Private Penthouse Box Set Review

Reviewed by Nat Hocken  on  5/2/2003

If you count yourself among Antonio Adamo’s fans, the “Private Penthouse” box set of six of the director’s films from 2000-2001 is nothing short of a treasure trove of erotic entertainment. Fans of Sylvia Saint will want to pick it up for the four titles graced by this pretty blonde starlet. The lovely Nikki Anderson stars in two of the movies, and she won’t disappoint her admirers, either. “Private Penthouse” stands as one the best porn collections the industry has yet produced.

If you like Adamo.

This collection includes “Call Girl,” “Fashion,” “Dangerous Things,” “Dangerous Things 2,” “Italian Flair,” and “The Last Muse.” It’s imperative, I think, that you appreciate the way Adamo goes about the business of shooting a sex scene to really enjoy these pictures. Not the hack a lot of directors are, Adamo’s style is unique. Now, whether it’s uniquely enjoyable or singularly frustrating depends on what you like. My own view leans heavily toward the latter.

What I appreciate most about Adamo is his eye for beauty. Sylvia Saint is a knockout, especially so in “Call Girl” where her beautiful hair is allowed to flow freely; in the later films, she ties it back much too severely. Nikki Anderson is equally gorgeous, and Adamo’s supporting casts include some of the most beautiful women in porn. A more delectable collection of female talent would be difficult to find. If that’s enough, and Andrew Blake just isn’t your cup of tea, “Private Penthouse” delivers in high style.

But I don’t think it is enough; nor does Adamo. This is hardcore, after all: the sex is the thing. What I like least about Adamo is his approach to the sex. And I want to be clear about this. Adamo’s sex scenes are hardcore male fantasies. It’s not for lack of being a guy that I fail to appreciate them as much as I might; it is, instead, that I enjoy women too much. Women, to Adamo, are little more than pretty sex toys. While I might enjoy a movie that made use of this idea for other purposes, Adamo’s movies accept it as a given. Every one of his girls moans like crazy, but none of them ever seems to cum. Even his masturbation scenes end without any real climax. Of course, his girl/girl scenes or, more often, his group scenes, include very little interaction between the girls and it’s invariably unsatisfying, both for the viewer and the girls—what kind of toys get off playing with each other, after all? I can understand the single-minded desire of a man to get off, which is what Adamo’s movies are really all about, but, for me, the victory is cheapened somewhat if the girl’s got all the emotional and physical investment in the act of a prostitute.

Nevertheless, I’d be less than truthful if I didn’t admit that some of Adamo’s scenes work on some level, even for me. Mostly, though, they work in a funny kind of way, because even though the sex isn’t particularly impressive, many of the girls are, and there’s an undeniable eroticism in watching some of these young pretty girls have sex. “Call Girl” includes a threeway with Sylvia Saint and Kate Moore that succeeds on the strength of the girls’ combined beauty. A girl/girl scene (deleted from the feature, of course, but included as a bonus) in “Fashion 2000” features Kate Moore and Jeweliette, two chicks lovely enough to make even the lousy sex watchable. Other girls who elevate their scenes with their innate beauty are Cristina Bella (“Dangerous Things”), Lynn Stone (“Italian Flair”), Natasha (“The Last Muse”), and Nikki Anderson (in every scene she’s in). Again, I’m wholly on board with Adamo’s eye for beauty.

In a more objective vein, those considering “Private Penthouse” should be aware of a few technical issues relating to the sex. All of the girls make love to the camera with their eyes throughout each of their scenes. Adamo presents all or large chunks of his scenes in slow motion, often shifting to black and white for no discernible reason. And though virtually every girl takes a facial (or a double facial) to conclude her scene, it’s rare for any of them to swallow. On the other hand, this is Private, so if you’re into anal and double-penetration, look no further, this set has both in spades.