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Review: Indecent Exposure (1981)




Tags: Gary GraverHarold Limevintage pornogolden ageVeronica HartJesie St. JamesArcadia LakeGeorgina SpelvinLily RodgersEric EdwardsRobert KermanRichard Bolla


In the wake of a difficult divorce, the “sensitive” Ted (always great, Eric Edwards) finds himself influenced by his former college classmate, Tony Ross (Robert “Bolla” Kerman), who has found a lucrative way to always be in “good company” by using his status as a modeling photographer to gain unlimited access to all the candidates. Inviting his friend to share such “wealth” leads Tony to the displeasure of his long-suffering girlfriend, Lilah (the enormous Veronica Hart), and the photography assistant, June (a sweet Jesie St. James), who is in love with Ted. A mysterious assignment takes the entire crew to the mansion of aristocrat Batty Ariellana van Laren-Devane (Georgina Spelvin), a wealthy eccentric whose skills at “games” surpass those of the rest of the cast. Of course, in 1981, the self-proclaimed golden age of adult cinema was still in full swing, audiences had plenty of options, and any reputable "meat" critic could afford to be picky about their likes and dislikes. In this case, Harold Lime and C.W. O'Hara's script was the target of vicious ire for a radical, redemptive third act, its soul-searching reminiscent of some of Woody Allen's work. But before we get there, the plot maintains a carefully crafted carnal fizz, effortlessly combining humor with some very solid sex, as seen with Arcadia Lake as Karma (a hippie who owns a vegetarian shop); or Lily Rodgers, the supposed virgin daddy's daughter with a volcanic temper... Needless to say, the five protagonists do an excellent job in the acting department, and Hart and Kerman, once again, defend their title of dialogue champion, in their adult version à la Tracy and Hepburn.