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DR. JEKYLL AND MISTRESS HYDE
Directed by Tony Marsiglia
Produced by Michael Beekerman
Cinematography by Dang Lenawae
Written by Bruce Hallenbeck
Edited by Denise ManciniJackie Stevenson - Julian Wells
Martine/Dawn - Misty Mundae
Paula - Ruby LaRoccaOnce again the writings of the legendary Robert Louis Stevenson have been brought to the screen. I'm betting Robert never envisioned his writings like this though. This time around noted therapist, Jackie Stevenson, has discovered a serum that will separate women into their two natural halves of purity and lust. She tests the drug on one of her clients, Martine. A clinically depressed young woman who Jackie has grown very fond of. The drug immediately turns Martine into a wildcat. First pleasuring herself, then attacking and raping Dr. Stevenson. Unfortunately, the dose was too high and now poor Martine is confined to an asylum where she will spend her every waking moment attempting to pleasure herself while in the restraint of a straightjacket.
Thankfully, Dr. Stevenson realizes that it was the dosage that caused the adverse effects that Martine suffered. But now she realizes that the only way she can test the drug without hurting someone she cares about is to use it on herself. The experiment is a success as mousy, little Dr. Stevenson is transformed into the voluptuous Heidi. A sexual beast she takes to the streets and soon finds an inexperienced hooker named Dawn. Dawn bears more than a passing resemblance to Martine. It isn't long before Dr. Stevenson/Heidi uses her wealth and power to bring Dawn closer to her, shaping her more and more into her poor, mad Martine. Every encounter she has with the young prostitute brings more of Heidi to the foreground until, during a therapy session with her new client, Jackie turns into Heidi without the benefit of the drug. Since her new client is Dawn, this sends Dawn over the edge and to her one true addiction, heroin.
Heidi? Jackie realizes that she isn't two separate personalities, just different aspects of the same person. Parts she had kept repressed for years, finally surfacing and making her a whole woman. She pledges her love to Dawn and promises to rid her of her drug habit so they can live happily ever after. Right? Not in this movie.
To go any farther would ruin what may be the start of a new beginning for Seduction Cinema. I have watched the output of this studio for a while and they are able to produce truly interesting product, usually with tongue planted firmly in cheek, or somewhere else for that matter. This film, along with LORD OF THE G-STRINGS, is starting to show actual cinematic merit. It might be the first one that doesn't have a 'how many lesbians can we fit on a tarp' scene. And a lot of the time the sex brings all of the storyline to a grinding halt. Not with DR. JEKYLL AND MISTRESS HYDE. For the most part, the sex is integral to the plot. In a film that explores the sides of purity and lust you must have sex and this film delivers.
Julian Wells does a fine job balancing between the clinical coldness of Jackie and the steamy eroticism of Heidi. When she finally transforms without the serum you can see the anguished expression, torn between fear and happiness, in her eyes.
And Misty Mundae has finally given the performance of her career. When she is the depressed Martine, complete with black wig, she becomes someone who is believably mad. The addition of the overdose of serum transforms her into a wildcat and you get wrapped up in her portrayal of this poor girl. When she plays the innocent hooker, Dawn, she gives you the look of someone who is in over their head. Prostitution and drugs are breaking her down, and with the affections of Heidi, she stands poised at the brink. Anything could send her over the edge. Just looking into her eyes when she thinks she is alone in Dr. Stevenson's office will wreck you. she conveys so much emotion with no dialogue. Misty has shown us what she can do as an actress and now we need more.
While not a big fan of Seduction Cinema regular, Rubby LaRocca, she comes across as stunningly beautiful in her part of Paula. I've never seen her look so good before. She is also worth watching in future roles. Director Marsiglia takes what could have been nothing more than a spoof and injects it with a Lynchian sense of the bizarre. The scenes at the asylum, corrugated steel corridors and electricity flashing and arcing throughout, amakes you wonder if we've been sent to Batman's Arkham Asylum, or if Dr. Stevenson has her own little asylum in the basement of her spacious estate. And with cinematographer Dang Lenawae, shot on video hasn't looked so good.
Usually, I don't make mention of a film's soundtrack, but music director Don Mike has made that impossible. His bouncy themes intercut with a more somber orchestration gives the film an almost 70's retro European quality. A definite plus to this production. As always, Seduction Cinema gives us the usual trailers and interviews with the two leads that are very informative. The documentary is more of a 'let's follow Misty Mundae around during the filming of DR.. JEKYLL AND MISTRESS HYDE' kind of thing. And it's great! It shows us a little of how these films are put together and how much work these ladies do on what appears to be fluff cinema. Never underestimate any of these films again
Finally, Seduction Cinema has taken to including a bonus music CD along with numbered editions of their DVD's definitely making them the superior product on the market today. This deserves a place in any collectors shelf and if you're a Misty Mundae fan, this is the one where she pulls out all the stops and shows you what she can do.
Review by Arthur Cassidy