DR. JEKYLL & MISTRESS HYDE
PLOT-A female scientist invents a serum that separates the "pure" side of the brain from the "lustful".
VIOLENCE-We actually see a real needle go into a real arm...twice! Yow! Who was that?
SEX/NUDITY-Numerous scenes of softcore lesbonic action between the 2 stars of the film, as well as a maid and a tv show host. Nudity and simulated sex galore, featuring 1-ways, 2-ways, and 3-ways.
WHY I WATCHED IT-I've seen just about every original Seduction Cinema film ever produced, and I love what they do. This one was a collectors item (only 20,000 were made) so I saw no reason not to snap it up.
THE DOPE-This film doesn't look like or play like any of the other SC films I've seen. First off, do not expect it to be similar to MISTRESS FRANKENSTEIN. It doesn't star Darian Caine as a stuffy scientist who drinks her own secret formula, turning into a wild-haired nympho. Nope, it's a 180-degree turn from the formula that made SC famous, but it still scores high on many levels. DR. JEKYLL & MISTRESS HYDE takes much influence from the David Lynch film MULHOLLAND DRIVE, giving a fresh and interesting spin to a classic tale. The lighting is exceptional, the acting is all first-rate, and the music is incredible (the latter is included on a 2nd disc). This movie is serious in tone, but doesn't fall flat as a result. It has definite mood, and could play very well on late-night cable. My only problem with this film relates to the dubbing of the actors' dialogue, which goes out of sync several times and disappears entirely on occasion. All in all, though, it's some well-made erotica with surreal elements and top-notch production value for a shot-on-video release. Certainly another achievement for SC, and another stellar acting turn from Misty Mundae.
MEMORABLE SCENES-Given that in the past, SC movies have featured brightly-lit, almost clinical sex scenes, DR. JEKYLL & MISTRESS HYDE proves that sometimes less is more. One scene of frantic, table-top lovemaking was lit so darkly that light only hit certain things at certain times, making it a lot sexier and more effective. I thought I was watching Skinemax.
NOTES-The 2-disc collectors set is a numbered "Limited Edition". Disc 1 contains the movie and lengthy documentary about the making of the film, featuring cast interviews and footage of Misty Mundae & Ruby LaRocca shopping in Los Angeles. Disc 2 is a CD of the neo-noir, jazz-infected score of the film, performed by Don Mike. Its 18 tracks equal over an hour of listening pleasure.
(June 2003)