Tuff Love

Dr. Chauntelle does not use a rating system. Five stars is a default setting only.

FYI: this is going to be a review in layers, starting from most general and moving on to spoiler-riddled detail.

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If I were evaluating Wicked Pictures' Tuff Love (2013) on some sort of emotionless basis, I would say that it was just fine. Gyms, cages, pads, and fight chics - oh my!! But I wanted it to kick a different level of ass - like, super kick ass on a literal and emotional level... and it didn't.

In Tuff Love...

Wholesome Adrianna must choose between love and destiny. Faced with continuing to train her lover and top-ranked fighter, or to delve into the seedy world of underground female smoker fights, she must make a choice that will affect her life forever. Will she choose love or her life's passion? Laced with graphic, hard-hitting sex and neck-snapping MMA action, find out what fate holds in store for Adrianna...

So this film explores underground "smoker" fights... "Smokers" are unsanctioned competitions, usually featuring amateurs fighters who're just starting out. And when faced with either continuing to train her top-ranked fighter lover or delving into the world of underground lady smoker fights herself, Adrianna Luna (who, in a very Digital Playground-like move, plays "Adrianna" here) must make a choice.

It just didn't work for me.

I know that Adrianna Luna actually trains MMA for real which only served to render all the slo-mo fight fluff both silly and unnecessary - hardly "neck-snapping MMA action," show the actual goods!! And though the motions of the 55mph (vs the 90mph I was looking for) fight sequences were good, Adrianna's acting was flaaat. And even jessica drake, who I know prepares quite extensively for any role she takes on, wasn't very convincing this time.

meh.

Plus the story pissed me off - in order to follow your career-like dreams, girl (Adrianna), you have to lose it all (if "all" is referring to romance and a personal life)? I mean, good on Adrianna because she doesn't really seem to care in the end and who needs some douche that makes you choose between following your dreams and being in his corner anyway!! ...but still.

So I guess that's just tough love. And I guess I wanted a more convincing and compelling storyline, one that didn't rely on an iteration of the tried, true, and tired virgin/whore dichotomy. Oh well...

Digital Playground did girlfighters much better with Fighters (2011)

Recommended for: people who like the idea of fighting, not for those who actually do.

BTS and Extras: standard fare, plus one bonus scene.

As a rising star in the sordid world of mixed martial arts, Derrick Pierce proves that he's as much a lover as he is a fighter in Tuff Love, a high impact feature film from Pierce and Wicked Pictures. Showcasing the lovely Adrianna Luna as his trainer along with the stunning jessica drake as a seasoned female fighter and antagonist, this flick effectively uses the fighting world and all of its seedy, sexy trappings to serve as a backdrop for the action. Indeed, the plot is as gritty as the fucking-which is saying a good deal-and none of the characters escape without at least a little bit of dirt on them. Derrick will do anything to win his title match. Adrianna's own fighting aspirations pull at her and drive her away from her duties as a trainer. And jessica will work any angle-and anyone-to keep on top...figuratively and literally. In all, this one ends up being a superior blend of love, betrayal, lust, and action.

In terms of the sex, Scene One features an in-ring training session between Adrianna Luna and Derrick Pierce that quickly heats up...in the dirty way. Making the transition from war to love, the two participants' workout clothing is discarded, and a sensual mid-ring romp ensues. An oral and vaginal fuck follows, and the action is capped off with a load on Adrianna's breasts. This one's decent enough.

In Scene Two, Derrick's promoter-Steven St. Croix-is getting blown under his desk by jessica drake as he signs up Derrick for a rushed title fight. As soon as Pierce leaves, jessica pops out from under the desk, and it's on...full-on. After nearly a decade-and-a-half in porn, jessica is still stunning, and the oral and vaginal action that proceeds is sexy. A pop-shot to Ms. drake's tummy-which she follows up with some taste-testing-closes out this very good sequence.

Scene Three pairs up Derrick's friend, Brad Tyler, and his girlfriend, Mischa Brooks, up in his loft. Mischa's looking good here, as she starts off in a brown, long-sleeved half-shirt and black panties. She and Brad are on a bed, sensually making out. With an industrial part of the city peaking through the windows behind them and serving as a backdrop, the mood is set quite well for this one...and the sex that follows doesn't disappoint. Mischa pops Brad's cock out of his pants, stuffs it in her mouth, and they're off. What transpires is a steamy oral and vaginal fucking that culminates in a load on Mischa's ass. Hot stuff!

In Scene Four, Adrianna Luna is cornered in a caged ring by three female fighters-Ariel X., Celeste Star, and Mackenzee Pierce-after her introduction to jessica's underground fight club. Fortunately for her, the ladies are more interested in lovin' than they are in brawlin', and her "initiation" ends up being a pleasant one. A steamy four-girl orgy follows, all as jessica drake looks on. There's plenty of oral and finger work, and the girl-girl train that the ladies set up is hot. Toward the end, jessica decides to join in and out come the vibrators. Things only get hotter as this sexy sequence proceeds for a short time thereafter. Nice!

Scene Five brings a couple of ring girl wannabes-Charlee Monroe and Stevie Shae-into Steven St. Croix's office. Of course, their card-waving skills aren't all that he's interested in, as he promptly gets the two ladies out of their clothes and into each other. Steven is quick to join in, and a sweet three-way gets going. There's plenty of girl-on-girl and guy-on-girl fucking in this oral and vaginal romp, and the proceedings are capped off with Stevie jerking Steven to a pop on her tummy and pelvis. Sweet!

In Scene Six, jessica has moved in on Adrianna's territory-namely, Derrick-after the semi-couple has had a falling out. Agreeing to train him for his match, their first session together immediately goes from practice to perfect, as the bodies-and the clothes-hit the floor. Another mid-ring fucking ensues, this one super-hot as it transitions through various oral and vaginal positions. Derrick unloads on jessica's face, tongue, and chest to close out this fine affair. (She follows it all up with some oral cock clean-off, of course).

In terms of the bonuses, this review is based on the official Wicked site's offerings, so there's likely to be some discrepancies in this area. Regardless, there's a cool BTS segment up online, and also a number of photos. Much of this-plus more-is likely to make it to the DVD release.

In all, this is a strong production from Wicked and Pierce that nicely mixes in grit, lust, love, betrayal, and action. With a gorgeous cast-including the ageless jessica drake-the sex is hot and never grows tiresome. With plenty of plot twists and fight-themed elements, the storyline also stays tight throughout. For fans of fighting, beautiful women, and features, this one's highly recommendable. For fans of pure gonzo, maybe not.