August 08, 2012 08:04am
The Truth About O ~ Reviewer Rated
Source: Adult Industry News
by: Company Press Release
The Truth About O, a BDSM film from Ernest Greene Productions distributed by Adam & Eve Pictures starring Bobbi Starr as O with Asa Akira, Jessie Andrews, Krissy Lynn, Justine Joli, Claire Adams, James Deen, Michael Wylde, Michael Vegas, and Nat Turner, directed by Ernest Greene.
Reviewer Rich Moreland says...
While Fifty Shades of Grey captures the literary market with a female spin on BDSM, Ernest Greene’s the Truth About O crafts the fetish's visual context under a hardcore umbrella. In a screen narrative that gives the sex a purpose, Greene frames his female performers contradictorily to traditional male gonzo; they want the sex on their terms with the bondage game their erotic seduction.
Greene’s picture is a well-scripted story with a political undertone. His wife, pro-sex feminist Nina Hartley, is the film’s assistant director and the inimitable Bobbi Starr plays O. Like Hartley, Starr is a feminist and when Marie (a non-sex role for Hartley) introduces O to patrons at the bondage club she comments that O is "The finest slave I’ve ever trained." The reverse double entendre is intriguing. The older Marie educates O and the veteran Hartley mentors feminists like Starr. Hartley and Starr are porn icons of different generations and two of the smartest and most assertive women in the business. They understand female empowerment in a male dominated industry.
Greene knows what pleases female viewers: authentic orgasms. He cultivates male-female encounters, extending time for the "waves" to sweep over the female talent. There’s oral for both sexes in the film, giving equal status to the men as givers. In his cinematography, Greene frames his actors in their entirety as characters, not just bodies. A superb example is the scene in which Ray (Michael Vegas) munches slave Jillian, played by the sweet and willowy Jessie Andrews. Jillian’s build-up is a study in rapture.
Facials are absent in this film. Women don’t like them and an eye full of cum serves no purpose. The pop shot can be left anywhere and Greene prefers other parts of the female body.
James Deen, Danny Wylde, and Michael Vegas are sexy and sensuous. They are as essential to the storyline as any of the women. In short, Greene’s men are more than "wood" picking up a paycheck; they give purpose to each sex scene with the attention they pay to female pleasure.
Of course the Hitachi Magic Wand, indispensable in woman-friendly BDSM, ensures a scene’s upbeat conclusion for female talent.
The dubious ingredient for a female audience is anal because backdoor sex is unappealing for some women. That being said, an enthusiastic anal shoot is exciting for others and Greene’s lead, Bobbi Starr, uses anal as her feminist statement. Greene obligingly gives her the go ahead in a sparkling scene with Wylde.
Gonzo fans take heart; old standbys are still around but with some variation. Beyond the typical bound girl on her knees blowing away, Greene adds a suspended upside down Starr vigorously displaying her oral techniques on Deen.
There is much in this film to ponder. Greene turns BDSM play into performance art featuring the incredibly sensuous Justine Jolie and femdom Claire Adams, Greene’s rigger for the film’s production. Jolie is the winsome and sassy sub. Adams’ shibari skills invigorate the opened legged suspension of Jolie, who gives those helpless and invitational "fuck me" looks to Adams. There’s girl/girl action here not to be missed.
O tells Marie at the opening of the movie, "I’ve not forgotten how to serve or obey," an interesting statement coming from an owned slave. The comment sets the tone for the film. O’s master Steven (James Deen) wants another woman, "A regular part time playmate," to join in their sexual fun. O’s mission is to find her.
Steven’s aloofness troubles O. Though he claims to need her, O is doubtful. "Are you sure?" she says, and reminds Steven that she once told him, "I’d do anything to be owned by you." O’s words to Marie that she still remembers how to serve and obey hints that this relationship is adrift.
They briefly kiss and O touches Steven’s forehead. "What’s going on in the there?" she asks, with a hesitating smile. Steven avoids an answer and offers no admonishment. Her question is a clear overstepping by a slave.
Instead, Steven reveals his weakness for her. "It’s all become so easy for you, hasn’t it?" he says dryly, adding, "Just when you think you have it, it turns out you don’t."
That’s the "truth" about O and those around her, a truth that exists on multiple levels.
O becomes an explorer, using her submission to expand her sexual expression. The influence of Starr and Hartley in the film sends the feminist message that women can seek their own way, inviting men along if it suits them.
Of particular interest in Truth is Starr’s acting. She delivers dialogue well, more naturally than is normally seen in porn.
The movie’s finale is the return of O’s contract. Steven’s new slave Yvette (played by the sensual Asa Akira), whom O obtained for him, brings the sealed envelope. He orders her to open it. Yvette asks, "Are you sure?" Steven abruptly chides her, insinuating that to question her master is inappropriate. Yvette quickly apologizes, unaware it’s a rule Steven unevenly applies.
Ironically, O is off to the Far East with Steven’s brother, leaving her now former master with an Asian slave. Yvette is a reminder of where O once was and now currently is. The contract O signed was on her terms, not Steven’s. Yvette now plays the bondage game; O has moved on.
Steven’s earlier words to O that things are never what they seem to be reflect the totality of the film. Is O what she seems to be? Is the bondage game what it appears to be?
"No one will ever know the truth about you," Steven muses, thinking of O and reflecting on himself. "They look at you and see their dreams, not yours."
Greene tells us one thing for certain. O hunts her own erotic satisfaction; a beguiling submissiveness is her lure. That she has choices is Greene’s cinematic salute to feminism and BDSM in pornography today.
Rich Moreland's rating: Power ON!
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