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The Review
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The Review Directed by Alex DeRenzy.Released by Coastline Films in 1989. Available on DVD from Caballero Classics. (Note: this version of the film is about 86 minutes, not 44 minutes as listed on IMDB.) The story opens in Sicily where Gina (played by Lili Carati) and her American lover (played by Marc Wallice) are having a final farewell. Before being killed the American gives Gina a picture locket to wear around her neck. She then flees to safety in San Francisco, staying with her uncle "Johnny" (played by Jamie Gillis). However, he is being threatened with deportation to Italy due to his criminal background and orchestrates a plot to humiliate the judge (play be Mike Horner) in the case by videotaping him in a compromising situation with a number of prostitutes supplied by Eddie (played by Joey Silvera). Having one of his caught in such a situation would be bad for Eddie's business so he refuses to cooperate. In order to put pressure on him to reconsider, Johnny has his wife Liz (played by Tracey Adams) kidnapped. He offers to let her go once Eddie agrees to set up the judge. Eddie still refuses, so Johnny offers to take care of everything so that no one would ever know Eddie was involved. Johnny learns of the time and place of the judge's usual rendezvous with Eddie's girls. He then sends his own niece to be one of the girls who seduces the judge. While this is happening, Johnny and Liz have been falling for one another and finally given in to temptation as Liz has realized that it was her own husband who had her brother killed (the American at the beginning of the movie). Johnny calls Eddie and tells him that the deal is off and that he has decided to go to Italy with his wife. When Eddie finds out that Eddie's niece is involved in the<b> seduction </font></b>of the judge, he kidnaps her and demands to exchange her for his wife. At the meet, Eddie releases Gina, but Liz refuses to go back with Eddie, telling him that she knows that he had her brother killed. She then goes with Johnny and Gina to live a life in Italy. Story Grade: A. This movie was shot on film. Medium Grade: A. Real locations were used in this production and there were a number of outdoor scenes. Set Design Grade: A. The sexual performances were good, but not spectacular. The sex scene between Jeannie Pepper and Lili Carati felt rushed since the set-up to it was very quick. No condoms were used in this production. Sexual Performances Grade: B. As an ensemble, the actors gave great performances. Jamie Gillis was believable as a serene Italian mobster. It would have been nice if Jeannie Pepper was given more to do in her part of playing the maid. Acting Grade: A. Costumes worn by the actors were appropriate with the exception of what Tom Byron wore in his sex scene with Jeannie Pepper. It seemed completely out of character. There were multiple instances in which the women wore high heels during the sex scenes which didn't seem appropriate. Wardrobe Grade: B-. Most scenes were lit well. Lighting was noticeably adjusted during the Tom Byron and Jeannie Pepper sex scene. Lighting Grade: B+. Dialogue was echoed throughout the entire movie. This may have occurred during the transfer, but was nevertheless an annoyance. Hopefully, this movie will eventually be re-released in a remastered widescreen edition. Sound Grade: D. By this time, most x-rated productions were being shot on video, so kudos to Mr. DeRenzy for shooting this on film. It looks remarkable. Unfortunately, the credits were done on video and they look extremely cheap by comparison. A boom was visible in one scene. Directing Grade: B+. Given that this production featured a well-developed story, talented actors, and real locations and was shot on film, there was definitely a great deal of artistic merit. Artistic Merit Grade: A. OVERALL GRADE: B+. |
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