Delta de Vênus

Some of the plot elements of this film were vaguely familiar to me, and I don't know if it is from reading "Delta of Venus" lo, those many years ago, or maybe from "Henry and June" the film about Nin and Henry Miller, from 10 years ago or so. Anyway, this is an exceptional film for its genre, with good acting, direction, and pretty decent other assorted production values. I had never seen or heard of Audie England, and her beauty just floored me. Wow! Anyway, if you can at all tolerate soft-core erotica, this film is recommended. Grade: B+

This film has everything...beautiful lovemaking, a redhead, and the opium dens of Paris.

It's a slow moving plot that's intended to exhibit a series of different fantasy scenarios lived out by the main character, as she writes them down into a private collection for an anonymous client, with some good plot twisting towards the end.

The cinematography, costuming and makeup are exquisite, making this film pure eye candy. Enjoy.

Anais Nin's infamous book is brought to the screen by King, the man who put the "soft" in soft-porn. It is full of attractive actors and beautiful cinematography, much like a shampoo commercial. The leads (England and Mandylor) try hard to convey the smoldering lust that lies behind their supposedly passionate but rather vacuous stares but then they open their mouths and utter either sweet nothings or something unbelievably pretentious and it just ruins everything. There is a fair amount of nudity and simulated sex (although the NC-17 rating is puzzling) but the frenetic editing destroys the mood just as things start to get interesting. Read the book instead.

I don't think you can pack more into a hour and a half movie, without it exploding. This film has politics, romance, sexual awakening, war, art, anti-semitism and lots of sexy gorgeous nude woman (especially, if you like red heads) in a wonderfully photographed "epic". The only thing wrong was that Audie England should have kept her mouth shut. Her face and body are sheer cinematic poetry, but she just did not seem to be able to say any words with any conviction.

If you prefer your sex during the rise of fascism in a romance country, this film is a must have! Of course, you must see the un-rated version. The sex does really contribute to the plot.

P.S. Don't waste your time on Titanic! This movie is light-years ahead of it.

Okay, folks, let's take a test. what do you expect when you rent a movie with the name "Zalman King" on the box? Anywhere on the box? You expect soft-core porn with pretentions of greatness and lensed in a slow-moving style, color-saturated, and all with Playboy-flair. This one delivers. Not only is it packed with wall to wall sex, but the lead actress, Audie England, is a good actress in serious need of better material. The setting is inspired and if you go in not expecting too much, you'll get your fill.