Hardcore: A Poke Into the Adult Film Orifice

...but I would say that, because I am in it! ;-)

Imagine "The Office", but with the David Brent character as the most hapless but likable filmmaker imaginable: He assembles a motley crew of people to star in and produce his first feature film, an adult film called "Assanova"- so he can raise funds for his first "real" feature. He takes time out from pushing trolleys at the local supermarket, finds his leading lady working at the library and deals with his dodgy financiers, Tourette-suffering brother and overexcited mum. "Thom Cruz", a dustman becomes the leading man- he never takes showers or his snakeskin boots off! Snakeskin isn't the only problem "Jack Innov" encounters whilst shooting his masterpiece, he also has to solve problems regarding his permanently naked DOP, the slight substance-abuse issue of his production assistant, of who has given who the "clap", and bodily injury to his stars. Things he doesn't worry about too much is the seriously dodgy dialogue, ironing, pubic grooming and the nosy questions by Linda Boreman, the documentary-maker who follows his progress. You gotta see it to believe it! "Speed!" -"Where!?"

I'll come straight out and say I'm in it too. Not a surprise as it's not got distribution yet to have been seen by many outsiders. I really enjoyed the film and I'm generally the worst critic of anything, especially stuff I'm in. This is that rare very low budget production that's actually worth watching and although it's not perfect it is enjoyable and funny. The humour is rude but it doesn't slip over the porn line and it's strength is in the great characterisation particularly of the lead Jack Innov and characters like Bunty Shades and Thom Cruz. If your watching this for titillation you will probably be disappointed, there's some but not a lot. If you're watching this for a laugh then you'll get one.

This is one of those rare examples of very low budget film-making made on peanuts and passion that has the rare quality of seeming 'not so low budget' after all. The filmmakers were aware of their little means and have used that stand point to their advantage by shooting this in a documentary style with many single takes for scenes and some nifty (watchable in this case) hand held camera work - shot on 1080i High Def. It's also incredibly funny and on repeat viewings new gags are picked up on - a lot of the writing is very subtle, but when digested achingly laughable in an almost cringe worthy way that is intentional. Nobody puts in a bad performance and there are many actors and locations used, once again making it seem like a much higher budgeted picture than I know it actually was. Even the 'real' writer and director takes a back seat as he's un-credited, not that there's any shame here but the film has a fictional female director and so she, Linda Boreman is credited. I've seen this at a few public screenings and it's a winner every time.