Lecher, The

Here's one of those cliché quotes often borrowed from critics for use as a promotional tool, "... one of the best adult films I've ever seen." I think that sums The Lecher up quite accurately. Indeed, this DVD ranks in my top ten of all time.

Evil Angel never ceases to amaze me with virtually every product they release, but I especially anticipated the dvd transfer of this 1997 video, which of course is no exception to Evil's rule of excellence. Writer-director-producer John Leslie, not unlike the entire Evil stable, goes to meticulous lengths for achievement of "quality" porn. With drive like that, John's series, like the Voyeur, have consistently achieved solid fan followings, not to mention individual storyline films like Dogwalker and Drop Sex which explore very dark character traits and situations, which in turn encourages viewers to look inside themselves.

The Lecher, similar to The Voyeur series, is gonzo filmmaking for sure, but this variation is intensely laced with deep, albeit ambiguous, story. Reprising the role of camera-wielding sex spy, John lurks and follows and engages people, hoping to evoke their deepest sexual depravity. Interlaced through scenes of hardcore eroticism, John provides a bevy of verbal discourses and diatribes, such that a cantankerous old man may do. The most interesting aspect of his ramblings is certainly the depth. That is a profound reason why The Lecher is not The Voyeur. To be clear, The Lecher is not just a title... it's a character with further purpose than camera-man. He stalks, he examines his own demons, he tries to rationalize his surroundings, and he's borderline sociopath teetering on the fine line between logical concern and paranoia. In essence, "Lecher", as a character, enters our brain, simultaneously with the heat of sexual eye-candy, and provokes stirring images of abstract eroticism.

Although it's a loosely used term, avant-garde truly reflects the styling, motif and overall atmosphere of this particular picture. This characteristic is easily identified early into the film. Following a short complaint-filled intro, "Lecher" follows a scantily clad blonde through a hotel, out to the street and into a restaurant restroom. At this location, "Lecher" engages both the blonde Emanuell and the dark-haired Wendy, stimulating their inhibitions. A brief lesbian tryst is interrupted when a full-bladder male patron enters. A dismayed and irritated "Lecher" commands the fellow to "get the hell outta here, I'm trying to film." But, nature calls in more ways than one, as the girls see potential. Consequently, "Lecher" changes his mind, thus deciding to seize the moment, which progresses into a full throttle anal invasion. Using unconventional camera positions and variant angles, John makes a urinal-filled environment so unbelievably enticing.

To further add a sense of tension, John's style allows for "sex" to occur only after suspenseful and mentally-trying introductions ensue. In order to have dessert, you must have your entrée first. Viewers are given "Flesh-pressing" only after being bombarded with provocative visual teasing designed to lure you in and heighten the effect. Another fine example of such tactics comes in chapter five. In a seemingly abandoned apartment, Lecher happens upon a beautiful socialite, Illana Moore - a case of spy versus spy. As he watches her, she is watching some homeless guys in an adjacent section of the building. In usual "Lecher" fashion, Illana is approached and then asked a series of questions like; Are you rich? So, you're a rich-bitch? The q and a hypnotically alters her inhibitions, so "Lecher" can poke and prod her asshole, just for a moment. Eventually the two homeless men make their way into the scene and Lecher permits a scorching two-on-one to develop.

The aforementioned scenes are just a sampling of the many superb entanglements contained in The Lecher. The five major sex scenes include plenty of tease, multi-positional fucking, pussy and dick licking, ball-busting facials, double-penetrations and, last but not least, an impressively attractive European cast who carry out such dastardly deeds. The Lecher is an adult work of art, but that's not all! Evil Angel Video raises the bar with DVD extras, so it's not surprising that The Lecher contains plenty of bells and whistles.

The opening screen offers chapter breakdown, play movie, fetish menu, bonus footage and a special features section. Again, there are five major chapters, however, this disc breaks each chapter down even more, so the true tally reaches forty-six chapters in all. This is done for easy facilitation of the "fetish menu" which provides breakdowns of separate sex instances; oral, anal, D.P. Always an interesting and enlightening option on an Evil Angel DVD - the director bio, where viewers may better understand the man behind this dark imagery.

Loyal "Evil" followers should love this transfer of an almost certain "classic". Audiences of all types, willing to dare their libidos, should enjoy this work, as well. Here's why...The Lecher is a compelling, alluring and diabolically orgasmic creation that blurs the line between "in your face" gonzo and abstract erotic art. There's humor, depression, anxiety, passion and good-looking people to boot. It's absolutely extreme!