Soft-core erotic film ace Joe Sarno crafts one of his strongest and most impressive pictures from his late 1960's New York period with this brooding tale of obsessive photographer Henning (a sound performance by Dan Machuen), whose fixation on his favorite model Leslie (an appealing portrayal by the fetching Maria Lease) and determination to finish a book of steamy photos gets undermined by the intrusion of mysterious homeless gal Joyce (nicely played to the seductive and manipulative hilt by alluring brunette Sue Akers), who Henning makes the fatal mistake of letting crash in a spare room in his apartment studio.
Sarno utilizes the compellingly sordid premise as an ideal means to explore how men try to control women by objectifying them and tackles his recurring motif of an enigmatic black widow type who's a catalyst for trouble and turmoil with strikingly effective results with Joyce initially serving as a muse for Henning prior to bringing about his ruination. The crisp black and white cinematography by Bruce G. Sparks and Steve Silverman makes neat use of stark shadowy lighting and the cramped claustrophobic confines of Henning's apartment studio. Moreover, Sarno also delivers a satisfyingly substantial amount of sizzling soft-core sex and yummy female nudity. Sarno's wife Peggy Steffens acquits herself well in a sizable supporting role as Henning's concerned assistant. Recommended viewing for Sarno fans.
Sarno utilizes the compellingly sordid premise as an ideal means to explore how men try to control women by objectifying them and tackles his recurring motif of an enigmatic black widow type who's a catalyst for trouble and turmoil with strikingly effective results with Joyce initially serving as a muse for Henning prior to bringing about his ruination. The crisp black and white cinematography by Bruce G. Sparks and Steve Silverman makes neat use of stark shadowy lighting and the cramped claustrophobic confines of Henning's apartment studio. Moreover, Sarno also delivers a satisfyingly substantial amount of sizzling soft-core sex and yummy female nudity. Sarno's wife Peggy Steffens acquits herself well in a sizable supporting role as Henning's concerned assistant. Recommended viewing for Sarno fans.