Sex Appeal

I couldn't stop laughing throughout this whole movie.

My review was written in July 1986 after watching the movie at a Times Square screening room.

"Sex Appeal" is a farcical comedy let down by its script. Yet another opus about a young man trying anything to get laid, picture went into regional release in May but is best suited to the less demanding ancillary markets.

Filmmaker Chuck Vincent has remade his 1980 hardcore porn production "Fascination" (which was directed by Larry Revene, who returns as cinematographer this time) that starred Ron Jeremy as a Jewish kid consulting a how-to book on getting dates. This time around Louie Bonanno toplines as Tony Cannelloni, an Italian kid from New Jersey who buys the book "Sex Appeal" as a guide to sexual conquests. Key element of the strategy is to move out of his parents' home to a bachelor pad in Manhattan, where his landlord/neighbor Donald (Jeff Eagle a/k/a Jeffrey Hurst) eavesdrops and uses Tony's misadventures as the basis for writing a lucrative series of articles for Playhouse magazine about the New Jersey Casanova.

Film briefly moves into the territory of Billy Wilder's "The Apartment" as Tony's father and sister separately try to use his pad for their own secret trysts, but essentially it's a bedroom farce without enough laughs. Early scenes at home around the dinner table are particularly flat, in the vein of "Saturday Night Fever" ethnicity.

A supporting cast loaded with talent familiar from Adult films turns in good performances, particularly two actresses who also appeared in "Fascination": Merle Michaels, cute as a nonstop talker with a Judy Holliday accent, and Veronica Hart ("Fascination" was her screen debut), hilariously spoofing the false passion of erotic scenes as she squeals loudly and endlessly at the slightest touch. Lead actor Bonanno is not very interesting and his terrifically-built leading lady Tally Brittany (a/k/a Tally Chanel) is unfortunately consigned to a small role that is more tease than necessary.

Cast employs a variety of pseudonyms, real names and alternate stage names arising from each thesp's attitude to the demarcation between Adult and mainstream filmmaking. Fans will easily sort it all out by recognizing familiar faces.

Okay, so there were some issues with the ending, and it was a bit of a slow start. However, overall it was an amusing, sexy, silly comedy. Typical of this style of comedy, the poor guy can't catch a break, and various scenarios ensue. I found it quite entertaining. If you are looking for high quality comedy, this isn't it. However, if you want 1980's style adult oriented laughs, yes, this does deliver.

The ending, sadly, seemed rushed, and I'd hoped it would be a bit more funny. However, the rest was pretty entertaining. I was considering giving it an 8 up until the last 10 minutes or so, but I guess it needed to be a 6.9 considering the style of movie it is.

I actually saw one of the actresses from this in another film today that was awful. Her character in this wasn't particularly much better. I saw some other reviews and information that this is basically an adult film toned down remake or at least based on one? I am curious about the original. That being said, I based my review on the movie I just watched, as I wasn't aware of the connection to the X rated movie until afterwards.

A film about a twentysomething ready to go full base but his trials would not left unheard. As he tumbles, his tales of failure became more famous AND his and his family's sex life gets complicated.

Awful and almost Z level in quality. No one can act. The write cannot write anything sensible AND the direction is amateurish.

To be honest, I just wrote this review since I looked up the actors and found that one of the actor had became a cult/spiritual guru under the name of "LOUIX DOR DEMPRIEY" and almost all of the principal cast having their career going into a halt after the 80s, which is sad but the industry is tough.

Overall, proceed with caution.

I love old comedy's like this. I wasn't around when this came ou of course but I always have found older movies to be good. If you like rom coms or sex comedy's then this is definitely for you. I could do without the mother being so attached to him. My mom and me were pretty close before she passed in 2020 but the mom in this movie is ridiculous. Plus, there is nothing wrong with having sex with people so anyone who thinks this movie is bad for that has no idea what they are talking about. I guess what I'm saying is if you don't like talking about sex or seeing sex in a movie then don't watch this movie and keep your comments to yourself cause I like this movie and I don't appreciate bad comments about a good movie. After all, movies are magic and that magic is eternal l.