The history of pornography is no more interesting or more apt a subject for cinema as singing nuns, one man's fight against the Nazis or even gladiators fighting for their liberty. Here we have one of life's small true story made even smaller by being produced by bumbling amateurs (the first film about bumbling amateurs - the Mitchell Brothers couldn't light a fire - made by bumbling amateurs?) who have nothing much to say other than "aren't porn people a queer bunch."
(Show biz is queer enough as it is - so you can imagine how queer the pimples on its backside are!)
True, the story of Behind the Green door and ill-fated Mitchell brothers is an interesting enough counterculture tale, but it can be told almost completely in a couple of paragraphs to the generally interested, and in maybe a page to the X-rated fan. This film knows it has two plums to pull out of the cake and one will do for a grand climax - but what falls in-between is plain boring and meaningless.
(Wives of porn directors like the money but don't like the business that money comes from do they - who would have thought?)
What on earth prompted Emilio Estevez to think that he should make this in to two hours? But let us forgive him a bit because he is a beginner and they often fall in love with their own work.
Boogie Nights (clearly the inspiration for this film being made) wasn't a great film - but it was very good and contained lots of ideas. This has no zest or drive and next to no ideas. They should show the two together in a double bill - to show how bad Boogie Nights could have been in the wrong hands.
Take away the sex part of the film and you have a script could have been written by the Dukes of Hazzard script writer on an off day. Rated X is neither sexy nor interesting - nor even a good time passer. Most actors on the screen look bored throughout and you will probably be as well.
(Show biz is queer enough as it is - so you can imagine how queer the pimples on its backside are!)
True, the story of Behind the Green door and ill-fated Mitchell brothers is an interesting enough counterculture tale, but it can be told almost completely in a couple of paragraphs to the generally interested, and in maybe a page to the X-rated fan. This film knows it has two plums to pull out of the cake and one will do for a grand climax - but what falls in-between is plain boring and meaningless.
(Wives of porn directors like the money but don't like the business that money comes from do they - who would have thought?)
What on earth prompted Emilio Estevez to think that he should make this in to two hours? But let us forgive him a bit because he is a beginner and they often fall in love with their own work.
Boogie Nights (clearly the inspiration for this film being made) wasn't a great film - but it was very good and contained lots of ideas. This has no zest or drive and next to no ideas. They should show the two together in a double bill - to show how bad Boogie Nights could have been in the wrong hands.
Take away the sex part of the film and you have a script could have been written by the Dukes of Hazzard script writer on an off day. Rated X is neither sexy nor interesting - nor even a good time passer. Most actors on the screen look bored throughout and you will probably be as well.