Miles' Rating:

Starring: Nina Hartley, always a capable actress, gives a solid performance as a socialite who tangles with a roughneck, Dale DaBone, in this simple character-driven couples video that's too delicate for raincoaters. But if you want a reprieve from gonzo anal strecthing, you'll find much to like.

Directed by veteran Bob Chinn, "Hard Bound" is somewhat of a throwback. The plotting is straight from the late seventies.

Passionate and --gulp!--even romantic. When you watch TJ Hart and Tina Tyler play with each other, it's done with a slow hand and builds to an emotional peak. Chinn's keep the raunch shots to a minimal.

When Nina and Dale fantasize about one another (in two separate scenes) it's done with restraint and focuses on the simple pleasures of oral sex. The plot is simple enough. The two opposites meet when her car breaks down and he rides to her rescue. Chinn creates the predictable tensions, but when they finally tangle, it's refreshingly sincere.

The gonzo crowd will hate it.

Still, it's definitely worth seeing if you want a break from all those gaping shots and college school gangbangers covered with cum. An 8.

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