The Awakening of Gabriella

What I guess passes for a romance in the world of 90's softcore movies - a roaring trade back thirty years or so now - "The Awakening of Gabriella" actually has a pay-off, waiting for the two main characters to give in to desire at the end of the movie rather than almost immediately.

Susan Featherly in the title role is beautiful and enchanting. All her scenes were fantastic, but her chemistry with Mark Ritter's Stephen was impressive.

No award winner, obviously, but as far as this genre goes, "The Awakening of Gabriella" is good.

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?

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.

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.

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".