Cafe Flesh (VCA) Review

Distributor: VCA Edition Details: Standard DVD Movie Specs: Genres: Golden Age Classic (1980s Shot on Film), Feature Film, Science Fiction Run Time: 73 minutes Rated: X Release Year: 1982 Director: Stephen Sayadian (as Rinse Dream) Written by: Jerry Stahl (as Herbert W. Day), Stephen Sayadian (as Rinse Dream) Director of Photography: Francis Delia (as F.X. Pope) Cast: Andrew Nichols, Michelle Bauer (as Pia Snow), Paul McGibboney, Marie Sharp, Tantala Ray (as Darcy Nychols), Joey Lennon, Neil Podorecki, Dennis Edwards (as Robert Dennis), Kevin James (as Kevin Jay), Ken Starbuck (as Starbuck), Becky Savage, Richard Belzer (as Richard Bulzer), Dondi Bastone, Paul Berthell (as Pez D. Spencer), Holly Waters, Autumn True, Elizabeth Anastasia, Polly Ester, Michael Cola, Erica Nile, Angel Selby, D'Elliot Mercussi, Kim Collier, Jeff Conner, Sue Ravan, Terri Copeland Release Specs: Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono Subtitles: none Video: Full Frame, 1.33:1 Video Format: NTSC Format: DVD Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 0 (All) Number of discs: 1 Disc: DVD 5 (SS, SL) Special Features: Cast, Photo Gallery, Other Titles, Credits, Internet DVD-ROM Special Features: none

Synopsis:
Five years after the nuclear war of WWIII, 99% of the survivors have become worse than sexually impotent, they get violently ill from sensual touch. Café Flesh is a nightclub where the remaining 1% of the population, the lucky few who can still have sex, have to perform for the majority.

Video/Audio:
Café Flesh is presented in the full screen aspect ratio, 1.33:1, and given the weird style in the film, I have no idea whether this was the original aspect ratio for the film or not. The picture, as can be expected due to the age, is not perfect with artifacts throughout. There are also a few blemishes through the movie as well.

The available audio track for the film is a 2.0 English Mono track. The original audio for the film sounds like it was cheaply done and this track presents all of its cheapness in digital splendor. The audio is clear and can easily be heard above the music. No other language tracks and no subtitle options are available.

Cut Warning:
A two minute scene featuring Max being dragged from the cafe and being killed by enforcers has been cut from the film, which is unnoticeable unless you knew it was there.

Chapters/Time Code:
There are five chapters available from the main menu for Café Flesh which provides no where near adequate navigation through the film. Given the style and nature of the film, roughly 20 chapters might have provided decent navigation. There is a time code available for this feature, so time searching is also available.

Special Features:
For a classic film of this nature, VCA's disc for Café Flesh is essentially bare bones. Cast is a cast listing for the feature film with a Jump to Scene feature for Pia Snow, Terri Copeland and Becky Savage. Photo Gallery is a collection of 11 photos on a minute and 25-second track. Other Titles show the boxes, no previews, for The Devil in Miss Jones 2, Chameleons: Not the Sequel, and New Wave Hookers. Credits are the credits for the DVD Mastering. Internet is an advert for the VCA Internet presence. None of the features here compliment the film at all and therefore aren't worth considering when making a rental/purchase decision.

Review:
Café Flesh is a classic adult film from the golden age and I can say I have never seen a film like it before. The story, truly an original, is very well developed, much more than the usual adult film, even those from the golden age. There are incredibly long dialog scenes throughout the film. One aspect I didn't like was the film seemed to stop, instead of really end, like there was more to the story but it wasn't made for some reason. The film is truly bizarre too. I'll get into some of the details on that in the sex portion of the review. Much work went into the sets, costuming and make up as well creating a great view of the post nuclear future.

The sex in Café Flesh is the downfall of the film, which is very bad for an adult film. The majority of the sex scenes are very short, even for those made in the golden age, lasting less than two minutes each. The scenes aren't very hot a combination of the filming technique and the weirdness of the scenes. The majority of the scenes are filmed showing a series of shots close up on the action only, which leaves out the heat from the scene. And then there is just the inherent weirdness in the film. Most of the male performers in the film are dressed up as odd creatures/objects. In one scene the male is dressed as a rat milkman and in another, the male is dressed as an oversized pencil in a suit. Then we get to the backgrounds of the scenes which add to the outlandish factor of the film. A perfect example is in the first sex scene when three men are dressed as babies in high chairs in the background of the scene. All combined, these detract from the erotic factor of the film heavily.

As for how the cast looks, the males are hard to rate as the only one who shows his face is the male who plays Johnny Rico in the last scene in the film. The females are rather plain, which gives them the girl-next-door quality. The cast is rather hairy, as they are in most of the classics, which might turn some people off. One note that some might find interesting is actress Pia Snow, who plays Lonna, also acted in B-movies under the names Michelle Bauer and Michelle McClennan.

If you are looking to watch Café Flesh, don't watch it as a sex film or you will find yourself very disappointed. If you watch it as a B-grade sci-fi film with hardcore portions, you will have a far more rewarding experience from the film.

The Money Shot:
Café Flesh has got to be, by far, the most bizarre adult film I have ever seen. Although the sex isn't very hot, the finished product is a very decent film. I would recommend renting it as most people will probably never want to see Café Flesh again after their first viewing.

Past Reviews Interviews