Someone Else

An unsung gem among forgotten Adult videos, "Someone Else" amazed me with the sincerity, craftsmanship and overall quality of a romantic drama that plays just as well as many a mainstream movie in its genre. I even found myself wondering how the same script (minus explicit sex of course) would have played 30 years ago with stars like Kevin Costner, Richard Gere and Diane Lane in the lead roles (my choice of iconic talent with career longevity).

Instead, we have porn stars Mike Horner, Randy West and Ashlyn Gere, all of whom did crossover occasionally and effectively into regular movie assignments. Gere and West have been together for 10 years but opening scene, in which a deliciously sweaty Ashlyn is having sex with Randy, has her pulling away from him mid-sex, announcing she's off to visit a friend Janet. Clearly their relationship is on the rocks, especially since Gere is tired of waiting so long for him to pop the question. She's the breadwinner as a successful novelist, while Randy is an unsuccessful comedian. Fortunately for the viewer, Randy's charming comic relief adds much to the movie.

Opening credits follow this intro scene, and he's driving to the beach to stay at pal Marty's beach house, while she's off in her Corvette convertible heading for Janet's. Their parallel adventures comprise the rest of the movie, prior to an inevitable (and very nicely staged) reunion to end the show.

Mark Weiss's screenplay, abetted by subtle acting performances, drives home a main theme contrasting true love with casual sex, in a way few bona fide Real Movies have accomplished. West finds a beauty sunbathing on the beach, and is instantly seduced by her. Bianca Trump is most alluring, and the way she gives him the cold shoulder ("I've got a date" is her excuse for abruptly leaving) after sex is powerful.

Similarly, after Gere's corvette breaks down, she's befriended by Mike Horner as a ranch owner and Good Samaritan who is terrific in fashioning a real Costner style low-key characterization. Busy with ranch activities, he finds time to grope Gere, exchange double entendres, and eventually bed her down by the campfire one night. He then drops her like a hot potato, his selfishness strongly building viewer sympathy for Ashlyn.

This pattern continues with Bianca later having lesbian sex with Mona Lisa (a talented performer who is natural here -very soon morphing into a busty sex symbol via implants), more to torment voyeur West who's not allowed to join in, and the movie climaxes in an extraordinary phone sex climax. This strong scene has Gere at a pay phone in the middle of nowhere talking to West in a possible reconciliation, but she's being sexually serviced by hitchhiking stud Jesse Eastern (they haven't even introduced themselves -he was just waiting to use the phone) as West masturbates back home on the other end of the line.

This is highly recommended, high quality Adult Cinema, well worth rediscovery. My surprise after watching the feature was to look up its creators, Michael Craig and Mark Weiss, latter who died soon after this was shot in 1992. I've seen (and reviewed) many of their other movies which were quite poor, even badly made. Go figure.

Another oddity: the end credits give character names for all cast members but incorrect ones for West and Gere: he actually plays Geoff and she plays Blaire, clearly stated in the dialogue we hear. But at the end he's listed as Doug and she's Kathleen, an inexplicable error.

The girls in this movie are exciting to watch, especially the leading actress. She has several encounters, particularly the one with a country boy, that are watchable and erotic. She is seductive, both in and out of her panties, bra, jeans and tied top.

Not enough really close up shots of intercourse or oral sex action

A lesbian scene near the end is erotic as well, especially as they tease the leading actor, but don't allow him to join in. His question to the sexy ladies..."Is it as tasty as it looks?" captures his desire.