Cashmere Review

Reviewed by Principal Skinner  on  7/1/2000

Right from the start, let me say that CASHMERE is a great-looking movie and ana amazing production from VCA. This video directed by the one and only Michael Ninn occasionally goes overboard with the digital effects used throughout the various sex scenes, but unlike his previous efforts like SHOCK, LATEX and the highly disappointing NEW WAVE HOOKERS, they never distract or get in the way of the eroticism (his best work, DECADENCE and DIVA I through III have yet ato appear on DVD.

However, I do have a aesthetic complaint about this film, which unfortunately cannot be helped due to the visual setting and theme of this movie. The powder white bouffant wigs which are placed on the head of every girl gets to be a bit much, and makes most of the girls lookalike. Costumes in adult movie are okay, but I prefer spiked high heels and stripper outfits and Victoria's Secret lingerie over period fashion designs any day. In any event, this early DVD release merely represent standard VCA excellence. The image is bright, clear and easy on the eyes {especially with all the female flesh running around), and the sound is exceptional. The whole movie is set up as a series of music videos; indeed, you can even access each "song" by title within the DVD menu. Now the truth is, the music in CASHMERE won't cause musical artists like Prince of Sting or even Britney Spears to lose any sleep over competitive record sales, but it does show originality and effort on the part of the moviemakers.

Kylie Ireland is given top billing as Penny Lane (named after the California-based record stores, I assume...just a joke), but I was more interested in scenes involving Shayla LaVeux and Vicca, two VCA contract players who have been long-time favorites of mine. Vicca looks great despite the wig in her three-way with Nikita and Colt Steele, which features some brief, but hot, dual blowjobs and and post-cum tongue-kissing by these very lovely ladies. Even with costumes similar to every other actress in the movie, both were indentifiable by their luscious long legs and non-siliconed bodies. The extremely cute Ms. LaVeaux looks even sexier in her circa 1950 cheerleader's outfit and ponytail (thankfully, she is allowed to keep her hair au naturel). Her scene is probably the best of them all, with some enthusiastic cock-sucking, hard anal sex and a satisfying facial.

Jill Kelly and the former gay porn star Eric Price are teamed-up for what must be their hundredth coupling in any VCA movie. Their scene is boring, and Jill Kelly's ever-present Tammy Faye Baker make-up is more amusing than attractive. I also could have done without seeing The Former Mrs. Paula Price lip-synch horribly to one of the slow, Frankie Avalon-type songs, although it did provide me with a good laugh. An all-girl scene with Kylie Ireland and her band was also lackluster, again due mane-ly to the mass of hair (colored pink this time) which simply distracts the other visuals. Also, some parts of this scene had an overabundance of graininess in the picture, but this may have been an artistic intention of the part of the director than a technical flaw. The remainder of the scenes are straightforward, and includes Jeanna Fine and Anna Malle in a Catholic School girl punishment scenario, which I found uninteresting (mainly because I am no fan of either actress), and an ending parking at "Inspiration Point" scene, which is not nearly as hot as Shayla's scene, but still has some hot final moments with Ms. Ireland herself.

Although condoms are used throughout, there are enough facials to make up for loss of erotic heat caused by the visual presence of rubbers. Thankfully, no multiple angles are used in this DVD, which means you can enjoy the striking on- screen visuals dreamed up by Mr. Ninn unspoiled by ugly "multiple angles" icons or graphics. The commentary by the director and star is interesting, but probably does not bear repeat listening.

While I really admired the look and feel of this ambitious effort, I enjoyed the movie more as a novelty than as pornography. Andrew Blake and Cameron Grant are still the only directors I know who are able to sustain incredible sexual heat amidst gorgeous visual settings, and Michael Ninn's work here does not quite match up to their standards.