Between Lovers

Though "Henri Pachard" (a/k/a Ron Sullivan) is this movie's credited director, it soon becomes clear that co-writer/producer Marga Aulbach (previously "Michelle Ames") was looking over his shoulder the whole time. Now while I don't think that "couples films" are a bad idea per se (indeed, Aulbach produced one of the very best in Sam Weston's THE DANCERS), I do object to flicks that soft-pedal their sexual content in a pathetic – and ultimately pointless – crossover bid. A reworking of the popular Dyan Cannon TV movie HAVING IT ALL, which was released theatrically in several European countries including my native Belgium, BETWEEN LOVERS proves well-made, nicely written, impeccably produced – though Chet and Jim Moore's syrupy theme song begins to grate after a bit – and beautifully acted by a cast of seasoned genre veterans. It's sorely lacking in lust however, making it perhaps most useful as a starter film for the most timid of twosomes who wanted an upgrade from what cable could cough up at the time.

Jesie St. James (Weston's muse in masterpieces like EASY and TALK DIRTY TO ME) shines as successful dress designer Maggie Turner, commuting between San Francisco and Los Angeles to keep her booming business afloat. Coming home a day early, she catches husband Brad (a characteristically excellent John Leslie) in the act with his secretary Mai Lin. To quote an old wisdom, she may not be able to type (not with those press-on Dragon Lady fingernails anyway), but she sure knows how to take dic(k)tation ! Sorry about that. On her next trip, Maggie wanders into a singles bar and allows herself to be picked up – sort of, as he's too sauced to be suave – by handsome Dexter Kane (a lovable goof-ball turn by the ever reliable Joey Silvera). Pretending she's not married, Maggie has a wonderful weekend with her newfound love but, upon her return, Brad assures her that his infidelity was but a one time slip and vows to make amends. Confiding only in her best friend and business partner Carol (legendary Georgina Spelvin, stealing every scene she's in) that she's unable to choose between both men, Maggie decides to have her cake and eat it too, though matters get a tad tricky when Dexter proposes to her and she accepts, fearful of hurting his feelings. All is resolved in a most entertaining manner at Maggie's big fashion show with both husbands attending who, in a particularly clever twist, have already unknowingly befriended one another as Brad set out to investigate his wife's whereabouts after finding an incriminating book of matches in her luggage.

With so much going for it, this movie should rightfully have been a classic of its kind. Ultimately though, it's done in by its lukewarm sex scenes, often marked by the lack of foreplay evident in Aulbach's solo directorial efforts HOW DO YOU LIKE IT ? and THOUGHT YOU'D NEVER ASK. Exceptions are Jesie's properly motivated encounters with Silvera and Leslie, the latter amusingly befuddled at his wife's newly awakened ardor, the fully rounded characterizations elevating these sequences above the fairly standard bedroom boinks they would otherwise be. Spelvin, as a closet lesbian, emanates most sensuality of any performer here – adding further proof that older women are almost invariably more interesting sexually than young girls – in an achingly erotic number with adorable Wendy Walker, a comforting masturbation session with St. James and her comical "diversion" with Silvera as part of the film's convoluted climax. For the record, the two starlets who are part of the "male bonding" group scene with Leslie and Silvera are blonde Cheri Leblanc, who was never seen or heard of again, and brunette Adrienne Bellaire who had a bit part in Phil Marshak's loopy BLUE ICE and a rare lead in a barely remembered little video called DEVIATIONS about an all girl rock band including the likes of professional pouter Robin Everett and a glowingly youthful Shanna McCullough making her hardcore debut.