Taboo Identity: The Evolution of Kay Taylor Parker, A Review

Distributor: Soundview Media Partners / MVD Visual Edition Details: Standard DVD Movie Specs: Genres: Documentary Also known as: A Taboo Identity: The [R]Evolution of Kay Taylor Parker Run Time: 63 minutes Rated: not Release Year: 2017 Director: Michael P. Hanson, Craig D. Muckler Written by: David W. Wahl Cast: Kay Parker (as Kay Taylor Parker), David W. Wahl, Seka, Eric Edwards, Adam Rifkin, William Margold (as William "Bill" Margold), Leon Isaac Kennedy, Richard Pacheco (as Howie Gordon "The Ghost of Richard Pacheco"), Jill Schoelen, Craig D. Muckler, Michael P. Hanson Release Specs: Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles: none Video: Widescreen, 1.78:1 Video Format: NTSC Format: DVD Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 0 (All) Number of discs: 1

During the golden age of the adult film industry, Kay Parker was the MILF actress. Not only did her sultry performances melt the blue screen but her acting ability allowed her to bring her characters to life propelling her name to the marquees of the theaters playing the films she starred in. Starting in 1977, Kay Parker made roughly 50 adult films in eight years before leaving the adult industry, although she did show up for a non-sexual cameo role as late as 1998 when she was in Bud Lee's Naked Angel. When an adult actor or actress leaves the industry, there is always the curiosity of what they went on to do in their later life. A Taboo Identity answers that question for fans of Kay Parker.

A Taboo Identity is a well-done documentary that manages to actually explore several issues in the movie's short runtime. Obviously, the focus is Kay Taylor Parker, as she now goes by, and her transition from being an adult film actress to being a metaphysical counselor. The documentary goes over the issue she has had to overcome of her own image of self, that she is currently a metaphysical counselor, and the image that society and her fans have of her, that she is the adult film legend.

At its core, A Taboo Identity tries to break down the stigmas of working within the adult industry and destigmatizing sex itself as well as educating viewers about separating the idea of an adult movie actress (or actor) from the person themselves. These concepts are illustrated by showing Kay Taylor Parker's spiritual journey from adult film actress to metaphysical counselor.

Kay Taylor Parker is the perfect subject for this movie. She doesn't hold any anger nor does she have any regrets about having been part of the adult film industry in her past. She doesn't present any animosity toward the adult movie industry. She talks about how she was drawn to move on from the adult movie industry as it was entering the video age and how she had already been dabbling with her gift in metaphysical counseling.

Kay Taylor Parker's journey is presented by David W. Wahl, a social psychologist who works in how our sexual selves are constructed. Joining David Wahl, for reasons that are never really explained is former mainstream actress Jill Schoelen. Jill Schoelen will likely be remembered by most as the 1980s scream queen — although this reviewer's favorite film of hers is the romantic drama Rich Girl. Jill Schoelen does a good job in the movie, however, it would have been nice had the reasoning for her involvement been included — especially since everyone else in the movie had their reason for involvement explained.

The documentary starts with how Kay Taylor Parker ended up portraying Barbara Scott in the now infamous Taboo by Kirdy Stevens. Then the documentary introduces the viewer to David Wahl and his work and goes on to talk about Kay Taylor Parker's current occupation. Some of Kay Taylor Parker's former adult costars Seka, Richard Pacheco, Eric Edwards, and William Margold are also on hand to talk about time in the industry and life after the adult movie industry.

Overall, A Taboo Identity is well worth watching. The participants in the documentary are all well-spoken and the documentary gives the viewer the feeling of what it is like for an adult actor or actress when trying to move on from the adult movie industry and the stigma that gets attached to them due to their past profession. A Taboo Identity will likely make fans rethink how they communicate with their favorite retired stars of the blue screen.

Soundview Media Partners and MVD Visual have done a nice job with their DVD release of A Taboo Identity. A Taboo Identity was shot digitally and is presented in anamorphic widescreen in 480p. A Taboo Identity is presented in the 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio matted to 1.78:1. The video quality looks beautiful with a nice crisp picture and nice colors. There aren't any defects that were noticed.

A Taboo Identity is presented with an English Dolby Digital 2.0 monaural audio track. The audio for A Taboo Identity sounds good. The dialog in the movie is clear at all times and there aren't any noticeable issues with the audio presentation.

Soundview Media Partners has included some deleted and extended scenes on the release for the extras. There is “Kay Taylor Parker with David W. Wahl #1” with a runtime of six minutes, “Kay Taylor Parker with David W. Wahl #2” with a runtime of two minutes, “Jill Schoelen Interviews David W. Wahl” with a runtime of three minutes, and “David W. Wahl Interviews Seka” with a runtime of three minutes.

A Taboo Identity is a great documentary for fans of the adult movie industry, especially fans of the golden age of adult films. Not only does A Taboo Identity chronicle what Kay Taylor Parker has done since she retired from acting in adult films, the movie also tackles the stigma of life after adult movie acting and the difference between how adult actors and actresses are perceived by the public versus how the actors and actresses view themselves. Soundview Media Partners and MVD Visual have done a nice job with their DVD release of A Taboo Identity with nice audio and video quality.

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