I’m a sucker for 70s adult films that begin with their own soul/funk theme song. So you know we started somewhere good when the title track takes us on a road trip.

Loosely inspired on Michael Crichton’s sci-fi thriller Westworld, Anthony Spinelli wrote and directed SexWorld, but exchanged all of the western references, terror and murders for a healthy dose of sex and surprisingly personal stories.

The movie starts with a bus full of eager customers who signed up for SexWorld, an exclusive isolated resort where any sexual fantasy can be realized. On the bus, we’re introduced to every person’s backstory and what drove them to go on this hedonistic weekend.

What stands out about this film is that it’s a solid ensemble piece where characters are much more formed and grounded than in most adult movies. The development of each of them makes it a lot easier to connect with the sex scenes later, as well as – in a couple of cases – showing real repercussions of that weekend’s decisions. The much deeper sub-plots deal with heavy topics like grief, overcoming bigotry, a frustrated need for aggression, mommy issues, confusion of lust and love, Behind the Green Door references (with Johnny Keyes included), and the difficulty of accepting imminent separations. But it’s all done superficially enough that it doesn’t become a drama, which could be a good or bad thing, depending on where you stand on your “porn with a story.”

Encouraged by a group of highly trained specialists, each participant describes in full detail a fantasy they would like to see fulfilled. While some skepticism is understandable, people quickly give in and reveal their deepest sex dreams to the counselors, while they’re watched by a team of what I can only assume are scientists (they do have lab coats and elaborate 1970s phony computers, after all.)

The result, of course, is an absolutely real recreation of those fantasies. And just when you thought SexWorld was simply a glorified retreat for horny couples, it turned out to be far more technological than you’d expect.

The fantasies are recreated with sex robots so realistic that would put any real life current technology to shame, which strangely could help people keep the notion of that dream alive in 2014. Maybe this could happen in a not-so-distant future? It might be a little creepy, but I’m sure it would have its share of strong supporters.

The control room employees are constantly monitoring each room to make sure all fantasies go smoothly, and the old idea of what complex, futuristic computer labs are supposed to look like is endearing in that classic 70s naivety.

There are a couple of very nicely shot slowed down scenes, and in general the photography is well taken care of. The sex scenes are good and they feature an all-star cast that includes porn legends like Leslie Bovee, Annette Haven, Kay Parker, Joey Silvera, Desiree West and John Leslie. Overall, SexWorld is an entertaining movie with strong characters, and a plot that will keep you interested. Definitely a classic.

One Comment

  1. One of the best scenes is seeing Kay Parker take all of John Holme’s 13″ up her hiney and loving it.