Story Of J, The Review

Reviewed by Tristram  on  2/1/2006

Jesse Jane is the main character in this version of Pauline Réage’s Story of O. She is handed over by her boyfriend to a school of sexual training where she is subjected to some light bondage and eventually finds a sense of power by achieving insight into her own sexuality. Or something like that. Although there is a story in this picture, it mostly lies in the background. There are no natural sounds so it sort of plays like a silent picture, which is an interesting idea since this means that you get a story that provides a context for the sex without the bad acting that usually plagues adult features. The choice of Jesse Jane for the lead role is perfect since she has a very dramatic face and can act quite expressively without having to say anything.

The Sex
This is a Celeste film and that means that the sex is often in slow-motion and that it has somewhat of a ritualistic feel to it. Although there is some bondage and some hints that (storywise) the sex might not always be consensual, things never get rough and compared to the Story of O, it is actually rather light-hearted. Quite a lot of the sex is lesbian, although it should be said that when the sex does turn lesbian, the women tend to make love more to the camera than to each other.

Aesthetics
Celeste worked with Andrew Blake on his Hard Edge and it feels like at least parts of this picture were filmed in the same house as the latter one. The look of the Story of J is very polished and there is a fine attention to detail in the choice of clothes and toys. The camerawork, courtesy of Robby D., is excellent. In short, this picture is a visual treat. Aurally you are however left with a decent, but somewhat bland, soundtrack.

Summary
Like all of Celeste’s movies, you are probably either going to enjoy it very much or really dislike it. What is undeniable is the quality of the craftsmanship. If you want something in the style of Andrew Blake, but with more b/g, then this is an excellent choice.