Come On Get Horny: “This Ain’t the Partridge Family XXX”

There is a "Turn, Turn, Turn" moment in "This Ain't the Partridge Family XXX" that outdoes every "Turn, Turn, Turn" moment in "The Wonder Years." Why? Because the "purpose under heaven" involves Shawna Lenee.

This Ain't the Partridge Family XXX

Studio: Hustler
Director: Will Ryder
Cast: Nick Manning, Sinclair, Tori Black, Faye Reagan, Payton Leigh, Scott Lyons, James Bartholet, Madison Scott, Jaclyn Case, Sarah Jessie, Shawna Lenee, Kristina Rose, Dane Cross, Eric Swiss, and Kris Slater

Review by: Gram Ponante

Now that the porn DVD market has been thrown a lifeline by the "Not the - ," "This Ain't the -," and " - XXX" parodies, it has been interesting to watch how some of them try harder than others. "This Ain't the Partridge Family XXX" is really good, and it owes its success to its producers and cast not coasting on a few token set pieces and costumes to cash in.

Keith (Nick Manning in probably his most non-ironic performance ever) is feeling down. A terrible sense of ennui has sapped him of both his songwriting ability and his ability to get dates. His know-it-all brother Danny (Sinclair) finds an aphrodisiac oin the back of a magazine and hilarity ensues as each member of the family reaps the sexual rewards of the elixir.

All except Keith, who holds out because he's worried about his hair.

While the occasions for sex might be as contrived as the plot of a 70's TV show, that this is a parody of a 70's TV show makes the contrivances organic and fun. In fact, what makes this porn movie so enjoyable is the sense of fun throughout the scenes. Laurie (Tori Black), has the following conversation with Eric Swiss:

"Do you have any rubbers?" she asks.

"No, I don't think I have," he says. And Laurie waits half a moment before saying:

"Just don't come inside me."

And the family band is just as good/bad as it was in the original, with each member lip-synching badly at the same time they are overemoting. You might say this is pornic incompetence masquerading as artistic choice, but this isn't Eon McKai: director Will Ryder really studied the original show and the same corny humor and lightheartedness are just as at home in a porn setting.

Faye Reagan is adorable in her scene with Dane Cross and James Bartholet as Ruben might be the Charles Nelson Reilly of porn acting.

When Keith finally gives in to enhancement drugs he comes back with a vengeance, all over Shawna Lenee and two girlfriends, in fact.

He does not say "Dropping loads," however, depriving the movie's money shot of Manning's standard money shot-within-a-money shot. But I guess he refrained because the Good of the Project demanded something different of him.

But Shawna Lenee, who looks like a standard-issue blondie porn star but to her credit neither talks nor acts like one - it's like she's a dark horse behind that Clorox and silicone - has one of the best lines in the movie:

"Come for us, Keith!"

Thus the plot resolves itself and Keith learns some things in the process.

"Songwriting comes from my heart," he says. "And the reason chicks are attracted to me is because I play guitar and have great hair."

That a viewer will watch this movie actively rooting for the characters to have sex - and be rewarded - seems like a great recommendation for a porn flick.

· Hustler (Hustler.com)
· Buy "This Ain't the Partridge Family XXX" (gamelink.com)