Cafe Flesh (VCA) Review

Reviewed by fu_q  on  4/24/2015

**Note – This review is based upon the web version of the film released on the Hustler network. As such, any bonuses haven’t been given a rating, and there could be some discrepancies between this version and the DVD release.**

Review:
In a post-nuclear fallout world, what's left of humanity finds itself segregated into two camps--the rare "positives", who are still able to perform sexually, and the "negatives", who fall physically ill if they attempt to partake in even the slightest intimacy. Of course, life isn't roses for either group, as the "positives" are impressed into performing in shady dive bars filled with leering, creepy "negatives", and the "negatives" find themselves desperately yearning for that which they can't attain. Such is the case in "Cafe Flesh", a classic, early-80's, punk-fueled flick from Rinse Dream and VCA.

Featuring short sex sequences typically characterized by outlandish, cacophonous themes and equally discordant musical accompaniment, the director effectively conjures up a dirty dystopia whose sex is distinctly subservient to its plot. This makes this endeavor an extraordinary deviation from porn norms, particularly by today's standards, and it's clear that this fact--coupled with the film's dark and twisted stylings--will likely turn off a good portion of the contemporary adult fanbase. That said, for those not so conditioned and also possessing of an open mind, there is a lot to take away from this flick. Indeed, its storyline and spectacles are more than capable of keeping the audience's interest (...as a "true" movie...), and it's nigh impossible for those who lived through the time period to not draw upon the historical context of the piece. For instance, when this film was made, the Cold War was still a distinct reality, and the concept of mutually assured destruction was very much a "thing". Images of what might happen during...and after...a nuclear holocaust darted across the imaginations and spotted the fears of the world's citizenry. Such themes, therefore, served as rich fodder for dark pieces such as this, of which there were many in the mainstream. Further, this flick was produced during the "rain coater" generation of adult films, when porn was viewed on the sly in dirty adult theaters. It's difficult not to see this work as also a commentary on its own viewers (the sexual "have nots") and its own performers (the sexual "haves"), with the "haves" performing for the "have nots" under dark and foreboding circumstances.

In terms of the sex itself, Scene One finds a bored housewife (Terri Copeland) getting it on in her living room with an African-American man who's supposed to be a rat, all as three bearded men dressed to look like babies sit in their high-chairs and gyrate, twitch feverishly, and bang their bone rattles in the background. The brief sex that ensues ends in a hefty pop on Ms. Copeland's tummy and bush out of missionary.

In Scene Two, Becky Savage plays the part of a Texas oil tycoon whose pencil (a man with a pencil head) fucks her on her desk, as her pasty-clad secretary continually repeats, "Do you want me to type a memo?" in eerie monotone...all as her boss gets laid. A pop-shot on the bush closes this short encounter out.

Scene Three finds a sweaty pair of brunettes up on stage taking care of one another in a military-themed sequence, as the sex-starved audience leers on. One of the ladies is in a Navy hat and the other bears Army attire. Sirens and marching play in the background as the duo dykes it out in a short 69 sequence. This is one of the sexier sequences of the flick.

Scene Four features the premiere performance of Marie Sharp's character, a Wyoming survivor who, when found to be a "positive", is forced to entertain. In a snazzy snooking with a New Age feel, she takes on two cocks...one white and one black...with one uloading on her tummy and bush and the other on her chest. The black one does a cummy reinsertion. Bizarre but hot.

In Scene Five, Marie Sharp performs with a traveling superstar, Kevin James, who has all of the ladies salivating. The set is one of a bed against a lit-up, dark-green background with silhouetted trees, and the two partake in some sexy oral activities before a customer (Pia Snow, a main character), whose "positive" status has remained hidden to this point, is coaxed up on stage to join them (Scene Six). She works her long-unsated frustrations out with Marie in some 69 action first, and then Kevin takes her, as well (Scene Seven). He unloads on her backside after a handful of thrusts in doggie, and the sex and story conclude shortly thereafter.

In all, this is an excellent, classic release from Rinse Dream and VCA that both effectively conveys its post-apocalyptic, dystopian themes and serves as a glimpse back into its historical context. While it will most certainly not be for everyone, those who enjoy the classics will likely get much out of it. More art than beat-off material, this one is worthy of a watch.


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