Web of Seduction

In addition to being a sly post-Feminist meditation on the theme of empowerment via self-exploitation and violence, Web of Seduction is a timely liberal commentary on the US's recent/current state of affairs. Several allusions to the `theft' of the 2000 election (e.g. manipulating state statutes to bypass the normal unfolding of legal events; the political philosophy of `by any means necessary'; the anxiety of inherited position) make this biting satire a sure bet for any armchair politicians who like taking a hard look at the GOP along with a little TnA. Director Blain Brown once again pays homage to Hitchcock with his expert handling of the genre convention of voyeurism (more deeply explored in his 1997 debut I'm Watching You), perhaps as an acknowledgment of our own position as spectators rather than participants in the field of American politics. Gifted with an intuitive grasp of mis-en-scene (notice redhead Lauren Hays's deliberately false `tan'), Brown casts an unflinching spotlight on the corruption of the so-called `California lifestyle' where back room conspiracies are the norm, even in the most intimate of relationships everyone is `acting', and above all else, money reigns supreme. In a way, eerily prescient of the 2003 CA gubernatorial election, this film is equally accessible to political neophyte and expert alike.

I've seen lots of these low budget made for cable TV movies. This one stands out as better than most. First of all the plot twist (which of course I won't reveal) came as a real surprise. Secondly, the acting is better than most films of this type. Not Academy Award material, but better than usual.

Overall, it is tightly directed and you feel like every scene as a purpose, a reason for being there -- a sign of good writing and directing and also not typical of this genre. Sure, this one has the erotic content you expect but it's integral to the plot.

For this genre -- way above average.

An above-average soft core film which stars attractive actors and actresses who spend most of the time having sex with each other, much of the time they actually do seem to enjoy what they are doing. If you are looking for a good soft core film, this is recommended. If you're looking for Shakespeare, pass on this one.

Do these guys take have a computer kick out these same plots over and over again, only the names, places, and faces are changed to prevent complete boredom. Hubby is handsome and rich, but too busy to pay attention to his gorgeous wife. A situation she constantly tries to remedy. Her friend/neighbor has the same problem so they become interested in each others hubbies--the grass is always greener. Throw in a sexy scheming made who has designs on everybody and you get a lot of stripping and dipping and a salad bowl of an unintelligible plot.

The quality of bodies is pretty high here, although not much in the way of "contact", even simulated is shown. Good late night erotica if Jay Leno can't put you to sleep.

The acting was quite good for a movie of this sort, you actually get the feeling you are watching some decent actors and actresses and not some porn stars. Writing also was not that bad. While a plot evolving around 'killing a man by giving him some good sex' may seem thin, it is well worked out and there is even some room for character development. The end was a bit rough, like all the sudden the money had run out. But apart from the anti-climax I really can't say the film is bad in any way.

There are however censored versions out, that cut all the naked and sex scenes and make it a very 'housewomen' like TV-thriller. while this proves much of the women friendliness of the film, it's a bit overambitious for this one however. Plot and acting is indeed decent for what it was made for, but it is not that I would pay 5 bucks while there are many other direct to TV thrillers that are just better out there in the budget boxes. So make sure you get the unrated version.

On fun note: the idea of women in the hot California keeping black stockings in their drawer, just to wear whenever they want kinky sex.