Falling From Grace

Brad Armstrong has to choose between a woman he once loved and the God he has vowed to devote his life to in Wicked's Falling From Grace, a remarkably well-written movie that certainly deserved the awards it received at the 2003 AVN Awards (Best Actor for Armstong; Best Screenplay), and probably a few more that it didn't obtain.

Falling From Grace is one of those rarities in the adult film world - it's a movie whose storyline is more engrossing than its sexual activity, and for that reason the raincoater crowd will want to steer clear, but couples and those who love adult features should rush out and pick up their copies today.

The movie begins with Brad's character out for a jog and to pick up some groceries. He returns home to find his girlfriend, Sydnee Steele, making out with Dillion Day in his own living room. The film then jumps a number of years ahead, and Sydnee has returned to Brad's place to ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness he can give...since he's now become a priest - but any chance of Sydnee and Brad being together again has been lost...or so the viewer thinks.

Brad spends much of the movie struggling with the temptation of the flesh and his vow towards God. It's an interesting conflict, and one that you would not expect to be examined in an adult movie. Considering that many in the adult industry have a tendency to attack religion and religious establishments (and vice versa), it would have been very easy for the creators of Falling From Grace to treat the Church with less respect...but they don't. They give Catholicism the proper respect in this film...and Falling From Grace is a much stronger movie because of it.

As for the sex scenes, most are pretty standard in nature, although I did enjoy watching newcomer Stormy making out with Randy Spears, and a scene between two prostitutes and a "John" in a back alley (played by Jessica Drake, Nicole Sheridan and Voodoo) gets my personal vote for the hottest scene in the film.

As for whether Sydnee and Brad ever get it on, I'll leave that surprise for the viewer - but will add that this movie has the guts to end the right way instead of the way you would expect a movie made by the adult industry to end. Interestingly enough, there's an alternate ending on the DVD that would have ended the movie exactly the way you'd expect an adult movie like this to end...and I guess we can thank God (pun intended!) that the filmmakers chose the right way to wrap up the story of these characters - the movie is so much better because of the choices the screenwriters and director made.

Once again, Wicked has provided consumers with a wonderful DVD package, loaded with bonus features such as a behind the scenes featurette; a feature-length commentary track with Brad Armstrong and Stephanie Swift (who has a hot girl-girl scene in the movie with Felecia); interviews with many of the cast members; a deleted scene; the aforementioned alternate ending; bloopers; slide shows and more. I was even able to locate four "Easter Eggs" hidden on the DVD.

If there's one problem with the disc, it's that the movie - which was shot on film - doesn't have a pristine transfer to DVD...something we've seen in the past with adult shot-on-film features. There are several occasions when "dirt" is visible, and some pixilation problems at random points in the movie. Nothing that will take away from your enjoyment of the film, but just enough to prevent Falling From Grace from getting a perfect rating from this reviewer. On the other hand, the audio is well-done, and offered in 5.1 Dolby sound.

Overall, Falling From Grace proves that interesting and well-acted stories can be part of the adult industry - and controversial subjects can be approached with seriousness and respect...even in a porno film. This film represents everything that the adult business should be striving for each and every time a feature production is made, and I personally applaud everyone responsible for making this movie for their fine work!