Raw: The Rise and Fall of a Porn Star Review

Reviewed by Kate  on  7/29/2000

The intrigue of Raw goes beyond watching attractive people have sex, beyond enjoying a well-written, funny film. Raw speaks about the varying facets of the porn industry, drawing a sharp contrast between the productions of an Antonio Passolini (the writer/director) and the fuck flicks of Pierre, the director portrayed in the movie. I don't want to sound like I'm writing a college thesis here, but Raw is a lot more than plot, dialog and sex. Raw speaks volumes about the porn industry and even includes actual locations (The Stage) and extras from within the industry (I recognized a couple faces from porn sets.)

Joel Lawrence, this film actually stars a man, plays a phenomenal reluctant porn star who rises to the top, becomes an ass, and hits rock bottom. Kylie Ireland has a great performance as his innocent fiance turned sexual dynamo. And Hershel Savage is a perfect producer/agent. Great casting. Great acting.

After watching Joel (aka Jerry) audition for a mainstream movie (hysterical opening) it is no surprise that he shortly finds himself as an extra on a porn set - a porn set that is a parody of itself with cheese written all over the walls (and Antonio Passolini's signature Kennedy bust on a pedestal.) As any viewer would expect, this soon to be married man, reluctantly goes beyond extra status and gets in on a mini-gangbang. Jessica Jewel, enthusiastic and attractive except for fake knockers, is the french maid at the center of this gangbang. There's some groovin' lounge music in the background (soft enough so you can hear the moanin and groanin) as Jessica takes turns on the men in tuxedos. After a DP and a multiple facial, Joel's first porno scene is over.

When Joel goes home he finds his sweet wife to be browsing through bridal magazines. So he, of course, does not reveal his new path to an income. Contrasting the porno fucking, Kylie and Joel make love on a big, four-post bed. Joel starts off by pleasing her with his tongue (as every man should) as she whispers, "you are so sweet... I love the way you do that..." This is a wonderful couples scene with soft lighting and a slow tempo.

In steps porn producer Hershel Savage. As Hershel is convincing Joel to dive head first into the industry, he is simultaneously 'auditioning' Midori. So Hershel is on the phone with Joel and Midori is sucking his cock. I get the impression that this is Hershel's ideal scene.

When Joel meets Hershel at The Stage we get a near parody glimpse of the behind the scenes of a low-budget porno. Director Pierre explains, "This business is about Big Dicks, Big Tits, and Big Fucking Gaping Assholes!" (as the camera zooms in on his yellow teeth.) Pierre sets up the scene with an absurdly big titted woman, Keisha and Tyce Bune. As soon as the filming starts the director leaves the room (I have to admit I've seen this before.) Keisha, of course, makes this scene, but the Wendy Whopper style tits of the other girl really threw me off. To add to the parody, it's a hospital scene (so at this point in the movie we've got french maid outfit and nurses uniforms covered, prison garb is next.)

Joel, who is now Buddy Brando, initially tries to be an Actor with a capital A in his first pornos. He asks Pierre what his motivation is in a typical guard fucks hot female prisoner scene (really funny.) When he is on the cover of AVN, he complains that they didn't mention anything about his acting - to which Hershel comically responds, "what does AVN know about acting."

As he forgets about the acting Buddy Brando becomes an arrogant "I'm The Man" star. Stacy Valentine tells him she'd love to work with him and he asks her who she is. Girls throw themselves at him. We get to watch one woman masturbate to thoughts and pictures of Buddy. The new star is a complete ass to his bride to be and is essentially losing her at this point. As his arrogance kills his stardom he has a dream about his wedding. At the wedding Kylie, dressed in a classic white gown, pushes him away and transforms into stripper Kylie. She ends up screwing three guys who spew all over her face.

Meanwhile back on the porn set, Buddy is getting blown by Violet Love in his dressing room. He treats her like a whore, spilling liquor on her as she sucks his dick, and she appears to love every minute of it. He fucks her and cums on her face like the big porn stud that he is.

Without giving away the ending... you get to watch more porn set sex and the conlusion of the tale of Buddy Brando.

The DVD

The picture quality is fantastic and the extras are seemingly abundant, though abundant does not equal tremendously enjoyable. The audio commentary with the technical director, D3 and Kylie Ireland has its moments of interesting discussion, but then it has its much longer moments of boring jibber jabber. The behind the scenes was lame - not enough interviews/ candid comments - though you do get some extra sex footage. The brief bios and jump to star's scenes were a great help in learning who's who. You can watch Kylie play with herself as she watches the movie in the private screening with a nifty picture in picture feature (which you can also turn off.) And you can search around for her bonus dance - or use these directions. My favorite part of the extras was the DMJ 6 trailer - why haven't I seen this movie yet? Sorry Darkmage.

Overall

As I said before, I find it extremly interesting to watch a couples oriented, feature film with a plot centered around cum drenched, fuck flicks. I highly recommend this film, as I do every Antonio Passolini movie.