Miles' Rating:

Starring: One of the best couples films from the early nineties, this has never recieved its proper recognition, I believe, because the raincoat crowd is put off by its focus on emotions. But these are lusty, sexual emotions. Fans of ganging-banging New Wave Hookers (hey, I'm one!) should check this out, if for no other reason than Jeanna Fine's brassy, yet vulnerable performance. She's a reacently singled secretary who mixes her laundry with stranger Jon Dough's, setting off a stream of amorous mysteries. Adding to the tension, neither knows they both work at the same art gallery.

Director Jack Remy paints in the dark, lush colors of a straight romance movie, which is a major improvement over most porn films. Remy give his actors ample room to develop their characters, and lets the sex flow from their frustrations and desires.

For a film aimed at couples, many moments burn. The ease at which Jeanna slips into phone sex with a stranger is scorching, and when she fantasize about meeting her mystery man, she envisions a rock band orgy with her as the black leather main course. Dough goes a different route, dreaming of icy Britt Morgan atop a piano, a la Michelle Pfeifer. How typical is that?

When they finally agree to meet at a restaurant, having only talked on the phone, they wind up approching the wrong partners. Cliched? Yes. But watch the way Jeanna throws herself into Micky Ray. She's volcanic.

If there is a weak spot it's that Dough isn't nearly as good as Jeanna. And there's a running subplot involving Heather Hart chasing the art gallery's handyman that's cute, even sexy, but superfluous.

A 9. Worth seeking out.

Posted By Miles, www.excaliburfilms.com | 10/12/06 1:58 PM