Nahaufnahmen

Released after American Graffitti and before Jaws, a chance to catch Richard Dreyfuss in something that can be considered a legitimate art film, albeit with a bit of a bigger budget. Also amusing is Bob Hoskins in his role as Big Mac, making the same references to the upcoming onslaught of LA Freeways that served as a major plot device in his more well-known Eddie Valient role in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit".

Rather graphic for its time in the portrayal of full frontal female nudity, with a glimpse of full frontal male nudity (although we are spared the sight of Richard Dreyfuss and/or Bob Hoskins in the buff), the entire film takes place in one setting, with plenty of camera tracking movements instead of rapid cutting.

Jessica Harper as Cathy Cake is a wonderful character, and I am a bit surprised that her career was not more extensive. I wonder if this role hurt her marketability at all. Both Harper and Veronica Cartwright have plenty of scenes with casual nudity, and Dreyfuss is rarely seen without a whiskey bottle in hand.

Its now available on DVD. Check it out if you can.

As unique a "movie within a movie" film as you will ever see.

This unusual and imaginative tale is well-acted, funny, and a credit to Dreyfuss, Harper (Phantom of the Paradise), and Hoskins (The Long Good Friday). The comments of others will give you a sense of the plot line; the sad thing is that you may never see this small gem, which richly deserves to be released on tape. I certainly regret not being able to see it again.

This films plot centers around the making of, probably one of the first, porn movies, Sadly when it was released it was pre-arthouse cinemas and pre-video, so it was lumped in with second rate soft porn flic houses around soho London. Consequently it died a lonely death. Around this time Art house cinemas were starting to emerge in University towns which is how I caught it late night in Edinburgh. I was just knocked out by it's sharp drama wrapped in a comedy that launched incredibly incisive comment. Bob Hoskins character as the wannabee hood getting irate when he discovers that Richard Dreyfuss's character, the has-been director, has removed the camera from the tripod, in shear enthusiasm, as he filmed the sexual act. 'How is that going to look!' 'It's not going to look, it's going to be looked at!' retorts Richard Dreyfuss character. The economy of the lines are brilliant! Yes this is a one room drama, which is a tall order for cinema and few have conquered it but this film does brilliantly.

"A degenerate film with dignity" is the tag line for this comedy...and it is...a comedy. One thing many people might miss from this movie is the humor. At times it is bitter sweet and at times it is caustic. With characters like the mogul named "Big Mac", who wants to conquer the hamburger stand market, to the the porn actor called "Rex the Wonder Horse", who moonlights as an undertaker; what can you do but laugh.

It is very much a filmed stage play taking place in one large room with only a handful of actors. Yet you will hardly notice it. True to it's time frame (Hollywood at the dawn of sound), it's stands up to it's own time (1970's) and today's (2000's). Currently the porn industry does almost as much business as main stream films ("What Price Hollywood?"). In fact, Porn generates more money than Country Music. How many country music channels are there? How many porn?

You may never listen to the tune "Moonglow" in the same way again.

Watching it as a bitter sweet comedy, you cannot but enjoy this film. I have only seen the 117 min. version and not the shortened one. Be warned if only the 99 min. version is available.

It's difficult to find this movie. But if you get the chance, see it.

The same year that he starred in "Jaws", Richard Dreyfuss played a very different role in John Byrum's "Inserts". This focus on a director whose trouble adjusting to the arrival of talkies has resulted in him directing porno flicks is quite shocking. I guess that the point is that the dreams that people had of going to Hollywood and becoming stars - whether in front of or behind the camera - were in vain.

Jessica Harper's role as the moll interested in porno reminded me a bit of her aspiring singer in Brian DePalma's "Phantom of the Paradise". Bob Hoskins as the producer reminded me very much of his detective in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" (incidentally, both movies focus on old Hollywood and mention the construction of freeways). As for Veronica Cartwright, this movie combined with "The Birds" and "Alien" makes her one versatile actress.

All in all, this movie won't be for everyone, but I liked it.