Mr. Lipps' Rating:

Starring: Directed by porn legend Alex DeRenzy, this 1989 film nominally stars Lili (Lilli) Carati, an Italian dish who apparently was a bigtime erotic star in Europe but made very little porno in the USA. She's backed up by a flock of Hall of Famers -- Tracey Adams, Jeannie Pepper, and Debi Diamond, plus studs Joey Silvera, Jamie Gillis, Tom Byron, Marc Wallice, and Miko Horner. Raven Richards and Suzie Vegas help heat up an orgy scene, and Steve Vegas and Blake Palmer lend studly support. Producer Henri Pachard has a small non-sex role. (Sorry, folks, Ginger Lynn's not in this one. ) Since this film has a plot that begs attention, the acting is of consequence, but not much quality -- merely serviceable, though no one is really bad.

This one's shot on film, but the cinematography is muddy-looking and could have been much sharper. It's set primarily in two opulent homes, and DeRenzy takes it outside a bit. The sets are above average but are hardly the point here. It's all about plot. (Unfortunately, no writer is credited. ) We start out seeing Gina (Lili), a young Sicilian girl, instructed to "say goodbye" to a handsome American (Marc) who apparently has been hiding out on her island. After they make love, however, the American is murdered, and Gina must flee Mafia vengence. She arrives at the US home of her uncle, Johnny Lucano (Jamie), a hood who regards his niece as just another whore but protects her because she's "family". Lucano is about to be deported by a vindictive judge (Horner), and he appeals to another mobster, Eddie Perroni (Joey), to help him blackmail the judge by setting up a tryst between the judge and one of Eddie's hookers. Perroni refuses to endanger his business that way, so Lucano kidnaps Perroni's wife, Liz (Tracey). Lucano falls in love with Liz but intends to hold her only until Perroni agrees to cooperate. From there -- well, let's just say that a twist of fate, and some help from Gina, bring about a "happy" ending for Johnny and Liz

With such a great cast and celebrated director, I'm not sure why this film doesn't pack more erotic power. There are some fairly hot scenes, and they're frequent for such a plot-heavy film, but while a few smolder, nothing really cathes fire. Lili is a pretty, olive-skinned brunette and a fiery cocksucker who really wails on Marc's horn in the opening scene. After the action shifts to US, we see Joey and Tracey in a grudge fuck. By this point in her career, Tracey has added those wonderful pounds that make fans of mature, Rubenesque women drool. She's plump and gorgeous, though understandably a bit subdued in this scene. Things heat up considerably, however, in the mini-orgy that follows among Joey's girls and his gang. Debi Diamond almost steals the film with her Hoover job on Joey, and Raven and Suzie seem to enjoy their triple-teaming from Tom, Steve, and Blake. Lili returns to action in a great lezzie scene with Johnny's maid, Carmella (Jeannie), who then takes a scolding and a hot fuck from Johnny's henchman, Georgio (Tom). Tom also has an opportunity to try out Lili's charms, and she responds with enthusiasm to his big dick. Unfortunately, the last two scenes, different in tone and mood, are intercut: Lili and Debi treat Horner's kinky, corsette-wearing judge to a lusty threesome, but the Jamie-Tracey tryst should have been save and presented alone for a romantic finale. As presented, the heat and intensity of both scenes suffer.

On paper, DeRenzy and this great cast really recommend the film. Jeannie Pepper and Debi Diamond live up to their billing, Lili is a nice surprise, but the others (including Tracey) have done hotter work. The storyline is a little clumsy but it's several cuts above your average porn flick.

I can't put my dick on the exact cause, but this film never takes off erotically, despite DeRenzy and the outstanding cast. Perhaps the presure of making a "big" film with a big Eurostar and a realy story got in the way of the hot sex.

I like to endorse porn flick (even if they wer made in 1989) that feature a good story, decent production values, AND hot sex. The plot here might appeal to couples and solos who enjoy a storyline, and fans of Jeannie, Debi, Tom, and the mature Tracey will enjoy seeing them in action here. But if overall heat is a major factor in evaluating a porn video, I have to be honest. This one is missing some. RATING: 7

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