Alba to star in sex toy drama

Director Andy Tennant is preparing to adapt a 2004 New York Times Magazine profile of Linda Brewer, a 59-year-old woman from the Bible Belt who became a top salesperson for a California-based adult novelty company. The film, titled The Fun Lady, is currently in development with Highland Film Group and was presented at the American Film Market.

The story centers on a character named Mora, played by Jessica Alba, who returns to her parents' small town in Arkansas after her life in Los Angeles collapses. In this setting, employment is scarce and social scrutiny is high. To start over, Mora begins selling sex toys, including vibrators, edible lotions, and erotic games, despite having never experienced an orgasm.

Alba is producing the project through her Metalmark Entertainment company. Tennant stated that Alba is an entrepreneur who takes the material seriously, noting that she wants to explore thematic issues regarding women's sexuality and the dynamics of marriage. The director described Alba as incredibly smart and well-suited for the role.

The script was written by Mark Steilen, who based the narrative on interviews with Brewer. Tennant said he did not need to make significant changes to the draft, calling it one of the few scripts offered to him that did not require a heavy rewrite. He described the film as adjacent to his 2002 hit Sweet Home Alabama, though he emphasized it is not a traditional romantic comedy.

Brewer, who sold up to $140,000 in products in a single year, has passed away. Tennant confirmed that her children are eager to see the film made and that she was heavily involved with Steilen during the writing process. The film aims to portray the various women who attended the passion parties, ensuring their relationships and issues are distinct from one another.

Tennant directed Sweet Home Alabama and Hitch, and he views this project as an opportunity to explore female resilience and vulnerability. He aims to create a film that balances humor with an honest look at human relationships. Production is set to begin early next year, with a full cast currently being assembled.

The director likened the filmmaking process to leading an orchestra, where each character contributes a different tone to the final harmony. He hopes the film will allow audiences to reflect on their own relationships while enjoying the story. The goal is to achieve a level of intimacy and honesty comparable to classic comedies by Sydney Pollack and Mike Nichols.