Jealousy (Wicked Pictures, '97)

• OVERALL: * * * 1/2
• SEX: * * *
• ACTING: * * *
• SCRIPT: * * *
• J.O.P.: * * * *
• FAST-FORWARDING: * * * 1/2
• EDITING: * * * 1/2 (although the first scene gets * * for reasons detailed below)

Rating is on a scale of 1-5. 1 being poor, 3 being average, and 5 being exceptional. For an explanation of the review criteria, click here

Starring: Melissa Hill, Tricia Devereaux, Jessica Darlin, Ember Haze, Katie Gold, Randi Rage, Ian Daniels, Tom Byron, Steve Hatcher, Jonathan Morgan.
Directed by: Nic Cramer

I have been noticing somewhat of a trend in porn lately that I am extremely happy about. There appears to be a movement away from the typical to the atypical. From the stock blonde bombshell with huge, fake breasts and blue eyes (not that there is anything wrong with that, mind you) to women with a much more "real" appearance. "Accessible" would be the word I am looking for, they don't look like porn goddesses, but rather like a genuinely attractive woman you might pass on the street that makes your heart skip a beat. I'll be honest, it is hard to get much cuter than Jenna Jameson, but it seems there are a number of people trying to outdo the current porn princess by attempting to beat her at her own game. A tough task, to say the least... she is "Jenna Jameson" for a reason, you know.

Jealousy features 6 women. 5 of which stray completey off the mark from the aforementioned mold.The 6th, Jessica Darlin, does maintain her own identity in the sea of blonde, but just squeaks by. A little too close to really include her. Each of the other women have a look and persona that is undeniably her own, and it is a glorious thing to see!

The film begins with Randi Rage and Jonathan Morgan going at it on a tennis court. Randi Rage (at left) is a goregous brunette with a mischevous smile that could make a priest buckle at the knees. Granted, she does have the aforementioned implants, but they are exremely well done and the rest of her body can only result from lots of hard work and a gene pool of gold. Her look is also very real and down-to-earth. In part, this can be chalked up to the direction and minimal makeup. The writing in the scene itself, for that matter. Randi is clad in a somewhat revealing tennis outfit that you might actually see someone wearing on the court (not that I hang around Country Clubs, but I have seen Caddy Shack and Bachelor Party enough times to get the gist of the places). The sex in this scene is absolutely wonferful. Phenomenal. It would go down in the annals of porn greatness if not for a major directing flaw. The scene is somewhat of a "dream sequence" and, thus, the entire thing is shot in slow motion. Although I understand the practical reasons, as it ties into the story, when the storyline disrupts the sex which, let's be honest, is the REAL reason we watch porn, it is time to relax on the Franics Ford Coppola stuff and just let the camera(s) run. In other ways, I am quite happy with director Nic Cramer's style as he does not hold shots for too long or overdo the "insertion" angle where all you see for 30 second straight is the genetalia of the individuals involved, but his mauling of this otherwise wonderfully shot and performed scene is almost unforgiveable. ALMOST.

Tom Byron and Katie Gold partake in a disappointingly by-the-book scene that is hardly worth mentioning. I have enjoyed the work of both in other films (Katie appeared in Models, Nude World Order and Special Delivery, giving a much more impressive performance in all three), but in Jealousy it is uninspired and unexciting. Katie is another star that really has a very "real" persona. Cute, young (20 but can easily look 17 when she tries), with a good body. Natural breasts that are small, but very nice. Piston is wild about Katie and I can understand why, although only after having seen her in films other than this...

Jessica Darlin keeps Jonathan Morgan and Ian Daniels occupied for a spell, but doesn't particularly seem to be enthralled to be there. I find that to be the quickest scene-killer. When the actors don't seem to be genuinely enjoying the sex. I would rather watch an unattractive woman fuck like a demon and love it than a slammin' woman that is just going through the motions. I think that is what makes stars like Ashlyn Gere and Jeanna Fine the best at what they do. They are not only very easy to look at (without fitting the standard look), they both seem to genuinely LOVE their work!

Melissa Hill (at right) is excellent in the film, although I do not feel she is really given the chance to shine in the script. She does an impressive lesbian scene with Ember Haze that is one of the better girl-girl scenes I have seen recently. She also does girl-girl with Tricia Devereaux (who I give kudos for her atypical appearance, but was not impressed with her performance) that turns into a threesome with Steve Hatcher joining the two. Melissa's hetero sex in this scene is painfully minimal... you really want to see more. Steve Hatcher gives a sub-par performance that adds to the dullness of the scene, but Melissa looks gorgeous and works as best she can. I'd love to see her with some more considerable talent to work with, as I would wager she'd tear it up!

Melissa Hill and Randi Rage really pull this one out of the fire. Not that the other scenes are awful, they are just mediocre. Cramer does a good job directing, but I think overdoes it a bit to the point where the sex becomes secondary to the direction. Odd how porn videos are completely opposite mainstream films. The aspects of Jealousy that cause it to almost fail are the same that a film like the infamous Showgirls needed, but did not have, in order to succeed. - Al Kikuras

For ordering info, visit the Wicked Pictures web site

Review Key:

Reviewed on a scale of 1-5 stars. OVERALL, SCRIPT, EDITING - self explanatory. SEX - the amount and quality of. ACTING - can be actually good, or good in a bad way, in the sense that it is so bad it is entertaining. J.O.P. - Jerk-Off Potential. FAST-FORWARDING - the urge to hit that FF button, be it during dialog, rehashed sex-scenes, whatever. The more stars, the less fast forwarding. EDITING - somewhat related to fast forwarding. Do they show a ball shot for too long? The same angle for an eternity?