Review: Matinee Idol (1984)
- Author: Nochvemo
- Created on: 2025-03-21 18:39:56
- Link to movie: Matinee Idol (1984)
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Tags: Henri PachardRon Sullivanvintage porngolden ageJesie St. JamesJohn LeslieAngelHerschel Savage
The film begins comically with two porn actors, Lance Hardy and Linda Hand (John Leslie and Jesie St. James, respectively), on a film set about to begin a sex session for one of their successful releases. However, the project threatens to derail due to the friction (pun intended) between the two stars, to the point that the producers are forced to look for a replacement partner to take their places. After a long series of auditions, Daisy Cheney (a gorgeous and necessarily candid Angel) is finally hired to replace Linda Hand, while Hand suggests her pool cleaner (a hilarious Herschel Savage) to take Lance Hardy's place. But the Hardy/Hand duo is contractually forced to work together one last time before their replacements begin their rise to fame.
With a distinguished career in softcore films, producer Dave Friedman was talented enough to turn a visibly dull script into a surprisingly entertaining film. Its narrative fluidity, brisk pacing, and pleasantly puerile comedic quality are impressive. Friedman and Pachard manage to wring impressive results from a flimsy premise, and the film moves surprisingly quickly, considering the sagging plot. Part of the reason the material works so well is the cast, with numerous dazzling sexual encounters that help propel the film forward and make it feel lighthearted and fun. The film moves freely between scenarios, and its locations always seem sufficiently populated and decorated. Add to all this a ton of filthy dialogue, and you have a daring, frothy mix that doesn't break any new ground but offers almost 90 solid and surprisingly energetic minutes of adult entertainment.