When we first started Paracinema, I was bound and determined to include pornography in the list of genres we covered. Many of the feature length porn films from the 70s easily fit into the definition of ‘paracinema.’ Films like Behind the Green Door and Deep Throat are films, with a plot, that feature hardcore sex. This is something that is almost entirely absent from modern pornography. Much of what is currently being produced is meant to be consumed in clips and scenes, not as a singular entity. In this series that I’ve dubbed ‘porn as paracinema,’ I will be looking at ‘the classics,’ but I also wanted to look at some of the current offerings.
But what? What sort of films does one seek out when attempting to critique modern porn? Why, the porn parody, of course! Many of these entries are parodying genre films. How fascinating is that? When you couple the intriguing source material with the fact that a parody should come equipped with a ready made plot, well, you’ve got the perfect jumping off point.
The goal of this series is twofold: to discuss pornography that once danced on the edge of mainstream cinema and to look at what is currently available to see if it is able to offer anything in the way of, for lack of a better word, substance. So here we go! Up first, The Breakfast Club: A XXX Parody.
It’s safe to say most have see John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club. I’ve seen it more than any other Hughes film. Have you ever found yourself wishing Ally Sheedy and Emilio Estevez would just have sex already? Well, The Breakfast Club:A XXX Parody may be just for you.
Now, make no mistake about it, this is a modern porn flick. It’s got some pretty by the book sex scenes loosely strung together using the basic plot outline of The Breakfast Club: a bunch of college kids serve out detention and have sex whilst doing so. Yes, I said college. This fact is also made into a running gag throughout the film’s 2 hour plus run time. You aren’t going to get any groundbreaking acting and I don’t think you’ll ever forget you’re watching a porno. But, this entry does do some very important things right.
The attention to detail is obvious. The actual library set is impressive and really ups the ante. The costuming is on point and the casting is pretty on the nose as well. Freckle-faced Faye Reagan takes on the Ringwald role and she does look the part. The commitment of Levi Cash who plays ‘Sporto’ aka Emilio is impressive as well. He makes a bunch of Estevez-esque facial expressions which made him my favorite of the bunch.
As I mentioned above, the sex itself is pretty inconsequential and could have been from any number of movies released today. Ya know what would have been cool? If it was shot like retro, throwback, 80s porn. You know what I mean; pubic hair and panties that sit high on the hip. Oh, a girl can dream… Anyway, back to the actual sex depicted. Here, they again did some important things right. The tone of the parody was always kept in tact. The only main characters that had sex were the parodies of Nelson/Ringwald (Chad Alva/Faye Reagan) and Estevez/Sheedy (Levi Cash/Andy San Dimas). I was afraid the film would open and we would immediately find ourselves in the middle of a character orgy set in a library. Happily, that was not the case. The sex was eased into and there was a surprising amount of the performers just talking, reenacting and being the characters.
In many regards The Breakfast Club: A XXX Parody is successful. It’s faithful to the source material and more entertaining than the average porn movie. Unfortunately, many of the sex scenes are so by the book that they drag on. The parody angle is truly what elevates this entry.
New Sensations is responsible for this, and many other parody titles. Go here to check out some trailers. I really dig what they’re doing.
Thanks for checking out the first installment of the ‘porn as paracinema’ series. On deck is Behind the Green Door, The Big Lebowski: A XXX Parody and the Official Psycho Parody.
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