ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ

A playful mood carries over Hampstead Heath one sunny afternoon in Scenes Of A Sexual Nature. It's a bold and witty debut by director Ed Blum with Ewan McGregor, Sophie Okonedo and Catherine Tate among a sterling cast grappling with sexual politics. Blum thankfully avoids the contrivances that usually bring everyone together in the standard urban ensemble piece and instead lets the strands hang loose. Sometimes the energy dips but you're never far from a titter.

With only 90 minutes and more than ten characters to juggle, the comedy moments make a stronger impact than attempts to tug the heartstrings. Tom Hardy is a hoot as a cockney geezer 'on the pull', turning around an otherwise melodramatic scene featuring a weepy Okenedo.

Often it's the lesser-known actors who nab the best parts. Gina McKee and Hugh Bonneville debate who is the more racist in a wryly amusing blind date scenario while Ewan McGregor coasts on his boyish charm as the promiscuous half of a gay couple. Whatever the scene demands, however, the performances are universally radiant.

"BEAUTIFUL BACKDROP AND PLEASING NUANCES"

The cast is served well by writer Aschlin Ditta who has a knack for funny banter without losing the natural flow of conversation. Similarly, Blum doesn't distract with arty camera angles, relying simply on a beautiful backdrop (green hills giving way to the London skyline) and the pleasing nuances the actors bring to their roles. This is a determinedly low-key comedy drama with no revelations to rock your world, but it's also an invigorating breath of fresh air.