Jim Enright's Chasin' the Fifties is a time capsule of mid-90s adult cinema, blending throwback aesthetics with unapologetic eroticism. The film oscillates between cheeky homage and gratuitous excess, never quite committing to either. Its strongest asset is its playful nod to 1950s Americana-vintage diners, pastel wardrobes, and rockabilly soundtracks frame scenes that juxtapose innocence with raw sexuality. Performances lean into camp, though moments of genuine chemistry between leads Jordan Lee and Steven St. Croix hint at untapped potential. Cinematography opts for glossy, soft-focus visuals that amplify the period fantasy, yet editing falters, with abrupt transitions disrupting the rhythm. The narrative's thin veneer-a love triangle tangled in retro nostalgia-struggles under the weight of its own ambitions, offering little beyond surface-level thrills. While the film's boundary-pushing scenes remain its focal point, they overshadow character development, leaving emotional stakes feeling hollow. Enright's direction suggests a filmmaker torn between artistry and exploitation, resulting in a project that's intermittently intriguing but frustratingly uneven.
