Play Time

by Brian

I first saw Play Time way back in '95, and it has always remained a title that I recommend to friends who are looking for something with some erotic "couples appeal". I recently picked up the DVD (since I heard it might be going out of print) and thought that it'd be a good excuse to sit down and watch it again. Yeah, like I needed one. 

When this flick first came out it raised a lot of eyebrows, not only because it was ten times steamier than any of the Shannon Whirry and Shannon Tweed stuff that was out at the time, but because it delivered on psychological levels that most American softcore failed to reach. And there was that scene. Yes, you know the one I'm talking about: the scene where Monique Parent and Jennifer Burton reached into their bikini bottoms and gave their mounds a five-finger rubdown. That scene.

But let me step back to the psychological stuff for a sec. Now I don't want to get too analytical here, but there was just something about this movie that gets into your mind and probes some hidden places. Maybe it was the girl/girl seductions, maybe it was the partner swapping, maybe it was Brad's teenage experiences with his sexy step-mom, or maybe it was just the voyeuristic kinkiness of it all. There just seems to be a lot of fantasy elements that pop up in this film and it helps to make it a powerful piece of softcore without resorting to explicit nudity or graphic sex. I mean, imagine watching your girlfriend seduce your female cousin and getting to watch! Sadly, director Dale Trevillion has done little else since.

By the way, the pseudo-sex is very well done, and in an interview once (so we've heard) Monique admitted that the masturbation scene with her and Jennifer was real. No matter. You will believe it when you see it. And with some fine acting and a story that keeps the movie moving from scene to scene without losing the viewer along the way, it's probably one of the few true softcore "classics" out there. So many themes pop up it's hard to write about them all, but if you see this movie you will enjoy it. Trust me.

With a virtual "who's who" of the softcore genre for a cast, including Monique Parent, Jennifer Burton, Julie Strain, Tammy Parks, and Ashlie Rhey, this one is an enjoyable viewing experience for any softcore fan.