Her Name Was Lisa

Her Name Was Lisa, directed by Roger Watkins and Robert Michaels, is a 1979 adult film that takes viewers on a journey through the seedy underbelly of the sex and drug trades. It follows the story of Lisa (played by Samantha Fox), a massage girl who is discovered by a photographer and sponsored by a promoter, ultimately leading to her descent into a world of kinky sex, manipulation, and addiction.

The film begins with Lisa's death, a stark and intriguing opening that immediately draws viewers into the narrative. Through flashbacks, we learn of Lisa's unfortunate fate as those who knew her pay their respects. This non-linear structure adds a layer of depth to the story, as we are given glimpses of her tragic end throughout.

The first act sets the stage for a typical erotic film, with predictable sex scenes that entice and engage. However, as the film progresses, it takes a darker turn. Lisa is gang-raped by friends of her promoter while he watches, a disturbing and brutal scene that showcases the power dynamics and exploitation prevalent in the industry. This event acts as a catalyst, pushing Lisa further down a path of degradation and despair.

As the film progresses, we see Lisa struggle with addiction and manipulation, highlighting the darker side of the industry. The story is a depressing one, with no real glimmer of hope for any of the characters. Even when there seems to be a chance for Lisa to escape her situation, she is ultimately betrayed, reflecting the harsh reality of the world she inhabits.

While the sex is not as explicit or flamboyant as other films of the era, it suits the tone and narrative of Her Name Was Lisa. The balance between story and adult content is well-struck, making it a surprisingly engaging watch. The film also benefits from a strong performance by Samantha Fox, who portrays Lisa's descent into despair with a raw and honest vulnerability.

In conclusion, Her Name Was Lisa is a dark and depressing journey into the seedy underbelly of the sex industry. While it may not be a masterpiece, it is an intriguing and underappreciated entry into the world of adult cinema. It is a grim and explicit tale that will leave a lasting impression.

It's one adult film I think my partner and I would actually want to own. Revenge is sweet for sure. I didn't mind the strap-ons either, I thought they were a nice kinky touch. The plot really works in this genre too. See it with some you either love or hate. You'll figure it out after you see the end.

Her Name Was Lisa (1979)

*** (out of 4)

Roger Watkins directs this story that starts off with us seeing a dead young woman who we learn is named Lisa (Samantha Fox). A number of people come to pay their respects and through them we see the story of Lisa and how she ended up dead.

Watkins will always be remembered for the notorious film LAST HOUSE ON DEAD END STREET but he also toyed with the porn genre and HER NAME WAS LISA will certainly appeal to his fans, although this early effort is not nearly as good as CORRUPTION. That there is without question the highlight of the director's career but there are still some good things to find in this film.

The story itself certainly isn't anything to write home about as there were several movies that used this set-up to tell its story of a young woman who finds herself dying due to how she lived. The idea of letting us know Lisa dies isn't anything original either but I thought it was decent enough to keep the viewer glued to what was going on.

Typically the stories play a part to keeping the viewer entertained but that's not really the case here because it's the sex that makes this movie so memorable. There are some pretty crazy scenes that I won't spoil here but Watkins certainly keeps your eyes wide as we get to these moments. Fox isn't exactly great in her role, performance wise, but she at least manages to keep you entertained. The same is true for Vanessa del Rio who shows up towards the end and steals the picture.

The sex scenes between Fox and del Rio are extremely erotic and are certainly the highlight of the picture. HER NAME WAS LISA isn't a masterpiece for the genre but it's certainly worth watching.

If Jerry Falwell had ever made an x-rated movie in order to show the world everything that's bad about pornography, this would have been it. There's not one scene in this entire movie---not one!---that has anything at all to do with lovemaking!

I finally got a chance to enjoy this film on DVD.I was too young to get into a porno theater in 1979 but knew about it from the newspaper ads in the mainstream newspapers.Yes, that's right,the late 70's was the beginning of the golden age of porn and the filmmakers for the most part really tried to make a film with a story and they were shot on 35mm film.The actor's and actresses's were not the buffed model perfect specimens one sees in today's releases, but most had some acting ability and your intelligence wasn't insulted with dull clinical-closeup sex scenes and no plot whatsoever.

Anyway,the film stars Samantha Fox who plays a prostitute who moves up in the world by becoming the sex slave to various people in the sex industry.The sex scenes are for the most part erotic but in a in a almost sleazy documentary way.Nothing like the polished sanitary sex scenes in DVD productions today.But what makes Her Name Was Lisa superior is that there is a real story there.Worth purchasing for your collection.