(2000 Video)

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6/10
Is This A Sequel?
cricharddavies25 June 2007
While watching this adult film, I was struck with a strange sense of familiarity. In its opening scenes, the protagonist (played by John Decker) walks into the surf, ostensibly to commit suicide, only to be rescued by a female lifeguard (played by Julia Ann) whom he immediately asks to marry him. Throughout the film, Decker sees a phantom-like image of a woman, apparently his dream woman, whom he's terrified he'll never meet if he remains in his relationship with his wife, which has become somewhat boring to him.

It's this last element that seems strangely familiar. When I was far, far too young to be watching adult films, I would frequently tune in to the previews of adult movies offered by satellite channel American Exxxtasy. And I half-remember one preview for a video that showed a man interacting with a phantom woman, in much the same way. I wonder if it's possible that this film, directed by Paul Thomas, might have been a sequel to this other one, the title of which I can't even recall. Ah well.

"Secret Party", regardless of its connections, is a rather dramatic and erotic film. While the gorgeous Julia Ann is probably the most beautiful of the performers, the others don't exactly stint either, particularly in the orgy scene. (It's not as large and wild-ranging as the orgies from much earlier films, but on the whole I think that's probably a good thing.) There are even some rather surprising plot twists.
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Intricate surreal fantasy by David Stanley/Paul Thomas
lor_8 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
David Stanley's gift as a screenwriter is well-represented in this Vivid release directed by Paul Thomas, a fine example of his Lifestyle porn movies.

John Decker stars as an increasingly unsympathetic character, first seen nude walking into the ocean to commit suicide in a black & white prologue scene. Dressed in Baywatch red, Julia Ann saves him, he asks her to marry him, and we're suddenly seven years on, time of the usual itch.

Decker's odyssey unfolds in dreamlike fashion, buoyed by Thomas often quick-cutting away before a scene seems over plus Stanley's fantasy-filled surreal screenplay. We see him momentarily pouring out his troubles to his shrink (Paul Thomas in a fleeting cameo role) and then working as a shrink himself, with cute (but mixed-up) Gwen Summers as a patient.

Gwen relates how she "accidentally" gave her cousin (uncredited Michael J. Cox) a foot-job under the table at a family party, thinking he was her boyfriend sitting next to cuz. Thomas and camera ace Ralph Parfait shoot this strange scene beautifully.

But it is high school friend Tony Tedeschi who is Decker's main sounding board about his troubles, mainly centering on his now-stale marriage to Julia Ann. He envies Tony, who plays piano in lounges and is a relatively free spirit. Sex by Decker or Tony fills up much of the running time, totaling 11 XXX scenes in a trim 94 minutes.

What is real and what is merely in Decker's imagination is carefully mixed by Stanley, leaving the viewer to sort out, maintaining interest in what otherwise might just be a corny tale of infidelity.

Among the highlights is a terrific turn by superstar Chloe as a streetwalker, who first tangles with nasty & condescending Decker (he's as narcissistic as Trump here) and then services him without recompense. Her fate is subtly depicted later in the picture.

Similarly, Decker is very mean to his office receptionist Azlea Antistia, who seduces him on her father's death bed (!) before Decker rushes away. She gets back at him later in the show.

Film climaxes at the title party, a costume event for swingers in which Decker is involved in group sex, at first wearing the mask from "Scream", and the masked participants include many characters previously seen elsewhere, marking it as mainly John's fantasy. He ends up depositing his money shot on an uncredited Alana Evans.

Among the party people are Julia Ann as well as a mysterious "Woman in White" played by Sydnee Steele, who Decker imagines haunting him on the beach where he committed suicide, and who is revealed with a different surprise identity in the movie's final freeze-frame closeup.

This early screenplay by Stanley is most impressive in its detail and surprise connections, as well as sharp dialog including amusing jokes by a stand-up comedian during a Tedeschi nightclub scene.

Stanley, Decker and Thomas reteamed the following year on an interesting jazz-themed movie "Marissa", starring Cassidey in the title role.
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