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ROXANNA (2002)
Produced by Michael Beck
Written and Directed by Ted W. Crestview
Edited by Terry M. West.
Director of Photography - Johnny CrashRoxanna - Misty Mundae
Clair - Katie Jordon
Psychiatrist - Barbara Joyce
Bar Girl - Darian Cain
Roxanna's Boyfriend - Josh RobinsonI'm not sure what caused it, but Seduction Cinema has taken a huge turn in terms of subject matter. Light, bubble-headed comedies have given way to dramatic examinations of moral and social issues. The sex is still there, but it takes on a greater meaning. None more clearly exemplify this than in Ted Crestview's re-working of the classic 1970's erotic film ROXANNA.
Misty Mundae is Roxanna, a party girl who's one last call away from total meltdown. Gutted and empty, sex is the only way she can feel anything for another human being. She's not so much a sex addict as she is a junkie pushing her high as far as it will go, while the entire time she doesn't realize she's been at rock bottom.
The film is completely told in flashback and revolves around Roxanna's recollections while on her psychiatrist's couch. It's not exactly clear if Roxanna is in rehabilitation or a mental institution, but it is clear that her use of sex and drugs to substitute for her lack of self-fulfillment took their toll. Her reckless attitude has left her even more empty than when she started. She's a barely a shell of a woman as she tries hard to fantasize about her shrink, but can't go all the way.
Misty Mundae hasn't been this enjoyable to watch since DUCK: THE CARBINE HIGH MASSACRE. About 80% of the time she's dead on, the other 20 she's pretty good. Her director should have paid closer attention to certain key sequences during production. His oversights allow for dialogue that are near-misses in their effectiveness. That sort of thing really keeps Misty from truly giving her best, most well-rounded performance to date.
With all Misty's Seduction work under her belt, it shouldn't come as a surprise that her sexual approach to ROXANNA is frank and uncompromisingly honest. She's the key to the movie's success; if she can't sell the material, then the movie fails on all levels. The girl truly gives it her all and goes for broke.
Roxanna is presented on DVD along the original that inspired it. I admit, I haven't watched the original yet, but I'm curious to see how Crestview changed the approach, and to see if the original Roxanna was as down and out as Misty's take on the character. From the trailer, it looks as if more sex is in the original. Considering this is a Seduction Cinema release, I find that hard to fathom.
In the past, I've complained about the lack of commentary tracks on Seduction Cinema titles. I can't remember if they've done one before but the track on ROXANNA is exactly how I pictured a Seduction commentary to be, immensely entertaining. On the older, less serious titles, everyone looked like they were having so much fun. A collection of goofballs doing what they do best. It seems only natural that their playfulness would transfer to film commentaries. In fact, the jovial nature of the ROXANNA commentary almost seems out of place with the film's serious tone. Darian Cain just loves the muff-diving jokes...
One note on the commentary, Ted W. Crestview sounds like a dead ringer for Terry M. West. On the B-Independent.com message boards I've noted that Terry is one of my favorite conversationalists and his table is always a favorite stop when I'm making the rounds at the Chiller festival. This Crestview guy has Terry's same speech pattern, tonal inflections, and word choices. I would have outed West for being Crestview except that there's a key exchange where Crestview thanks West for turning him on to Josh Robinson's acting. No one would carry a masquerade that far, would they?
The rest of the disc is what you've come to expect from Seduction Cinema in the form of a trailer vault an. No behind the scenes material this time around, but with two movies the disc is already packed. And what you don't get from the commentary, you probably don't need anyway. There's also an interview with a gentleman known as 42 Street Pete who reflects on the original ROXANNA, also included on the disc, and the work of director Nick Phillips. You'll also find the ultra-depressing short "Despair", which has been previously reviewed on this website.
Not a bad package, and definitely worth the money. Fans of Seduction and Misty Mundae will no doubt enjoy everything the disc has to offer.