Satisfactions

In my survey of film are some porn films. A few from the 70's; anything that mixes porn and psychedelics; recent things with cinematic aspirations including old films by Brass, Sarno. Franco.

And anything by Gary Graver. That's because he worked closely with Orson Wells during what is his most important and inaccessible period. I've seen some overlap, even in the most grotesquely banal porn of Gravers'. So I keep watching.

This was done under one of his pseudonyms. He was still working with Wells but the heavy lifting on "Wind" and "fake" was done.

Gravers in this case seems to have just been a cog in an ordinary machine. No clever Shakespeare in this one. No odd camera angles that circumnavigate incidental objects. No exploitation of space, though there are two candidate nice houses here.

No, its just mechanical porn like hundreds of others that year.

Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.

"Satisfactions," a 1983 adult film directed by Gary Graver, delivers a heaping helping of vintage erotica that, while not entirely satisfying, still manages to arouse and amuse. With a simple premise, a smorgasbord of steamy scenes, and a cast of familiar faces, it's a journey into the golden age of porn that has its moments, even if it doesn't quite reach orgasmic heights.

The film opens with a threesome, setting the tone for the rest of the movie. Rhonda Jo Petty, a blonde bombshell, takes on three construction workers, including Danny Weirdman, Herschel Savage, and the legendary Ron Jeremy. This scene is an intense and energetic display, with Rhonda enthusiastically working on all three cocks, her mouth and body a blur of pleasure, her moans drowned out by the eager grunts of her male co-stars. It's a frenzied and chaotic scene, with bodies intertwining and thrusting amidst the construction site's raw, industrial setting.

However, not all scenes land with the same impact. Some feel rushed and lack the buildup that can make erotic tension so delicious. The film also suffers from dated production values and some less-than-stellar acting performances, which can pull viewers out of the moment. The audio, in particular, is often uneven, with music and sound effects sometimes overwhelming the natural sounds of passion.

In terms of aesthetics, "Satisfactions" has a grainy, nostalgic look that is both a product of its time and a choice that adds to the film's intimate, voyeuristic feel. The use of natural lighting and handheld cameras gives the film a sense of realism, as if we're spying on these intimate moments through a window.

Overall, "Satisfactions" is a mixed bag. While it delivers on the explicit content front, with some scenes that are sure to arouse, it falls short in terms of storytelling and technical prowess. It's a time capsule of an era when porn was transitioning from film to video, and as such, it has a certain charm. However, with its uneven pacing and variable scene quality, it doesn't quite satisfy on a deeper level.

For fans of vintage adult films, "Satisfactions" will undoubtedly have its appeal, offering a glimpse into the early '80s world of erotic cinema. But for those seeking a more polished or narrative-driven experience, this particular journey into the past may leave you wanting more.

Porn and B film director Robert McCullum was apparently a pen name for Gary Graver, who once worked as an assistant for Orson Welles in his older less prosperous years. Some like me are not quite convinced they were the same person or whether he was an uncredited photography director for McCullum. His artistic touches are evident here in a long tracking shot where the husband, president of a construction company, leaves his wife(Honey Wilder) for a business trip and rides on an outdoor elevator or lift. The sex scenes are even more exciting while he cuts them to the best parts. Rhonda Jo Petty reaches a huge climax and then we cut to a "Men Working" sign outside the construction site. The more famous of porn are well displayed here in group scenes, John Leslie, Eric Edwards, Hershel Savage, and Robert Kerman (aka Richard Bolla).

While her husband is away on business, Elain Stone (Honey Wilder) attempts to fire Margo and Carl ( Carmel and John Leslie,respectively) her perverted live-in help, who end up seducing her into a three-way within minutes. While step-daughter, Connie (Adult film mainstay and Farrah Fawcett look-a-like, Rhonda Jo Petty), goes out looking for lust. Oh who am I kidding? This one doesn't have a plot to summarize, but the sex scenes are pretty hot and look for a young leaner Ron Jeremy, before he became a fatter caricature of himself. Plus Miss Petty is always hot.

My Grade: B