“There's
high flying Action when the pretty little birds flock
together...”
Newlyweds Alan (Eric Edwards, Laura's Toys) and Robin (Arcadia Lake, Debbie Does Dallas) spend their first day as a married couple by moving in to their new apartment. Naturally, that evening they christen said apartment like most couples would do and damn do they start married life with a bang! The perfect start to what will be a truly future? Maybe not, because fast forward six months later and the couple's bickering has lead to the pair undergoing a trial separation and Robin to move out. She decides to stay with her high society nympho of a friend; Glenna (Robin Byrd, Pleasure Palace). The pair then do some “catching up”. With her mind somewhat at ease, Robin's healing process is off to a great start! Alan on the other hand is a bumbling, scruffy mess. Thankfully, he gets cheered up by his own nympho of a friend; Larry (Paul Thomas, The Price of Desire) after a chance encounter in the local drinking hole. Unlike Glenna however, Larry is a bit of a creep who in his spare time likes to stalk a cheating housewife known as Mrs. G (Marcia Mager, Sweet Wet Lips). After a few drinks, Larry invites Alan back to his wife Lorraine's (Samantha Fox, Babylon Pink) funded swanky abode. How does he cheer up Alan? By letting him have some “consoling” of his own with Lorraine's young plaything; Honey (Crystal Day, Secrets of a Willing Wife). If things weren't complicated and ugly enough (well, depends on how you look at it.) for both Alan and Robin, the fact that Lorraine is “good friends” with Glenna may just make the situation uglier than it already is!
Newlyweds Alan (Eric Edwards, Laura's Toys) and Robin (Arcadia Lake, Debbie Does Dallas) spend their first day as a married couple by moving in to their new apartment. Naturally, that evening they christen said apartment like most couples would do and damn do they start married life with a bang! The perfect start to what will be a truly future? Maybe not, because fast forward six months later and the couple's bickering has lead to the pair undergoing a trial separation and Robin to move out. She decides to stay with her high society nympho of a friend; Glenna (Robin Byrd, Pleasure Palace). The pair then do some “catching up”. With her mind somewhat at ease, Robin's healing process is off to a great start! Alan on the other hand is a bumbling, scruffy mess. Thankfully, he gets cheered up by his own nympho of a friend; Larry (Paul Thomas, The Price of Desire) after a chance encounter in the local drinking hole. Unlike Glenna however, Larry is a bit of a creep who in his spare time likes to stalk a cheating housewife known as Mrs. G (Marcia Mager, Sweet Wet Lips). After a few drinks, Larry invites Alan back to his wife Lorraine's (Samantha Fox, Babylon Pink) funded swanky abode. How does he cheer up Alan? By letting him have some “consoling” of his own with Lorraine's young plaything; Honey (Crystal Day, Secrets of a Willing Wife). If things weren't complicated and ugly enough (well, depends on how you look at it.) for both Alan and Robin, the fact that Lorraine is “good friends” with Glenna may just make the situation uglier than it already is!
In a nutshell, Robin's Nest
is a simple piece of melodrama with a touch of comedy thrown in for
good measure. Stylistically, the film reminded me of a late 1960's
piece of sexploitation cinema. After looking at Victor Bertini's
filmography, that was no surprise to me as this (his final film) was
his first film since a trio of late 1960's sexploitation efforts (his
only other directorial credits). Of course, instead of flirty
thrills, we have unsimulated sex and even though the cinematography
and set layouts are reminiscent of retro cheeseball sexploitation
cinema, there is a contemporary (for the time) style and set
decoration. It makes for a visually intriguing experience. Overall,
the film has a sense of cheapness about it, but Bertini pulls off a
somewhat accomplished piece of hardcore cinema. You'd think he'd been
shooting X-Rated skin flicks for years! To compliment the action,
there's a great selection of music throughout and although credited
to an outfit called Goldenrod, it seems more likely
that it's just a tactic to hide the (wonderfully handpicked) usage of
library music. To match the style, there are great performances
throughout from everyone involved. Although only appearing together
in a handful of scenes, there's genuine chemistry between Arcadia
Lake and Eric Edwards (something I will touch upon again at the end
of the review!. It's not exactly the most entertaining film of its
kind, but there are some great individual gags throughout and
definitely worth watching more than once. On a completely different
note, it reminded me of the 1985 shot on video outing; The
Initiation of Cynthia, a film I have watched recently... What
do you mean you don't care!?
“The
most Classically Erotic film ever made...”With
her husband Bob (Jake Teague, Cannibal Ferox)
constantly away on business trips, it's no surprise that lonely
housewife Susan (Diana Sloan, Dracula Exotica)
would begin an affair with the local hunky handyman Tom (Eric
Edwards). Unfortunately for her however, her young daughter Bella
(Tracy Adams, Fascination)
discovers her engaging in her dirty little hobby after returning home
earlier than usual one day. Instead of confronting her mother and
revealing the truth to her father upon his return, Bella is overcome
by lust after witnessing Tom and his DIY skills. Thus, begins a
sordid little love triangle. Bella's lust soon turns to love and
obsession, but Tom is unwilling to commit. Bella's obsession combined
with her jealousy leads her to take drastic measures, involving her
friend and all-round unknowing participant; Patty (Arcadia Lake).
With the stakes and tensions high, what happens will change everyone
and everything forever. Will Bella do something she may regret or can
she come to a compromise with her mother? One thing's for certain,
this is probably the most hands-on work Tom has ever had to do in his
life!
Much
like the previous film, Bella
is a melodrama with a simple concept. It may not be the most original
of concepts, but it's far from the weakest attempt at the “mother
and daughter fall for the same man” plot. Things are pretty
straightforward and somewhat vanilla for most of the film, but the
final third REALLY stands
out. It may not be the most shocking, heart-wrenching or adrenaline
filled final thirds, but it definitely leaves an impression. All in
all, it's a solidly paced film with only a couple of sex scenes being
a few minutes too long. In terms of pornography, there's no
complaints at all. Aside from Diana Sloan, the film is well acted and
the characters are believable. Although the delivery of her dialogue
is wooden to say the least, it doesn't detract too much from the
overall film. The star of the show for me is of course the lovely
Tracy Adams who really does portray the obsessed naïve lover almost
perfectly. That being said, even if her performance wasn't the
greatest, you really wouldn't complain. It's a travesty that this was
only the second of a handful of films she starred in because she
could have made a REALLY
big name for herself. In terms of style, the film almost has a feel
of Joe Sarno (Abigail Leslie is Back in Town)
to it; solid enough erotic, yet kitchen sink drama and genuinely
cinematic. It's no surprise the film is shot so wonderfully as porn
veteran Carter Stevens (Punk Rock)
was behind the camera with complete artistic freedom. Shots are
wonderfully and thoughtfully staged and there are some great handheld
and dolly shots thrown in too for good measure! You'll be hard
pressed to find a film of this nature and budget that looks as good.
Overall, this film has a lot to offer and can warrant repeat
viewings.
Wouldn't
you know? Vinegar Syndrome
have done yet another great job with the restoration and presentation
of these films. Aside from maybe one or two incidences with clear
signs of irreversible print damage, the films look and sound great,
especially when it comes to the cinematography of Carter Stevens in
Bella.
Speaking of Carter Stevens, the main feature on this disc is a short
interview with the man himself (why has no one made a feature length
documentary about him!?). He talks about his experience and freedom
on the film as well as talking about Blue
Underground's
very own Bill Lustig and his involvement with the film. It's a
fantastic little interview and I hope there's going to be much more
in the future. The only other special feature is a trailer for Bella.
Overall, this is a solid double feature mainly to commemorate the
real life relationship between Arcadia Lake and Eric Edwards. It
doesn't just work on that level because both films have the same sort
of vibes and compliment each other. If you want to see character
driven porn, give this release a try! Just don't let your mother find
out... Robin's Nest & Bella are
available as a double feature DVD release as well as being streamable
on Exploitation.tv
