I Am A Sex Addict (2005)

63% of critics liked it
(32 reviews)
56% of users liked it
(13,504 ratings)

On the eve of his third wedding, documentary filmmaker Caveh Zahedi bravely turns the camera on himself to explore his decade-long addiction to sex in an autobiographical tale of personal peccadillo featuring animation from Waking Life artist Bob Sabiston and featuring a rare film appearance by… More On the eve of his third wedding, documentary filmmaker Caveh Zahedi bravely turns the camera on himself to explore his decade-long addiction to sex in an autobiographical tale of personal peccadillo featuring animation from Waking Life artist Bob Sabiston and featuring a rare film appearance by French porn legend Rebecca Lord. His previous marriages destroyed by his obsession with prostitutes and his many intimate relationships sabotaged by his unwavering commitment to the concept of open relationships, Zahedi boldly bares his soul before the camera to offer a comic look at the life of one man who truly can't get enough. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Caveh Zahedi, Emily Morse
Written By: Caveh Zahedi
Genres: Documentary, Drama, Art House & International, Comedy, Special Interest

In Theaters: Apr 12, 2006 Limited
On DVD: Sep 12, 2006
Studio: IFC First Take

Critic Reviews

Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
Candor wins points almost anywhere, and that's what Zahedi has, in spades.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
That self-indulgent documentary form, the biographical essay film, earns its most onanistic installment ever.
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
The narrowness of [Zahedi's] sexual repertoire is the springboard for a charming and boundless homemade sort of filmmaking.
Carina Chocano, Los Angeles Times
... Zahedi tries to construct a narrative from his epic bad behavior, presumably for the purpose of shedding light on something. What this is remains mysterious after a single viewing, but not so mysterious as to inspire a second.
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
The filmmaker's ability to at once mock himself and consider his dilemma with compassion transforms an otherwise smarmy tale into something honest and insightful.
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
Zahedi demonstrates that he's a diary-film maker who can transcend confession -- and its lurid cousin, exhibitionism, too.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
The movie nonetheless can't sustain the thin interest of a man's obsession with outlaw fellatio.
Eric Monder, Film Journal International
This strange little movie is a mixed bag, hard to eagerly recommend but also hard to completely dismiss.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
a fun and unique movie that isn't soon forgotten
Matt Pais, Metromix.com
Even if you can keep it in your pants, you'll be tickled and intrigued by Zahedi's look at why he couldn't.
Steve Schneider, Orlando Weekly
At 98 minutes, Addict demands an investment not repaid by its basic unpleasantness.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Self-involved and self-indulgent. It's almost as if [Zahedi] made the movie for himself, for his loved ones and for no one else.
Sean Means, Salt Lake Tribune
Making this confessional film may have been therapeutic for Zahedi, but it's pure torture for an audience.
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
Zahedi is wry and certainly fearless as he pours his sex life onto the screen, but around the ninth time he goes cruising for prostitutes it gets a little hard to take.
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
Zahedi pulls off the difficult trick of making you despise, pity and admire him. You get the feeling it's been much the same for the women in his life.
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
I kinda don't wanna burst Zahedi's bubble, because at least he's being open and exploratory and honest about how infatuated with himself he is, which is more than can be said for most men, but still: Bwahahaha, get over yourself, dude.
Timothy Knight, Reel.com
... the film's flaws stem from 'TMZ' -- too much Zahedi.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Luke B

A fascinating watch as we see one man use film making as a kind of therapy. This has probably been done before, but never so openly. Zahedi is an honest and endearing man. His naivety translates well into both comedy and genuine emotion. The constant breaking of the forth wall and… More
A fascinating watch as we see one man use film making as a kind of therapy. This has probably been done before, but never so openly. Zahedi is an honest and endearing man. His naivety translates well into both comedy and genuine emotion. The constant breaking of the forth wall and laying out facts about the film's production, as well as his story, make this sometimes jumbled, but always enjoyable. I got a real feel for Zahedi, but this film doesn't wallow in self pity or excuse his actions. It's low budget helps Zahedi create some wonderful little quirks.
Arash X

It's like something between documentary & mockumentary with a Woody Allen-ish kind of humour, Sometimes annoying sometimes funny sometimes uninteresting , sometimes pretentious & sometimes interesting
Keysha H

Surprising good story. And it seems this is also and autobiographical endeavor. The director narrates, and tell you about his problems with women..and himself. Funny, and very telling.
Dean M

Interested autobiographical documentary of a writer-director-recovering sex addict Caveh Zahedi in his past nasty and pervert life.
Chosen 7

Weird film but entertaining and hilarious at times...
Barry L

and me.........
Wu C

This sometimes funny docu-drama is ok.