Hothouse

Better known for his absurdist early hardcore outings DRIVE and LEFT-HANDED, Jack Deveau contributes this solid if unremarkable entry in the gay XXX canon, a plot less sexual hang-out picture that nevertheless delivers the goods in terms of action.

Depicting little more than a day in the life of a particularly horny apartment complex, HOTHOUSE kicks off with painter Gary Hunt, finished with a day's work, taking the opportunity to cool off in the shower of his employer (Jack Wrangler). When Wrangler returns home from a game of racquetball with Roger (a mini-major gay porn icon credited by first name only), Roger asks to avail himself of Wrangler's facilities. Unfortunately, Jack's toilet is located right past the shower, necessitating an awkward squeeze to gain access. Ever the helpful guest, Hunt offers his services as makeshift latrine, before further volunteering to take care of Roger's other genital needs.

Just as Wrangler starts to grow frustrated waiting, neighbor Jayson MacBride barges in, asking if he can use the fire escape to get into his apartment (he's locked himself out). Sensing his friend won't be returning anytime soon, Wrangler accompanies MacBride upstairs, where they smoke a joint and he gives MacBride some head for good measure.

Back downstairs, Roger and Hunt have finished their activities and are hanging out in the living room when another neighbor drops in with a stag flick he's been meaning to show Wrangler. Busting out the projector, the three watch an old B&W loop famous for supposedly featuring future Warhol superstar Joe Dallessandro. The characters themselves don't allude to this bit of trivia either way, but the tattoo on the guy's arm looks good enough to be convincing.

Returning downstairs, Wrangler takes Roger aside for a private tete-a-tete in the bedroom. Left to their own devices, Hunt and the neighbor (David Hunter) get it on for lack of anything better to do. Meanwhile, Wrangler and Roger make it in the back room. (Original ad mats viewable at the Gay Erotic Video Index indicate this was the film's big selling point.)

Interchangeable in terms of its (non-)narrative with innumerable plot less grinders, the only thing that rescues HOTHOUSE is a surfeit of style, which Deveau uses to construct a smooth-flowing and surprisingly engaging hardcore hang-out flick. An expert move comes in intermingling the sex and narrative, so the whole thing flows more consistently and feels like a continuous whole rather than a group of disparate encounters. Playful use of a radio DJ- supplied Greek chorus, delivered by future S&M art-porn auteur Christopher Rage (credited under his nom-de-drag M.J. Stunning), also ads a much appreciated touch of levity to the picture. Sex is well directed, and the performers all vibe well together, with the standout being (natch) All- American Sex God Wrangler, whose statuesque good looks and enthusiastic oral technique cement his position as one of the filmdom's standout fantasy boys of the gay '70s.

While nothing to write home about in terms of narrative, HOTHOUSE nevertheless delivers polished and arousing sexual encounters executed with a playful and enthusiastic air of conviviality. While previous work may reveal him as capable of far more, it can sometimes be fun watching a master coast, and in the hands of the talented Deveau, HOTHOUSE delivers hot sex and a good time – nothing more required.