The Awakening of Gabriella

Just a bad movie. Not erotic, not funny, not worth watching - That's why I fast-forwarded through the last half of the movie. Poor scripting combined with poor acting,save possibly for Mark Ritter. Even though the "rated" version of this movie had extensive editing done to it (to receive an R-rating), I'm not sure it would have been any more worth watching had all the scenes been left in. "Wild Things" was much more erotic. For that matter "Will and Grace" is more erotic than "The Awakening of Gabriella".

If you're after hardcore scenes, this is not your film. If you're looking for exceptionally beautiful women and very handsome men looking fabulous in romantically arousing scenes to watch with your loved one, then get this film now. My wife and I loved it. Susan Featherly comes across as gentle, innocent, real and lovely (with one of the most beautiful noses in the world) as the heroine coming to terms with a more sophisticated lifestyle. The leading man is handsome and distinguished. The supporting actresses Taimie Hannum and Jeannie Millar are absolutely stunning. the maid looks ravishing in her uniform and it would have been great to see more of her. Lovely clothes, sets and photography, beautiful people and nice music make for sexy, subtly exciting viewing.

This made-for-cable soft-core piece is an excuse to show off some attractive women. If you didn't get enough of Jeannie Millar in the diner scene in _Playboy's Freshman Class_ ('98) you can see more of her here. The simulated sex is pretty fake, and there isn't much of a story. 3/10 for the movie and 10/10 for Jeannie. The rest of the cast is pretty nice, too.

I have seen this movie on a small local Tv based in Verona, Italy. The movie started at around quarter past midnight and was over at two am. I had to go to work the next day, but I kept on watching. There's much sex in this movie, quite softly displayed though, and I liked the naivete of the characters who think any moment is good to have sex. The plot is not that interesting, the fact that Gabrielle meets a refined man who teaches her good manners is quite ridiculous, but still the beautiful women being displayed in the movie makes it worth watching, even in the middle of the night. In particular, actress Jeannie Millar -who plays a secondary character- is amazing. I mistook her for Tia Carrere, in fact she's Jeannie, a gorgeous woman that we see naked a couple of times during the movie. The scene when she gets out of a swimming pool entirely naked is memorable. I think this movie has not a particular reason to be praised, possibly excepting its struggle to fix in our memory through the usage of often unjustified, naive nudity.

Far too often, movies like this are poorly acted, mean-spirited and just dull. I was surprised how much I was both turned- on and actually INTERESTED. These actors seemed to actually enjoy making this flick. ( Even the women ) There's a whimsical, lightness of spirit in "Awakening" that is SO rare and refreshing. I actually LIKED these people. Personally, I found the movie quite erotic. This is subjective of course. Obviously the plot is pure "Red Shoe" and ridiculous, but isn't the point?