Instincts animal

I usually have no interest in this kind of film, and if I compared it to mainstream cinema I'd give it about 2 stars. But this film is all about presenting what is truly one of the Wonders of the Modern World, Shannon Whirry.

We all have our preferences, of course, and I wouldn't expect mine to match anyone else's (although the film sold well enough to justify sequels), but for those of you with tastes like mine this is a Don't Miss It Under Any Circumstances opportunity.

I understand Ms. Whirry is doing "legit" theater now. I hope she's finding success and earning appreciation for her other talents as well. Thank you, Ms. Whirry, for being unforgettable.

Gernert/Garroni/Hippolye Productions/Axis Films made a name for themselves and an overnight star of actress and then newcomer Shannon Whirry with this steamy tale based loosely on a well known true story.

Whirry portrays the character Joanne Cole, a woman on the verge...of wild sex, of 'generous' lovers, and of wanton violence that could end it all. Her husband (Maxwell Caulfield) is an overworked cop close to the edge. When he continues to ignore his wife's intimate needs, Joanne turns to others to fulfill her desires. When she is caught by David in a compromising situation, she realizes the way to get his attention is to let him watch. What he sees awakens his 'Animal Instincts'.

This film features a collage of familiar actors: David Carradine, very effective in his role as the sinister under-world type William Lamberti; Jan-Michael Vincent, as the corrupt city councilman Fletcher Ross; and ex-gymnast Mitch Gaylord in a small but effective role as David's cop partner, just to name a few.

A sensual brew of violence and passion is mixed with some of the boldest couplings ever to be granted an R Rating (also available in an UNRATED version, the one that is the subject of my review).

This film also features a very effective original music score by studio artists LIXX Array, whose synthesizer renditions are some of the best compliments to the already excellent direction (Gregory Hippolyte) and provocative cinematography in recent memory.

If a 'racy' movie occasionally is your 'oyster', treat yourself to this gem that redefined the term 'Erotic Thriller' in 1992, and set the standard by which all others of that genre are now judged.

Excellent!

"Animal Instincts" is one of those softcore b-movies that were in the "adult" section of the video shop back when video shops still existed. It's not a "Red Shoe Diary" type thing with the faux-arty cinematography, over-zealous acting and goofy soundtrack. The direction is actually quite pedestrian, which kind of shows up the actors, among whom are natural softcore queen Shannon Whirry, and performers who had fallen on hard times David Carradine, and perhaps the biggest Hollywood screw up who ever lived, Jan-Michael Vincent. There are times when the actors seem to be standing around, waiting for cues. You can see them ACTING. The guy who made this movie - surprisingly one of few adult filmmakers to transition to mainstream flicks - is no Zalman King or Tinto Brass or any of the other actually competent softcore directors.

The plot is about a neglected wife of a policeman who is investigating an underworld figure who owns strip clubs. The movie uses an ungainly device which shows the protagonist talking to a therapist to introduce different scenes. The movie is quite generous with nudity from multiple women aside from Whirry, so at least it delivers on that score.

The husband's lack of interest in his bodacious wife is kind of hard to believe, especially when she parades in front of him in the chicest of mid nineties lingerie.

For some reason the movie often focuses on the sight of tongues lapping at each other.

Inevitably, the Whirry character cheats, and is caught out - but the husband isn't angry, he's turned on. They agree that she will continue to find lovers, and will film her activities so that he can watch.

The first guy who responds to her personal ad just wants to talk, which seems unlikely given the nature of the ad. He also seems uncomfortable and nervous with Whirry coming onto him.

Shannon Whirry has amazing breasts. We're treated to a montage of her having sex with various people. She, and her partners, dress like it's Elizabethan England in one scene, with wigs and lace. In another scene, she dresses like a man, in a suit, kind of looking like a buxom Justin Bieber.

Whirry ends up getting around so much she even ends up having sex with her husband's partner.

Jan-Michael Vincent finally gets a scene almost an hour and ten minutes into the movie. He seems like some kind of politician. Even in the nineties, did high ranking politicians have pony tails?

Whirry's cop boyfriend sets up JMV to have sex with his wife so that they can film it for the sleazy nightclub owner, played by David Carradine, though how he does this is kind of left unexplained. It's like everybody who needs to have sex with Whirry for the needs of the plot, does, without much hassle. How small is the town in which the movie is set, that all these assignations can be made so easily?

Whirry's character inexplicably becomes a celebrity as a result of her having sex in front of the camera. Too bad that didn't happen to the real Shannon Whirry. John Saxon also makes an appearance at the zero hour.

Nude Shannon Whirry might be a sight to behold - though the movie doesn't feature enough full frontal nudity from her - and the movie's plot is enjoyably silly, but I didn't find it particularly erotic. I hope Whirry was in other movies that made better use of her physical form, if not her lack of real acting chops. This is the first one of her movies that I have seen.

No pun intended - I mean you know what I mean, right? There is a lot of music, especially saxophone during scenes of explicit material. Though not in a hardcore way - but more a softcore way. And with a star of the 90s that was quite natural - my puns, I hope you like them (as much as you might like the lead actress here).

Talking to someone (the camera) our main character reminisces what happened ... and how her (sex) life got spiced up. This may sound unbelievable to you .. considering how hot she is and why there would be an issue ... but suspend your disbelief and know that some people may have kinks (or maybe you have too and understand anyway).

That all being said, the story is quite solid - for an erotic movie (is it more drama or thriller? I'd go with the latter, but you decide for yourself). There is a satisfying conclusion ... and the ending is nice too (come on - I had to, yes?)

I rarely enjoy erotic films, but really loved this one. Its plot is quite basic the tale of a cop that works too hard and a wife that is neglected. Shannon Whirry as the wife is stunning and captures your attention. Its adult nature is full nudity and soft focus, with plenty of interesting outfits and people doing what is now seen as swinging. It hasn't really dated too badly, the hair is big, the g-strings high legged and the suits a bit 80s. Other than that they had kept it free of really obvious fashion or image disasters of the era.

The second film is also quite good and in the third Shannon wasn't included.

If you want intelligent eroticism then get Wild Things with Denise Richards, otherwise this will make a fun watch.