Roommates

An incredible melodrama that actually works better as a drama than a sex film. This one finds the three leads, Hart as the actress looking for a break in New York, Nichols a model doing the same, and Fox as a New York native sex worker who's trying to change her life who needs the roommates to help make rent. Each puts in a career best performance, the sex is presented many times in a non-erotic way, which helps to push it over the edge when it is presented more erotically. Add in Jaime Gillis in an all-time pervo-creep role and this one stands as one of the best hardcore films I've seen.

This Chuck Vincent-directed drama (with X-rated sex scenes) is one of very few adult features that crossed the street into the mainstream -- at least for a week or two. After playing X-rated venues, it was re-cut and released in mainstream theatres across the country with an "R" rating.

It's easy to see why. It's an engaging girls-about-town drama that boasts convincing performances and a believable series of conflicts which are truthfully resolved by an exciting conclusion.

Samantha Fox, Veronica hart and Kelly Nichols are the three female leads; all had appeared in countless X-rated features prior to this. Hart, now directing quality porn under the name Jane Hamilton, impresses greatly as a budding actress in a loveless relationship; she's natural and very attractive.

Vincent regular Larry Revene photographed the pic while Vincent and regular scripter Rick Marx shared the screenplay.

In the annals of adult cinema, "Roommates" (1982) stands as a somewhat forgettable entry, despite director Chuck Vincent's earnest attempt to blend eroticism and narrative. While the film may hold appeal for aficionados of the genre, it fails to rise above the plethora of similar titles released during the Golden Age of Porn.

Set in New York City, "Roommates" follows the intertwining lives of three young women, each navigating the complexities of love, lust, and self-discovery. The film's premise is intriguing, offering a glimpse into the sexual awakening of its protagonists as they grapple with their desires and insecurities. However, the execution falls short, primarily due to a lackluster script and uninspired performances from its cast.

The film's three leads, played by Veronica Hart, Kelly Nichols, and Samantha Fox, struggle to convey the emotional depth needed to elevate their characters beyond mere vessels for sexual encounters. While all three actresses possess undeniable physical allure, their performances are largely one-dimensional, lacking the nuance and complexity required to engage viewers on a deeper level.

Chuck Vincent's direction, while competent, fails to elevate the material beyond its adult-oriented trappings. Scenes of explicit sexual content, while technically proficient, lack the artistry and sensuality found in the work of contemporaries such as Gerard Damiano or Radley Metzger. The film's pacing suffers as a result, with long stretches of tedious dialogue punctuated by perfunctory sex scenes that feel more obligatory than arousing.

The cinematography, courtesy of Larry Revene, is serviceable but unremarkable, with little to distinguish it from the myriad other adult films of its era. The film's soundtrack, a mix of synthesized disco and soft rock, is similarly uninspired, serving as little more than background noise to the on-screen action.

In terms of its adult content, "Roommates" offers a veritable smorgasbord of sexual acts, ranging from traditional heterosexual couplings to lesbian encounters and even a brief foray into BDSM. While this variety may appeal to viewers seeking a diverse range of erotic experiences, the film's relentless focus on carnal gratification ultimately detracts from its narrative coherence and emotional resonance.

As an artifact of its time, "Roommates" serves as a reminder of the limitations of Golden Age adult cinema, a genre that, despite its aspirations to the contrary, was often more concerned with titillation than storytelling. While the film may hold some historical interest for fans of the era, it fails to deliver a satisfying viewing experience, either as a work of erotica or as a piece of narrative cinema.

While the film's premise and cast hold promise, its execution falls short, resulting in a tepid and unmemorable viewing experience. For those seeking a more satisfying adult cinema experience, it may be best to look elsewhere.

I don't know if I would dare to classify this film as an ordinary cinematographic work with real sex scenes, or as a sensationally written and starred pornographic film, as would happen with a conventional film of a certain level.

Perhaps that is the disappointing factor about Roommates, since the people who went to the premiere to see it were undoubtedly expecting a standard adult work, knowing, of course, that it would be a show in any case interestingly filmed by Chuck Vincent. And what they ultimately brought to the retinas was a spectacular drama with splashes of explicit sex that attract attention, not so much for the usual crudeness of the genre, but for quite the opposite, for showing sex in a very superficial, even romantic, way with short, natural and even dramatic sexual scenes. As if they said: "let's finish this, we must return to the plot line."

And the truth is that no one (and I repeat NO ONE) goes to the movies to see Veronica Hart or Samantha Fox to enjoy their artistic or acting skills. Although they do it very well here. With this I do not want to belittle this work of Vincent. Absolutely not. But there is more sex in some famous mainstream movies than in Chuck Vincent's Roommates. Although it surpasses some in cinematographic quality.

Chuck Vincent is perhaps the first "mainstream" filmmaker to crossover into adult films. When one is able to watch "Roommates" (1981), without having to utilize the ffwd search button, that is the mark of any good adult film. It has above-average acting and storyline, shot entirely on-location in NYC (most romanticized city in TV/film), and fairly arousing sex scenes. This film is on par with any mainstream B-movie. Sidenote: cult fans of "Raw Talent" (1984) will get a kick out of seeing Jerry Butler in what appears to be a precursor to his "Eddie" character. This role seems to have been the basis for his casting in "Raw Talent," right on down to using the same name, "Eddie." Butler once again gives a wacky and unpredictable performance as a struggling actor looking to make the big time.