The 5-hour feature "The Gigolo" harkens back to when Euro porn distributor Private was pioneering in lavish, big-budget projects, an Adult Cinema trend afficianados fondly remember dating before porn became a commodity due to internet distribution stressing amateur and gonzo product.
First half presents a glamorous, jet setter backdrop with Rolls-Royces, French Riviera settings and beautiful ladies in lovely costumes. Frank Versace in the title role performs the sex scenes well but is singularly unimpressive, with Philippe Soine, soon to become a director, dominating the movie as the main character.
But of course it is the actresses who matter most. Lovely Tania Russof, seen on her wedding night with Soine in flashback, is still among the most beloved of Private superstars, and is exceptional in a BDSM scene that ends Part 1, including a cliff-hanger climax in which Gabrielle Scream dons a strap-on dildo to use on her in Part 2.
Scream is an actress who I'm not familiar with, who had a very brief career but shines here, literally dominating her scenes. She's a high-energy performer from America who should have become a star. Actual stars Monique Covet (one of Dorcel's greatest) and Olivia Del Rio also light up the screen briefly.
Whenever I read the same stupid comments about porn being silly and incapable of being an extension of mainstream cinema, I'm reminded of not just the famous so-called Porno Chic period of the '70s into early '80s but these VHS era major productions that due to changing tastes and severe budget reductions are no longer viable.
1 out of 1 found this helpful