Genre: Gonza (women's gonzo)

Director: Antonio Passolini

Date of Production: May 2001

Running Time: 106 minutes

Extras: Movie Options, XXXtras, Sex on Demand

Body:

Most women's porn films (yep, all five of 'em!) are created with a delicate artistic vision; one that produces a work of great tenderness and romance, with a soft-focus production technique and an eye toward feminine sensibilities.

Yet admit it, Ladies; wouldn't you like to own at least one down'n'dirty disc that appeals to your aggressive side? You might call it your divorce disc -- or your PMS porno.

If so, "Club Sin" is the movie for you. An adult version of "Fight Club," "Club Sin" centers around a woman named Elsa who has started a most unique support group for divorced women.

In lieu of munching on bundt cake and languishing in Dr. Philish philosophies, these ladies opt instead for vigorous rounds of public sex with a bevy of handsome hunks at their disposal. OK; that works too. . .

Elsa is played by Ashlyn Gere, an adult legend who shows outstanding acting skills in this role. She's tough and brittle, savvy and sexy, and embues her character with a harsh intensity that's sometimes frightening.

Gwen Summers, by contrast, is winningly sweet and charming as her protege Angela. Both excited and repelled by the Club Sin project, she explores the darker side of her sexuality with Elsa's able assistance.

Ah, but enough about the chicks; this is a Goldenmuse review! And the first sex scene of this film features Evan Stone, a personal favorite of mine and an adult icon in his own right, as -- of all things -- a janitor named Otis. In what proves to be a skilled comic turn, he sports an adorable Southern accent and makes blue coveralls startingly erotic. No small feat, that. . .

During a break from a conservative divorce support group session, both Elsa and Angela get some dandy 'support' from Otis, who pleasures them both simultaneously.

This is one of my all-time favorite menage a trois scenes, as the women involved don't turn to one another for satisfaction or become jealous and competitive. They draw pleasure from their man and cheer each other on in a way that's truly refreshing.

The excitement intensifies in the next scene, as Elsa introduces Angela to Club Sin; an underground room that comes complete with a luxurious mattress and four ablebodied young men standing at the ready; men that include familiar and gorgeous faces like Nick Manning, Ian Daniels and Chris Cannon.

Nick is 'up' first (as he should be) in an energetic sex scene with an enthusiastic (as she should be) Club Sin member.

A quick anecdote: I first saw Nick Manning a few years ago on the cover of a women's erotic e-zine. I honestly thought someone had 'photoshopped' the dude or at least touched up his image -- no one could be that hot.

Yet in this film, Mr. Manning proves he is indeed all that and a proverbial bag of chips -- as does the very handsome Lee Stone, who 'auditions' for Club Sin (they give him a score and everything -- gawd I love this flick!) after he cheerfully declares he will 'do anything that moves.' (I move, Lee!)

Apart from the sex scenes, the primary focus of "Club Sin" is the power struggle that emerges between the domineering Elsa and the more moderate Angela -- who soon begins to yearn for a more sedate love life (party pooper). Yet before leaving the group entirely, she issues two challenges to her club leader. One involves an encounter between Elsa and Angela -- a bizarre sequence that looks more like a catfight than a love scene; the other involves -- well, I won't give it away. It just calls to mind the saying on a coffee mug I saw at an Indiana truckstop several years ago:

"Sex is a personal and private issue between the four people involved."

The cool feminist angle of "Club Sin" can be attributed to the fact that it is written by a woman -- Maria Passolini -- and that its production involved several other feminist porn luminaries, including the fab Toni English.

Despite my admiration for these women and the overall production, I admit the film's hard edge is at times overwhelming and eventually left me feeling drained. Female fans seeking light, romantic erotica should look elsewhere.

Even so, the film does achieve a gonza edge without employing force, violence or coercion -- and with a definite sense of humor which reminds us that, in the end, it's all a fantasy.