La Soubrette

As long as I can remember, exposés of the sexual peccadilloes of the chateau inhabiting upper classes have been a firm favourite of European porn directors. Though La Soubrette (titled At Your Service in the US) is largely bereft of the darker, more insidiously humorous, not to mention occasionally exploitative, approach of many earlier takes on the topic, this latter day interpretation must be primarily commended as a showcase for the immense sex appeal of its featured star turn, as Angel Dark plays the maid of the title, who facilitates assorted immoral acts in yet another debauched aristocratic household.

In orally pleasuring the patriarch of the family (Roberto Malone terminally typecast as a dirty old man who spies on his family’s sexual exploits via CCTV and two-way mirrors) or anally accommodating the young drunk driver (Titof) who is rescued and brought to the mansion to join the decadent sex games, Angel looks simply stunning at all times, whether she be busting out of her maid costume – wide angle lens providing unnecessary but enjoyable enhancement to her ample chest - or simply looking snootily down her nose.

The rest of the cast isn’t bad either, what with some buxom French brunettes backing up the slinky Slovak, the slender Czech Angelina Bella and gorgeous, pouting Hungarian Cindy Lords. From an opening wine-fuelled group scene (also featuring Cindy), where Cynthia Lavigne is double penetrated by Titof and Horst Baron, we’re given a flavour of this eccentric family in an awkward and tedious dinner scene before spying on Angel and Titof in the aforementioned anal act, and then on Angelina’s character soundly screwed over a VeloSolex by the randy gardener (Philippe Dean), who also supplies a good stuffing to Malone’s busty wife (the rather appealing Marie Lynn) in the movie’s concluding sex scene.

Curvaceous Alyson Ray has a garden threesome in the company of Titof and JPX, as her broad-minded husband, a scene that’s leant a rare rough edge by some careful coverage of deep throat action, and anal sex for afters. Angelina and Angel Dark have an energetic threesome with Phil Holiday, a scene that features a conclusion in which the mirror, the girls and M. Holiday’s semen combine in rather naughty fashion.

There’s a vague attempt to pass this improbable tale off as some kind of randy young man’s dirty dream come true, but, in all honesty, the acting and storyline are barely worth bothering about, as director Tony Del Duomo keeps a fetishist’s eye on such delicious details as stockings and suspenders, fine lingerie, knickers pulled down just so, and girls having sex while partially attired. The truth is that La Soubrette is nothing more than attractively shot, visually stimulating but utterly lightweight fluff, full of beautifully choreographed but ultimately vacuous action from start to finish. While the potential for Salieri-style sleaze is there, Del Duomo plays it pretty much straight out of the Dorcel textbook, great-looking, explicit but inoffensive porn with the mildest touch of kink. Just take your brain out of gear and it’s a delight to watch.

Note: condoms are worn for all vaginal and anal sex. There’s around half an hour of backstage footage as a bonus, which includes a brief but enjoyable chat in English with Angel Dark.