Even though the late Gary Graver a/k/a porn's own "Robert McCallum", who sadly passed away from cancer in 2006, has made quite a few more accomplished adult movies than this (think THE ECSTASY GIRLS or V - THE HOT ONE), this still represents something of a landmark in the genre's time line. Main reason for this is the presence of the equally late and lamented Shauna Grant (real name : Colleen Applegate, apparently no relation to lookalike mainstream actress Christina) whose breathtaking appearance was always enough of an excuse to check out anything she was in. Another reason, if any were needed, would be the palpable erotic intensity that marks the movie's many well-done sexual encounters. But hey, a single glance at its cast list must have already convinced those in the know that this is no amateur show to begin with.
Singing sensation Suzie Mitchell (Shauna at her most sweetly succulent) wants to get out from under her contract with way too hands on manager Z.W. McCain (a typically professional John Leslie mixing menace with smarmy charm to excellent effect) and finds a private performance at the birthday party of notorious godfather Loducca (Ross Roberts) just might provide the ticket if she plays her cards right. Though immersed knee-deep in criminal activities, the mob boss proves to be something of a prude when it comes to his adored daughter Angela, engagingly portrayed by the meltingly gorgeous Laura Lazare who would go on to star in Chris Warfield's unjustly overlooked PURELY PHYSICAL. Once Z.W. lets his little head do the thinking and commits the unforgivable error of getting into hot water - literally, it's a jacuzzi ! - with the admittedly hard to resist Angela, Suzie turns to blackmail as a means to retrieving both artistic and personal freedom. Thuddingly predictable though competently written, at least on a porno scale,
SUZIE SUPERSTAR is saved in its entirety by the consummate lovemaking skills of its impressive roster of performers. Shauna's sensational looks go a long way towards compensating for her shaky thespian prowess. Her idealized romantic number with stalwart Joey Silvera has been singled out by dearly departed genre critic cum filmmaker Jim Holliday - is it just me, or is this starting to look like porno graveyard ? - as best of show, even though I personally prefer their coupling from Bob Chinn's delightful THE YOUNG LIKE IT HOT. She does manage to project a credible amount of resentment with Leslie and Best Supporting Actor award-winner Ron Jeremy as his idiot henchman whose mind along with a more prurient part of his anatomy she blows as part of her escape plan. Also worthy of considerable fan boy attention are AIM Health founder (making her a true life saver, providing much needed HIV testing for people employed by this industry) and ever eloquent spokesperson Sharon Mitchell in a snappy shower set-up with Leslie and the daunting duo of Laurie Smith (who proved she could act as well as fornicate in Howard Winters' both intimately and intellectually stimulating SNAKE EYES) and Gayle Sterling (Romeo's insatiable Juliet in Edwin Durell's formidable IRRESISTIBLE) as no holds barred groupie girls thoroughly depleting Jeremy to gain backstage access.
Production's every bit as smooth as Graver had made viewers accustomed to by this stage of his distinguished career, his own sparkling cinematography a predictable standout along with a fine original song-packed soundtrack, expertly lip-synced by both Shauna and Mitch. Though the director may have been slightly under-performing on this assignment, it's still head and shoulders above the sorry sequels that were to follow, Graver's own first attempt coming off as the most head-scratching inept of a bathetic bunch, presence of fan favorites such as Ginger Lynn, Heather Wayne and the scandalous Ms. Traci Lords notwithstanding.
