Private Tropical 2: Sunrise Review

Reviewed by Nat Hocken  on  1/22/2003

“Sunrise” (a.k.a. “Private Tropical 2”) is a film directed by an Italian, featuring talent from the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Australia, shot on location in Cannes, France, and Santo Domingo in the Caribbean Islands. And it proves, if nothing else, that sex has no national boundaries.

“Sunrise” is, I suppose, a “couples” film. That is, it has a plot, takes a more romantic approach to lovemaking (in setting if not always in mood), and focuses almost exclusively on the male/female bond. The story involves an island in the Caribbean that two rival development companies wish to purchase for its potentially lucrative possibilities as a tourist resort. Caught in the middle are Suzy and Jamie, two co-workers who end up on opposite sides in this battle for the beaches.

The film is offered in several different languages with at least four subtitle options. What isn’t clear is whether the actors are speaking a common tongue. Indeed, I rather doubt it. Since the movie is dubbed, it isn’t necessary anyway: all they need to do is say SOMETHING; the actual lines from the script will be added later. In Hollywood, this approach would be laughed out of the theater. But this is porn, and while I’m certain there are those who will laugh anyway, I see no purpose in it if it’s going to limit their enjoyment of the film. Think of it as an exotic throwback to a time when European porn seemed somehow more exciting than the domestic variety. Or just cut it some slack because the sex is pretty good.

And the sex IS pretty good. I could complain. I could say that director Alessandro del Mar doesn’t much trouble himself with the female orgasm; I could say two of the scenes are seriously flawed; I could even say that the cumshots, generally speaking, are neither here nor there—but I’d be quibbling. The locations are pleasant, the girls are attractive, and the camerawork is outstanding; as for the sex itself, the action is usually crystal clear and the performers are into it.

Three scenes (there are seven) stand out: a bathtub scene with pretty, blonde Suzy (Eliza Brown) that shows off her gorgeous tits; a three-couple romp that features some terrific anal action from all three girls; and an FFM threesome on board a yacht that couples Eliza with Australian Jodie Moore, who make a stunning pair. Mixed in with these and the other scenes are short plot-advancers that often feature one or both stars topless (Natalie plays Jamie and shows she also has a nice rack in the first of these scenes). Del Mar inexplicably shoots his girls as if female beauty, even in a porn film, is more than pussy deep. I don’t know what he’s been smoking, but I wish he’d share it with his peers.

The “Sunrise” disc is loaded with bonus material. It includes bios of all the girls, the “Sunrise” trailer, a photo gallery, production notes, and previews. Additionally, it has a “Making Of” feature as well as a “bloopers” reel (though what the producers call bloopers, the rest of us would call behind the scenes material).

Front to back, top to bottom “Sunrise” is a good movie. The wall-to-wall crowd will want to look elsewhere, but for couples looking for a little erotic stimulation and for those of us who starting watching porn movies because they had naked girls in them, it’s 90 minutes well spent.