by Frank Kemp, Contributing Writer
Review Warning: The following article is about the 2021 film, Pleasure (Uncut), a drama about soon-to-be adult film star. The biggest negative is, I watched the uncut version, and it is a bit of a misleading title. The film is unrated, very explicit in language and nudity, and is a very realistic inside look at the world it represents. This article contains frank language.
Content Warning: Before you go any further into the article I owe it to viewers who may be sensitive to certain content that the film mayn’t be for you. Per IMDb — Overall: 10 sex scenes (oral, realistic penetration, and masturbation), with two graphic rape scenes (a gang rape with two men and a woman, and one between with two females).
Bella Cherry (Sofia Kappel) arrives in Los Angeles with dreams of becoming an adult film star, but she soon learns that fame won’t come easy, and she harnesses her ambition and cunning to rise to the top of this mesmerizing and singular world. The film is the feature directorial debut of Ninja Thyberg, and is written by Thyberg and Peter Modestij.
If you are onboard with this movie so far, my highest recommend is to go in blind when you see it. To know too much about the direction of the film will do a disservice to your own viewing experience. It’s an emotional, surreal experience that you should experience with everything unspoiled.
The film is a powerful watch. It’s honest and direct with its messaging, which for some will be uncomfortable to watch. Early on, Bela learns that the world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are — it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. This movie hits hard from the very beginning, and it does not stop until the credits roll.
From a visual side, the directing of the film is fairly straightforward and simple. It isn’t complicated with fancy camera moves or visuals, and honestly, that is great for the story it is telling. Much like the industry it is representing, it fits right in. Simple is best at times, and I honestly feel if they went too big, it would be a disservice. Visually, Pleasure feels like it could have been made in between takes of an actual adult film, helping drive the story more into the authentic nature it is attempting to be.
At this point, I feel as if I have said everything that needs to be said about this movie in a way that would let you to decide if it is for you, so now I am going to transition into the nitty gritty of it. Last chance to turn around before potential spoiler territory.
Still here? Well, okay then.
Pleasure (Uncut)’s mission is to give you the eye-opening look at the inside world of the typical L.A. adult film world, holding up a mirror to it, while opening a window for the outside world to learn some hard facts about the industry. It is f-d up. Bellas journey is a vicious cycle of a newcomer entering this world, with the teams and aspirations of making it big. Unfortunately, like most newcomers when people know you’re new, Bella’s put in situations she does really want to be in, but she feels like they’re things she needs to do because its standard operating procedures. And the reality is, for a lot of women, it is.
After a mishap, or “misunderstanding,” on the set of a shoot, the men involved in the scene, from talent to director, offer Bella comforting words and give her options to do what is best for her. Like most predators in this kind of lifestyle, they use language to make her feel like her choice is her own, but if she takes the appropriate action that is best for her, it will also hurt her, her emotions, and her potential career. The use of such language also doubles for women not only in the industry, but in dating as well. Feeling pressure to do things one doesn’t want to do. And while she may make the decision to stay, it does not do anything to help how the actions make her feel and affect her well being.
As the movie progresses, you get to experience it all from Bella’s point of view, and the rationale she is told. Eventually, you also see her grow into one of the exact same people that put her on this path, hurting others in much of the same manner as she was. It shows the aspect of the industry in which abuse brings upon more abuse. Intentional or not, this is a very real issue that is hopefully going to become a thing of the past.
Over the past few years, there has been a titanic shift in the culture. More and more performers have turned to fan-supported content creation on sites such as OnlyFans, making them become less and less dependent on there mainstream traditional way of doing things. While there will always be a need for the old school method of doing things, production houses are slowly changing their methods to attract indented talent to work with them. Like everything, with the good also comes the bad.
Independent creators have become more and more reliant on each other, that they are no stranger to collaborating on content. As some groups get bigger and bigger, new people have also become susceptible to the same issues, I just hope, now more than ever, that people will be able to stand their own ground. The only way that can happen is with open and honest communication. Sex work as a whole has come a long way in gaining the support of the public eye.
I recommend Pleasure as a cautionary tale for people thinking about pursuing this kind of work. If one person sees this movie who is considering it, and they are giving a glimpse of how things may go, then they would know what to be on the lookout for, to avoid similar issues. Then this movie would worth it. If you’re comfortable with the content, it is a must watch.
Score: 7/10
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