behind a trail of stories that intertwine and resonate long after the final encounter has faded away.

In this pivotal moment, Julian’s secret life as a speechwriter is brought to light as he visits Alice (Ingeborga Dapkunaite), a call girl who has been his partner in exploring the realm of bondage. But Alice is no longer content with her profession and confides to Julien that she is seriously considering leaving it behind to pursue her passion for art, and their arrangement must come to an end. Despite Julian’s best efforts to persuade Alice to hold on to what she does well, her resolve remains unshakeable, and she departs to immerse herself in her new artist studio.

As a respite from her emotional turmoil, Alice seeks solace at a health spa, where she encounters a charming young man named Shawn (Ben Levin) in the steam room. Their sensual encounter is brief but intense, leaving an indelible mark on both of them. However, their connection is short-lived, as Shawn suffers a head injury and is rushed to the hospital, resulting in temporary amnesia that erases all memory of their encounter.

Alice accompanies Shawn to the hospital, determined to remind him of their shared experience. As he regains his memory, the tables are turned when Shawn meets Julie, his childhood friend, who unknowingly becomes entangled in a web of relationships that have come full circle. Initially, Julie is hesitant to acknowledge Shawn’s advances, citing the unorthodoxy of their relationship as friends. However, she eventually changes her mind and convinces Shawn to join her on the rooftop for an intimate encounter.

The narrative concludes with Julie symbolically breaking free from her past by discarding a red bracelet once tied to her anthropology professor, while embracing a new chapter in life alongside Shawn as he reads a book, their hands intertwined.