Pervirella

A duff attempt at reviving the British sex comedy, which just about survives by virtue of not taking itself in the slightest bit seriously. The theme that female libido can be positive and empowering is the only real similarity with "Barbarella" - although the outfits will appeal to men as much here as they did there! Harmless fun (but not too harmless...) and a film that would have a cult following, if it weren't so obscure!

But enough about the film. This is really just a vehicle for the delectable Emily Bouffante (a.k.a. "Bouff") who has her own small but dedicated cult following among the further-flung fringes of British TV fandom.

I loved Pervirella!! Emily Bouffante is just gorgeous, and a fine comedienne. The plot is bizarre but entertaining, and the art direction and costumes are fascinating. The city-scapes are models and full of strange details. What I like best about Pervirella is the positive way the female libido is portrayed. How refreshing to see such unrepentant sexiness. A lot of fun.

I have a friend who is one of the cult bouff fans and he loves this film. He loaned it to me in an attempt to persuade me to join the bouff cult but it pushed me in the opposite direction. On to the movie - where oh where oh where oh where do I start? Duff acting, duff script, duff effects that are befitting of this 'Z' movie. It is supposed to be an arousing comedy but it fails in both areas. If you have committed an evil sin and want to evil up the score with the almighty then watching this film will even up the score.

Most people here think this is a dud. I disagree with them, but I also understand them completely. I think the problem with this movie is: it has been made for a very small group of lovers of the grotesque only. Everything is parody: the clothing, the 1960's colours, the 'special effects', the acting. This movie not only mocks Barbarella, but all science fiction movies made in the 50's and 60's, all adventure movies of the same period and all logical thinking.

Especially the first twenty minutes of this movie contains enough mad ideas by the makers to make twenty complete movies. But they don't and pack it all in just twenty minutes. Just wait till you see the special effects, the announcement for the James Bond movie (coming to this theatre soon), or the king(!) giving birth regularly.

Only people who love the more bizarre bits of Monty Python will stand this movie. And my guess is they will be fascinated, especially during the first 20 minutes or so. All others will gasp for a while with their mouth wide open and will then reach the conclusion: this is rubbish. And I don't think there is a way in between these views. Oh, by the way: in spite of the title this is not porn, nor it is a sex movie. If one has to categorize this movie, it is fantasy or a fairy tale. So don't let the title misguide you.

I loved the movie for what it is: an over the top parody of various genres, packed with bizarre, grotesque ideas. Thus I rate it 7 out of 10. But don't feel ashamed if you don't get the drift of this one, for it is all... Monty Python gone berserk.

British sex-humour hasn't progressed much since the seventies. It's still dirty old men behaving foolishly around a parade of young cleavage. "Pervirella" is basically a home-movie with no-budget production values masquerading as camp. The video cover art is great, as is the title, but beware!