Classic Russ Meyer film that made his fortune and his name, as well as being one of the most successful independent films ever. It still holds up today due to the colour photography, pleasing rural location work and most of all Erica Gavin's full blooded portrayl in the title role. Gavin was only 19 at the time but was working as a stripper so presumably knew something about life; she certainly did about performing. Its a charismatic, charged performance as Vixen takes all comers - mounties, a married couple, her brother. You can feel the heat coming off her, especially in the lesbian sequence. The exception is a black man whom Vixen goads into raping her. Vixen is a racist dumb character which I think partly explains the film's success - it enabled the audience to keep a distance from her, not identifying with her too much, be superior to her, while still enjoying her assertiveness and sexuality.
The DVD has two excellent additions - a commentary from Russ Meyer (who seems like an army GI who enjoyed the war so much he decided why give it up and continued to live that life for the rest of his life - making soft core porn was the only thing that offered similiar adventure). Meyer is what he is. The other one is a featurette - an interview with Gavin (looking a bit old but still bright eyed) and the black actor (looking in good shape but with sad eyes). Some interesting tit bits if you'll excuse the expression: Gavin had an affair with Meyer's associate producer which made Meyer furious and broke up a friendship, Meyer had an affair with the girl who sleeps with Gavin, the film's profits were cut into by large legal bills. He also chats about how he got his start in the business.
No comments:
Post a Comment