"Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass" is Sundance’s F*cked Up "Wizard of OZ"

The concept of the Celebrity Sex Pass is supposed to be a thought experiment - a premise so outlandish that it would never possibly come to fruition… right? That is the question asked by David Wain's new star-studded absurdist comedy, Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass - a new take on The Wizard of Oz that had audiences absolutely roaring with laughter at this year's Sundance Film Festival.

Narrated by the local mailman (Fred Melamed), when small town Kansas hairdresser Gail Daughtry (Zoe Deutch) introduces her fiancé, Tom (Michael Cassidy), to the concept of a Celebrity Sex Pass, she is shocked to find that he takes it seriously, expending his “one free lay” with Jennifer Anniston. Shaken by Tom’s unfaithful literalism, Gail embarks on a journey to even the score: something that can only be achieved by fucking Emmy-winning actor, Jon Hamm.

During her quest down Hollywood’s yellow-starred road, Gail collects a band of friendly misfits who (almost) all have their reasons for wanting to see Jon Hamm. Caleb (Ben Wang), has dreams of making it big as an agent at CAA, something that a celebrity of Jon Hamm’s stature might be able to make happen. Ken Marino plays Vincent, a down-on-his-luck paparazzo whose only mark he’s ever missed was Jon Hamm. John Slattery, in possibly his best role since Mad Men plays a fictional, washed up version of himself who hopes that a meeting with his former co-star might reinvigorate his ailing career. Otto (Miles Gutierrez-Riley) doesn’t really have a reason for seeing Jon Hamm - he just wants to help his bestie get back at her cheating fiancé.

But not all is well in OZ - Sabrina Impacciatore’s downright wicked mob boss sees her plans at financial anarchy delayed when Gail Daughtry accidentally swaps briefcases with her goons, leading to a madcap chase down the yellow brick road with hired guns hot on Gail’s tail as she tracks down Don Draper.

And speaking of Mr. Draper, Jon Hamm delivers an excellent, although limited, performance as this film’s “wizard.” He is just one of a handful of celebrities to have small roles playing themselves. Henry Winkler, Weird Al Yankovic, Richard Kind, Penn Jillette, Elizabeth Perkins, and Paul Rudd all make comedic appearances. Personally, while I loved all of the celebrity cameos, the actor who stuck with me the most was Tobie Windham, playing Jon Hamm’s assistant - a man who promises to make any unwelcome visitors "VERY sick." How? Why? Under what circumstances? Doesn’t matter. Windham delivers the threat with such gusto that I couldn’t help but die laughing. 

Photo by Katie Hatzfeld/Park Record

The Wizard of Oz references in Gail Daughtry and The Celebrity Sex Pass are numerous but subtle enough to keep the audiences from feeling too saturated in another story. From the ever-growing band of characters to the sparkly ruby converse, to the main character's name, Gail Daughtry puts a new, modern, and incredibly unexpected twist on a classic tale.

Despite some pacing issues near the end of the second act, Gail Daughtry and The Celebrity Sex Pass is a comedic rollercoaster from start to finish. While the structure is sure to be familiar to most viewers - The Wizard of OZ still remains a culture touchstone for Gen Z, many of whom came to the story through their parents or the musical reimagining (and it’s recent film adaptations) Wicked. I think that most viewers will find the humor and characters to be worth it. After all, sex is funny, and sometimes it can take you over the rainbow.