So, I finally got to watch "Sexette" this year. I must say, after hearing years of bed comments and reviews, I didn't dislike it as much as I thought I would. In fact, I enjoyed myself. Now, I'm not saying that this was the best movie I have ever seen, or the best vehicle for Miss West. It's just not as bad film as I was lead to believe. Plus, I didn't feel like I wasn't getting my time back. I think if it had been filmed in the late 60's instead of the 70's, the picture might not have been as big a bomb. Honestly, I think the film itself is taken too seriously. Mae West had been a trickster and a prankster her entire life. People went to watch her movies to laugh and forget about their troubles at the time... let's not for get that those trouble were the depression and the early years of WW2! Now, when watching this, so many people threw a fit about her age and desiring/having sex. Keeping in mind that George Burns was doing the same thing with young starlets in his act at the time and THE GOLDEN GIRLS was only seven years off in the future, it really makes me wonder, why pick on Miss West? Watching her performance in this, it seems like she is nudge-nudge wink-winking her way through it. Dom Deluise, Tony Curtis, Timothy Dalton, and George Hamilton seem to be having a great time working with the legendary performer. I also think it's kind of touching that she gets a moment with her old friend and co-star George Raft. The moment feels very full of love. Sure, Miss West was up there in years, her voice not as strong, her moves a little shaky, but thinking that this was the routine SHE created well over 50 years ago by the filming of this picture.... it's just cool to see. Her wit, charm, and star power are still evident here. Sextette shouldn't be trashed, nor should it be praised. It should be appreciated for what it is. The final film of the marvelous American institution, Mae West, getting to see her do her act that she loved doing, and had entertained millions with, one final time.
