Marissa

In this latest opus from prolific director Paul Thomas, Cassidey plays the title character MARISSA. Now then, does anything more need to be mentioned in recommending this terrific release? For her legion of fans, Cassidey's starring appearance alone makes the DVD worth getting. This lovely brunette is one of the most striking and charismatic pretty young things to come into the adult industry since starlets like Chasey Lain, Roxanne Blaze, Nikki Dial, or whoever else ever turns you on. Admittedly, I haven't been too overly impressed by her past Vivid DVD titles (I enjoyed her work as Bobbie in LEWD CONDUCT #6 and SHANE'S WORLD #21 far more than her weaker appearances in DIARY OF DESIRE), but MARISSA is an outstanding exception, and really shows her at her sexiest.

The elegant box cover spotlights a sophisticated shot of Cassidey seductively smoking a cigarette, while the title insignia and background silhouettes give no doubt as to the movie's musical theme. But despite the subtitle reading, "THE BIRTH OF JAZZ - THE DEATH OF INNOCENCE" the music takes a back seat to the soap operatic storyline, not to mention the simply scorching hot sex. Putting the musical performances in the background is actually a good thing, because lead actor John Decker (who plays jazzman Alan Ribbot) isn't as proficient at air-playing a saxophone as he is delivering stud services. The instrumental overdubbing is obvious, and jazz aficionados will be probably get a laugh or two when they hear the film's soundtrack..."Birth Of The Cool, Part 2" it's not. But the movie is well-made, and the hardcore is superbly directed (on par with what Paul Thomas had set-up in BAD WIVES, BORDERLINE, BOBBY SOX and so many others).

The movie begins with cute and sexy April Flowers engaging in a rooftop encounter with Mr. Decker, which is spontaneous and exciting in its execution. Ms. Flowers knows how to moan and coo without overacting, and her playfulness here convinces viewers of just how innately carnal she is. Rapid, hands-free deep throating, as well as bumping and grinding cockriding, are all part of the action and kick off this movie to a stunning beginning. The plot then takes over as we learn of Decker's career as a faded jazz player, who is sought after by Marissa, a longtime fan who want to help revive his career at her New York nightclub. While on stage, Decker adopts a look reminiscent of longtime Prince saxophonist Eric Leeds, who may be familiar to those who have purchased those now-rare Madhouse albums from the early eighties. In any event, Mr. Decker's attempts at playing that wacky sax may not be all that convincing, but again, it's the sex that matters and the viewers are probably more interested in other instruments being played (like the skin flute, for instance). When he stays at Cassidey's place for the night, she and her boyfriend have some mad sex which begins with her hanging from the ceiling as he eats her out vigorously. The fellatio and intercourse scenes are some of the best work Cassidey has ever done since becoming a Vivid Girl, and the cum facial is a perfect way to end their memorable scene.

Inevitably, Marissa and the jazz player soon develop a personal and business relationship, which is complicated by his involvement with a rap record label and of course, wife Rose, played by hardbodied beauty Sydnee Steele at home. Speaking of whom, Ms. Steele participates in two straight scenes, first with Mr. Decker and then with Lexington Steele. This raven-haired sexpot is one of the best things to come to porn in awhile, and her appearances here are just as exciting as her scenes from EVE'S GIFT, one of her best films. A notable moment occurs when she invites Decker to "fuck my face!" which he does so eagerly as she lies on her stomach. Later, Lexington gets to fuck her while supporting her in mid-air, and Ms. Steele is sent into a climactic nirvana. You'll probably end up watching her scenes twice over before continuing with the rest of the film.

Naturally, with a beauty like Sydnee at home, and a gorgeous creature like Cassidey on the side, any man would be torn on what to do with his private life (I wish I had such conflicts). Sydnee warns that "love fades," but that doesn't stop him from indulging in both girls. The ever-accommodating Cassidey even allows him to indulge in some mild bondage sex, exhibitionism, and some terrific lesbian loving with Dayton Rains and Venus (both of whom are underrated performers in their own right). Dayton Rains is a hot little number with an easy-going attitude, and Venus is simply drop-dead gorgeous. The three make beautiful music together, in a melody of lesbian love as enchanting as any piece played by Charlie Parker.

At the risk of repeating myself, I must state that all the sex scenes involving Cassidey are at the very least thrilling, and certainly the stuff wet dreams are made of. If there's anyone out there who has not yet taken a look at this disarmingly sexy girl in action, now is your chance with this film. A tanned and toned natural bodied beauty with the brightest blue eyes and blackest hair ever seen on a Vivid Girl, Cassidey gives a performance here (including anal) that rivals the intensity and allure of Gwen Summers in NOTHING TO HIDE 3 & 4, and of Roxanne Blaze in JUSTINE: NOTHING TO HIDE 2. She's that cute and that good.

As with most Paul Thomas productions, the relationship conflicts are at the center of this picture, with Sydnee cheating on Decker with Lexington Steele, and Cassidey seducing record producer Alec Metro in a predictably hot encounter. And of course, would you expect the life of an angst-ridden jazz musician to be anything less than full of hardship and tragedy? That's why, to quote Elton John, they call it the blues, and the life of Alan Ribbot is no different (on the other hand, how unfortunate can his life have been when he has both Sydnee and Cassidey on his sexual resume?). It would not be too much of a shock to reveal that the movie ends on a downbeat note, finishing off the piece with a surreal flashback of past events, including a coda of Decker lying injured in a hospital bed as he contemplates having lost both the women in his life. Ah, the life of a musician! It if weren't for their celebrity status, legion of groupies, money and success, one just might feel sorry for them...

My only true quibble with MARISSA is that Paul Thomas has chosen to edit this movie's sex scenes rather abruptly, with no transitions in between positions or sexual acts. For example, you'll see Cassidey going down on Alex Metro for a minute or two, before we jump right into a doggy-style position already in progress. For those who watch primarily gonzo videos (where the roaming camera usually follows the action without a break as the couple keeps the action going), the sudden jumps can seem a little jarring, but it never distracts from the flow of the lustful conduct. There were times when I couldn't help but wonder if I was missing a piece of the hardcore, but the alternate angles are also consistent with the main action. It is also worth mentioning that there is quite a bit of brief foot fetish action here, with Cassidey's toes and ankles being lovingly licked by her suitors. If you go for that kind of stuff, there is enough of it in this video to warrant a mention.

The sound is excellent, if not for the music, but for the sounds of sex from Cassidey's orgasmic cries to Sydnee's heated moans. The picture is a step up from recent Vivid features shot on film, and the inherent grain does not detract from the visuals. The Special Features section on this DVD offers the audience a choice of "Fetish Rooms" by which to jump to the kind of action we enjoy most (and how many male viewers can resist jumping to the blowjobs portion of the disc as their first fetish choice?). Previews on this disc include a look at DEEP INSIDE CHEYENNE SILVER, RETURN TO SENDER, DEVIANT and DELUSIONAL, all of which are eye-catching to say the least. We also get a Photo Gallery and excellent Bonus Scenes featuring Cassidey from DREAMS and HOUSE SITTER, and focusing on Dayton in COLOR ME BLIND 2 and WATCHER 16.

But the very best feature on this DVD is the ability to turn off the multiple angles icon which runs throughout the film, relieving us from the graphic eyesore which reads, "angles 1-2-3" on the upper right of the screen. My guess is that this option was placed at the behest of Paul Thomas, so as to not distract from the story and sex of this prestigious production. Again, this is only a speculative assumption on my part; I'm just grateful that I get to see this movie without other visuals getting in the way.

MARISSA is an excellent movie from an accomplished director. It may not rank with Miles Davis' "Kind Of Blue" as a genuine work of art, but it is as good as porn gets.

This is a great film. An awesome cast and even better sex. A must-see for any Vivid fan.

I enjoyed this film for the most part and it was pretty hot. Cassidey and Venus looked amazing, but the filming was too "jumpy". One minute, Cassidey would be getting fucked in a certain position, then it jumped to another, and then right back to the previous one. This took away most of my attention and it became hard to enjoy some of the "would-be" good parts.