Chantal

Do not miss Tony Marsiglia's stunning remake which features an utterly superb central performance from Misty Mundae as the innocent, wide-eyed titular character who dreams of becoming a movie star. However, she soon finds that far from being laced with tinsel, Hollywood is loaded with manipulative predators all too eager to lend a helping hand.

In some ways, this is Marsiglia's most straightforward film in terms of storytelling. There's none of the confusing narrative that characterized his previous release, Sinful, or the more dreamlike sequences in the excellent Lust for Dracula (Director's Cut). However, there are one or two moments of weirdness. For example, having been turned away from her first port of call, Chantal decides to lower her sights and enters the bowels of a decrepit hotel presided over by the creepy Pablo (Tony Marsiglia). On finding that she doesn't have enough money for a room even in this hell-hole, Pablo offers her a deal: he'll keep her suitcase and belongings with him, but he'll allow her to take two items with her. "Not the pink ones," he rasps excitedly like an obscene phone caller in imminent danger of a heart attack.

There are fine performances from the supporting cast. Darian Caine as an aggressive lesbian photographer gives perhaps her best performance to date with Marsiglia favorite, Andrea Davis, as her co-defiler. They subject the witless Chantal to their forceful attentions in a powerful scene that is harrowing to watch. Julian Wells also turns in a fine performance. Here, she plays an actress wannabe who's already been put through the wringer and is now reduced to turning tricks on the street.

Also present on the DVD are a behind the scenes featurette and an interesting audio commentary from Marsiglia and producer, Michael Raso. However, the icing on the cake is a fascinating, separate audio commentary from Tony Marsiglia and Misty Mundae. Aside from the business of 'Chantal', Misty speaks about her decision to stop making softcore films. She admits with refreshing honesty that since making Masters of Horror: Lucky McKee - Sick Girl, offers of acting work that she's been willing to undertake have not been numerous.

'Chantal', for me is a ten star film, but the extra features give this package a twenty star rating. Misty Mundae fans should consider it a must-have.

As an actor in the film, l did it for fun, not to win an award for acting. Also the director was a friend, which was another fun reason I did it.

Like the commenter above, I have a degree in Theatre which they don't give unless you can do the work. Plus, not to forget to mention, I am also friends with the commenter and had fun working with him.

The budget on this film was less than what most people earn yearly, and as a result you're lucky to get a movie as well done as this one was on it's budget.

Judge it for what it was done for, not on what other films are done for.

Besides, as previously mentioned, I had fun working on it.

The film starts so much like Candy Goes to Hollywood I wonder if at least the opening scenes were an homage. But this is not an especially sexy film. Sure there is plenty of nudity. And Misty Mundae is something very special indeed. She has a natural beauty and innocence to her that makes me homesick for the old days. Nowadays most times you see a female heroine, particularly in an adult film, she seems like has had sex with millions of men, her body is covered with tattoos and she talks like a gangster. Maybe I'm old fashioned but I like actresses who look and act like Misty Mundae (in this movie at least).

I don't know what the story is with the hotel clerk. He talks like he has emphysema. I guess he is supposed to sound scary but I imagine it was hard for anyone to keep a straight face while filming his scenes.

Again this is not at all like Candy Goes to Hollywood. I wish it was. The story of the ingenue who is taken advantage of and corrupted is not politically correct nor does it instill good morals in a person, but it is sexy, or at least it is to a gen xer. I think twenty-first century people are no longer interested in such things. No instead of a sexy tale of some airhead getting fooled into doing sexy things this is more a tale of a foolish girl's descent into degradation and madness. It is not fun.

Mind you like I said Misty is a lovely girl and I will certainly seek out some of her other films. Maybe she has made some films that are a little more cheerful and fun.

I liked thoa one and as always Erin Brown was good ,pretty good indie flick.

Typical girl next door comes to Hollywood to be a star. I have a soft spot for these types of movie.

There is always something that set them apart from one another. You have the impression, a little tweak here and there, this movie could be so much better. The movie attempt to show the gritty, seamy and hedonistic side of the Hollywood falls short. The plot and pacing drags. The bright spot: I did find myself caring about the lead actress Misty Mundae/Erin Brown. To watch her progress as an actress from soft core to B movie is fascinating. I believe is the principle cause for the restraint in the movie. A bigger budget and the commitment to being more gritty; a much better picture. A Misty Mundae fan? You might find it interesting.