PASSION IN VENICE is representative of the relatively big budgets afforded many European porn films (shot in 35mm yet) in the mid-'90s (a coming attraction attached for an equally lavish picture THE PALACE (OF PLEASURE) is indicative of the trend). Name American talent was flown to Europe, and the results remain satisfying in today's Video culture.
IMDb reviews are meant to allow self-expression, and to enlighten fellow users of the site. A Kentucky-based prolific abuser of the privilege (he currently stands at #2 in most reviews posted on IMDb) is the only one to comment on this film, with a moronic one-line synopsis that merely proves he doesn't watch the films he purports to consume, in this case his mindless quest to prove he can sit through any and all features directed by (or even mis-attributed by him) to the late Joe D'Amato.
I will actually address the film's content -what a novel idea for a reviewer! Cameron Grant is a lesser-known but much admired (see IMDb comments by knowledgeable fans of his other movies) '90s pornographer who ventured to Venice to film this romantic drama, aided by local director Joe D'Amato. Grant is the d.p., rather than Joe, indicating authorship of the picture belongs mainly to him.
Two strong-willed female characters head the cast, with an excellent contrast (skin tones) between Juli Ashton as the ambitious but timid American abroad, and Anita Blond as her strong-willed, beautiful boss. Despite her moniker, Blond has black hair, and this is the finest acting role I've ever seen her in -usually she is an effective all-sex performer. Her English dialog delivery is also effective, despite the thick accent.
They're in Venice to secure an important contract, bidding against an unscrupulous German industrialist Hans Beckman. The guy to sign on the dotted line is financier Eric Lombard (porn stalwart Valentino), whose chief henchman Trent is played by Sean Michaels, cast to provide some mixed-combo action for the fans.
The intrigue takes a backseat to lovemaking (natch), but the film is styled in romantic terms, with beautiful location lensing by Grant -often in a touristy travelogue vein, but also including elaborate sex scenes staged out of doors. Lombard's palatial mansion is also a sumptuous backdrop for sex, including an impromptu "sex show" starring a beautiful blonde stripper, getting the d.p. treatment from Michaels and a white boy.
There's a care here to the detailing, costumes, lighting and the like, that's missing from most porn. Film's major defect is that once the sex blows over, the final reel has a very hurried and unsatisfying sort of resolution to the storyline which I found both confusing and incomplete. Basically, Mark Davis as the romantic lead pops up as he did at the outset of the film, to recite all sorts of plot details that make little sense.
Juli, familiar from her long stint as a Playboy Channel TV hostess, is beautiful and quite sympathetic as the lead damsel, and Blond is a revelation, proving she was worthy of better roles.
I'm going to try and catch Grant's handful of other titles, on the basis of this minor but effective entry in his filmography. It's unfortunate that ambitious, well-mounted porn was more or less driven out of the marketplace by cheap-jack gonzo junk in recent years (other than the occasional pretentious & overblown entry like PIRATES).
