Hidden Obsessions Review

Reviewed by fu_q  on  5/26/2017

Review:
It's all about high-gloss, super-artsy girly action when a mysterious, wealthy gentleman employs Janine, a successful writer, to author a series of short, erotic stories for him...some taken from her fantasies and some spawning from his own. Such is the case in "Hidden Obsessions", an overall-good, 1992 release from Studio A and director Andrew Blake. Back when this film was first released, it caused quite the stir, with write-up upon write-up in various porno rags, as it featured the lovely, blonde Penthouse Pet, Janine Lindemulder, and her equally lovely (and equally blonde) dance partner (in Blondage), Julia Ann, not only in big-busted, girl-on-girl action...but in big-busted, girl-on-girl action in which the ladies taunted and penetrated one another with a dildo made of melting ice. This production was also a part of a fairly popular trend at the time involving Blake's more sophisticated stylings...and those interested in copying them. Indeed, the production values are impeccable in this flick, as are the settings, which range from high-class bedrooms to swimming pools to sets featuring more abstract, black, water-pooled sheets. Moreover, the lighting is always chosen so as to highlight the mood of the given sequence, the costuming complements the goings-on, and the women are generally quite gorgeous. To be sure, there's a lot to recommend this release--including its ~20 scenes, which have been covered in detail by other reviewers, and which include things like the infamous ice dildo scene (of course), Francesca Le having a necklace pulled from her pussy, Janine getting a riding crop stuck up hers, a steamy orgy, and so on. All of that said, however, it should be noted that too much gloss and too much sophistication can also have a downside, as well, regardless of how well it's all captured. For instance--and this is at least partially the case here--such "perfection" can take away from the heat, the raunch, and the spontaneity of the sexual activities that should form the core of any adult film, leading to a sense of detachment for the viewer from the goings-on. In essence, the film gains artistic merit at the expense of its jerk-off appeal, which is a shame, because having both is possible...albeit difficult to achieve. I suppose that ultimately, whether this production will work for any specific individual or not--and it certainly does have its moments (the ice dildo, the necklace, the orgy)--will depend upon said individual and his/her particular, pornographic predilections. I will say, though, that as one who's likely more prone to accept a less dirty, more refined release than others, I still found this one to be a touch too artsy for my tastes...so one might be able to use that as a gauge, if one is so inclined. (Rent it first.)

(Bonus-wise: There's a "Stills Gallery" included on the disc. That's it.)