À fleur de peau

This film doesn't take itself too seriously, and neither should you. Zalman King's direction is ultra-stylish and Fenn and Tyson make an attractive couple (the film will appeal to both sexes). It still plays like an extended TV commercial with soft-core overtones, but at least it almost constantly keeps its tongue in its cheek, which turns out to be a big plus. Clever ending, too. (**1/2)

Zalman King's Two Moon Junction, probably isn't as good as his 9 1/2 Weeks, but the film does have quite a few love scenes that we wouldn't see in today's films. Sherilyn Fenn stars as April who doesn't seem to like her new fiance Chad (Martin Hewett). In an attempt to find what see wants, she goes to a local carnival and falls for muscle bound carnival worker Perry (Richard Tyson) and have the usual affair. The all star cast includes Academy Award winners, Louise Fletcher (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) and Burl Ives (The Big Country), other well known cast members include Herve Villichaize (TV's Fantasy Island), Milla Jovovich (The Fifth Element), Millie Perkins (Diary of Anne Frank), Juanita Moore (Academy Award nominee for Imitation of Life) and Kristy McNicole (TV's Empty Nest). Not bad, but could have been a little better for a sex film.

4 Stars is too low for this surprisingly strong film. Yes, it's a Zalman King movie, but it was among his first and unlike probably everything else he did since, was a very good movie. It has a good, tight story and some very strong performances from its leads, especially Richard Tyson (who really should have become a big star but just never quite did for some reason).

I still believe that it is among the sexiest movies ever made, and that is not possible if you do not care about the characters or are drawn into their passion. Most movies of this type fail to engage the viewer in the story and so the passion and sexuality suffer, but that is not the case here. One doesn't need to watch this movie as an excuse for some cheap titillation, it also delivers as an enjoyable film as well.

Okay, let's take this movie for what it is -- a bodice ripper romance novel put on the screen for you to enjoy. It's hardly anything more than that, but does it have to be? The film is set in the "deep south", but the faulty accents and in-and-around LA locations sometimes give it away. It's a highly stylized exercise in melodramatic erotica. There's no mystery here -- even the ending can be seen coming a mile away! Basically the plot is a Southern Belle sows her wild oats before her wedding, and finds herself torn between sensuality and stability. She meets a carny who offers her one last hot fling before she marries her boring college sweetheart. Which one will she chose?

What's to like? Sherilyn Fenn is radiant as April, and overcomes most all of the bad dialogue. She's a great actress! Kristy McNichol steals the few scenes she is in with a flair for comedy and easy earthy sensuality! Why is she not doing more? Richard Tyson plays a rough and tumble drifter carny who gets to pout and preen as a male "himbo" who is justly portrayed as good at one thing. The plot is silly, and you even get an over-the-top Louise Fletcher appearing as the matriarch who knows all too well that "lust fades, but financial security is worth everything!"

I love this movie though. It is charming in its own way, and sensual without being too graphic. Nothing is subtle, but it pays off as one of the most enjoyable Zalman King outings ever! Notice the almost "ALL WHITE" costumes! These people spend a fortune on bleach. Notice the hottest scene seems to be when Sherilyn Fenn and Kristy McNichol dance together on a deserted jukejoint floor. Notice the great soundtrack! Let yourself go, and enjoy an old-fashioned pot boiler romance filmed and acted better than it ever had a right to be.

I loved this movie! In fact I enjoyed it so much that I didn't want it to end. Richard Tyson was beyond hot and Sherilyn Fenn was beautiful. Both were sexy, sensual and desirable and played their part perfectly. I loved the chemistry between these two characters and I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline so much so I wished it was longer. I found each character brought a little something to the story, but not enough to detract from the central focus of the plot. The soundtrack I found to be very haunting and although I knew it was pure instrumental when I bought it, I still wish there were the other few songs that weren't included from the movie. I would love for there to be a special edition DVD of the movie, perhaps with extra footage of deleted scenes and other bonus features. The ending was great, but what would have really made it better was if April didn't marry Chad, (which I assume is what she did due to the wedding ring that we saw on her finger at the end of the movie in the shower scene) and instead ran of to be with Perry. At least that's what I would have done!