Raw Talent

Usually, this is a WAY under-rated movie, and that is because it is the kind of movie you will watch for the story and not just the sex. I was floored when I saw it back in the day, and I could not understand why it did not receive the recognition it deserved, but now I think I understand the undercurrent which it churned within the industry was not good. One has the feeling that the film is biographical, and--now that Mr. Butler has a book out by the same name--I guess that is true. Eddie, the main character, and his pal are likable characters with obvious flaws. The women in his life are good and bad, and all are attractive. As in real life, Eddie screws and gets screwed, but in the end I think you will cheer for him. A great movie and it will get you off.

As a NYer who grew up watching adult films from the Big '80s, "Raw Talent" was the seminal film for that decade. With a better than average storyline, Jerry Butler (Bklyn's own) was able to shine. He WAS the James Dean of porn! Graced with chiseled features and natural comedic ability, his performances were always unpredictable and wacky. The accompanying soundtrack was also above par. The subliminal psychadelia scene was straight out of Floyd & Zeppelin. Unfortunately, "Raw Talent" was re-released with major Politically Correct edits. The masturbatory cooked turkey scene, the forced sex scene over a toilet bowl, and all the karate scenes are nowhere to be found. Luckily, I managed to retain a copy during the height of my rental days! ehe If anyone is interested in seeing the uncut, original film, drop me a line.

This is an excellent adult film, and one of Jerry Butler's best.

Due to some scenes that were filmed in the uncut version, The film is now edited with just hardcore sex scenes, I believe the full uncut version to the film can only be found used. It is in three versions by VCA Pictures. A Cable Version, The Hardcore Version with five scenes missing, and the most popular full uncut version that has every scene intact. In my opinion, the film is not the same unless you see the full uncut version.

RAW TALENT, and to a lesser extent its two equally recommended sequels, is a searing indictment of the adult industry circa the mid-1980s by people who knew it well like cinematographer turned director Larry Revene and writer Rick Marx – both frequent collaborators of the late great Chuck Vincent – and producer Joyce Snyder, who had just had a hit with Ron Sullivan's sarcastic PUBLIC AFFAIRS, as the dog eat dog microcosm they clearly considered it. Not unlike every other professional environment then where people are sucked dry of imagination and creativity in order to generate more cash-flow. The film's feral tone tended to alienate a lot of established contemporary carnal critics, which may stand as the best possible evidence that its makers had succeeded in their set-up.

Eddie, indelibly portrayed by the brilliant Jerry Butler who felt so strongly about the material, he chose the film's title for his gossipy autobiography, is a struggling actor making ends meet as a waiter until his friend and co-worker (an engaging performance from stalwart Joey Silvera) fills him in on a sweet, little sideline in the porno field. Coming along more out of curiosity rather than seriously considering a career in this line of work, Eddie has to step in for his malfunctioning buddy at a moment's notice with a busty blonde starlet (Rhonda Jo Petty leaning towards matronly), impressing the female director Carolyn (magnificent Lisa DeLeeuw, who tragically passed away from AIDS in 1993, once again proving her mettle as a sophisticated comedienne) who will become equal parts help and hindrance throughout his subsequent professional life. Landing a part on a popular daytime soap, Eddie soon learns that porn is a dirty secret that never goes away as Carolyn reveals the intimate footage she holds of him to the hypocritical, scandal-hungry masses. The love of a good woman, prostitute Nancy (Cassandra Leigh's career performance), might prove some sort of salvation but the movie's careful not to over-sentimentalize this aspect of the story, preferring to keep both feet firmly planted on the ground. Time and again, our "hero" finds himself drawn back into the sex for sale business, excelling at it against his own volition. This conclusion ranges RAW TALENT amongst other non-starry-eyed adult features like Chuck Vincent's ROOMMATES and Thomas Paine's CORPORATE ASSETS that have the guts to view the sex industry unromantically from the inside out, warts and all, yet thankfully without recourse to chest-beating Mea Culpa or the sickly sanctimonious approach the mainstream frequently adopts in covering same.

And that's not all. It looks and sounds like a "real" film, so… In addition to the vitriolic writing, the acting proves way better than anyone in his right mind will expect from what is after all "just" porno. Those already mentioned aside, plump Taija Rae (unforgettable Lisa Chinaski from Ron Sullivan's TABOO American STYLE) brings warmth to the part of the homely little office worker Eddie plays house with, a good thing he can't help but screw up by inviting Vietnam buddy Ron Jeremy into the house and bedroom. Rather unfortunately,both guys ultimately settle their differences in one of the more ludicrous martial arts displays ever to take place in front of a camera ! Underrated Tish Ambrose, a woman I always felt should have been the next Veronica Hart but whose initial promise – in Revene's own WANDA WHIPS WALL STREET among several prestigious projects – remained unfulfilled (perhaps due to well-publicized drinking problems), also scores highly as the soap actress who rallies to Eddie's defense in one of the film's funniest scenes topped by their freaky coupling, stylistically influenced by the Kelly Nichols/Ron Hudd psychedelic porker from ROOMMATES. Like the story, the sex is filled with hate and nastiness, people preying on each other with just the occasional – and frequently dashed – glimmer of hope through potential romance to set it off. Understandably, this is going to turn some viewers off, but the movie's makers should at least be congratulated for taking such an unpopular stance and following through on their convictions.

The only thing I'd like to add here is that, my friend had a video store on the Upper East Side (Manhattan) in the early-mid 80s, and Joyce Schneider walked in one day (1986?) promoting this film. The story as I've heard it was she told him "you walk down 42nd street these days and what do you see? F-ck films and Fight films...F-ck films and Fight films...so I decided to write a film with both!"...and he bought a copy of the film and we wore it out in the basement. Among the highlights of the film are Jerry Butler's and Ron Jeremy's Kung-Fu-Fighting battle (reminiscent of the Day of the Jackal) and the all-time classic "revenge of the waiter" scene with Joey Silvera and Jerry taking their revenge on a pinched tart in Leo Lindy's in Times Square.

42nd St? F-ck films and Fight films? Yes, it was the "mean streets" of 1980s Times Square, before the Disneyfied, Shrager'd, Giulani'd Times Square took hold. It was a badge of honor to be mugged in Times Square back then, when you'd have to beg for a token (!) from the Times Square Police Station (now an Army recruiting outpost) when your wallet got lifted in the balcony during a Bruce Lee triple-feature.

Anyway, back to the film...Lisa DeLeeuw turns in a great performance as a jaded porn director trying to cash in on a young hunk ("that's how I like them...young, dumb and hung!") while putting in a lesbian scene and then getting sodomized by her now-assertive "protege". Taija Rae is the (chubby) sweet girl next door (who will do double(you-know-what)), while Joey, Gerry, and Ron raise hell and remind you of why the porn industry is not what it's cracked up to be.

Enjoy this film...it's a slice of NY and porn from the '80s.