Night Play

This Toni English sleeper reminded me of the type of modestly scaled Kammerspiel-type adult films the late great Anthony Spinelli used to make (usually under the alias Wes Brown) in the mid-70s and resorted back to in his shot-on-video twilight years: single location, limited cast, mucho psychological turmoil. As with those fine movies, this is insightfully written, well-acted (especially by luscious Lauren, St.Croix and Byron, the latter actually bothering to turn in an honest to goodness acting performance this time) and erotically intense.

Dyanna and Steve are a jaded Hollywood couple playing kinky sex games with only too easily corrupted innocents. The plot revolves around their hired stud Tom's conscience problems as he struggles to regain his integrity and get away from the dastardly duo, his affection for Dyanna being the one thing still keeping him there. To reveal more would spoil a well-handled storyline with several surprises in store. Production's fine, especially considering this was never intended to be one of Vivid's flagship titles. DVD transfer is generally sharp (though shot on film) with particularly impressive sound quality and the expected truckload of Vivid extras. Well worth adding to anyone's permanent collection, especially if you're a Dyanna Lauren fan as this is one of the lady's most accomplished performances, a personal third choice following BAD WIVES and THE ZONE.