Reviewed by SexHerald Staff
Adam and Eve productions has earned itself a reputation for creating films that tell stories, appeal to women, and have a higher production value than the average adult film. It’s a reputation that Adam and Eve has rightfully earned, but by no means are they the innovators. The industry has much to thank to earlier filmmakers who brought their unique vision to the screen. Candida Royalle is one such trailblazer whose work is still relevant today, 20 years after directing her first film. Originally, she was a star in front of the camera, but soon enough Royalle turned her attention to directing where she excelled. Her production company, Femme Productions, became a sensation for providing women with adult films that were from their own perspective. She has since become a sex therapist and lecturer. It is definitely a delight that Adam and Eve chose to honor Royalle with a DVD release of her work on their Star Director’s Series.
Rites of Passion is actually a double feature. Neither film is actually directed by Candida Royalle. This is, however, a showcase of how the films Royalle produced gave other female porn stars their break into directing. The first feature is Shady Madonna, directed by Veronica Vera. In this film, an evangelist named Mr. Morality is waiting in the green room before making a TV appearance. After dozing off, he finds himself in the same green room, but everything is slightly different. The production assistant is now wearing fewer clothes than she originally did. In fact, in each progressive scene she is in, another piece of clothing disappears. Mr. Morality soon finds out that there are many more surprises awaiting him.
While Mr. Morality is doing his sermon against rock and roll, the production crew is having sex on the set. Ever the moral crusader, Mr. Morality attempts to break up the action, but someone finds himself less disgusted by the carnality and more aroused. As you can imagine, the bible-thumper is a changed man when he awakes. I found Shady Madonna a very amusing film to watch and of course, being the little heathen that I am, I got a kick out of watching the evangelist succumb to temptation.
The second film, In Search of the Ultimate Sexual Experience, is actually only produced by Royalle. The directing went to the legendary Annie Sprinkle who also wrote and stars in the film. Sprinkle plays a hyper-sexed woman who becomes bored after realizing she has done nearly everything there is to do sexually. She has done threesomes, lesbianism, prostitution, stripping, various fetishes and, as she admits, “I even tried monogamy.” Her sexual salvation comes in the form of a “spirit guide” dressed in a genie outfit. He owes her “an ancient karmic debt” because in a past life, she was a samurai who gave her life in defense of the spirit guide’s castle. You following me so far? Anyway, the spirit guide gives the young nympho lessons on reaching sexual fulfillment. These lessons are often humorous and the film overall is very entertaining. Fans of modern gonzo porn will probably not have the patience to sit through the little funny scenes that are in-between all the sex. The film is in many ways shot like a music video. The music and camera tricks work together to create an interesting fantasy world.
Both films wouldn’t hold their own as DVDs in their own right, but put together they provide enough entertainment to be of value. They are also a fine example of how, once upon a time, the adult film industry had even attempted to entertain you, as you were beating off to their films. Old-school porn fans and couples will enjoy Candida Royalle’s Rites of Passion. CandidaRoyalle’sRitesofPassion
 Email this review to a friend
|
