The Masseuse

The sadness that lingers over the leading male character like a dark cloud in Paul Thomas's The Masseuse is what sets apart most contemporary pornographic films from being plastic (figuratively and literally) products of a large industry. A remake of the low-key 1990 film of the same name (also directed by Thomas), this remake concerns Barbara (Jenna Jameson), a gorgeous blonde masseuse who strikes up a sexual relationship with Jim (Justin Sterling), a middle-aged virgin who begins frequenting the massage parlor. Jim immediately takes a liking to Barbara's soft touch, relaxing voice, and radiant beauty, requesting sexual favors that result in hefty monetary compensation.

Eventually, their relationship spices up a bit, with Barbara coming over to Jim's house to indulge in his shed of sex toys, whips, paddles, chains, and trinkets. Contrary to romantic (and perhaps pornographic) convention, love isn't in the air on Barbara's end. Whenever Jim tries to further the relationship past casual, compensated sex, Barbara pushes away, claiming things will get "too complicated" and reaffirming her love for keeping things simple and easy to manage.

So much of The Masseuse is heartbreaking as it is arousing. Consider the scene when Jim and Barbara are trying to negotiate a price for the night's escapades. Barbara starts at $200. "That doesn't leave me much for the week," Jim feebly replies, "how about $150?," he counters, to which she accepts. This is a sad scene, even if it doesn't come off like that, and not in a pathetic way. The fact that Jim is about ready to give up his weekly income on a woman who (a) doesn't love him and (b) doesn't really care about his personal life shows his desperation for some level of human companionship and compassion. Jim's entire life has ostensibly been about playing safe and anticipating results over process. Barbara is the first thing in his life that adds unpredictability and attention to interrupt the banal doings of his every day busy work.

The loneliness writers Dean Nash and Mark Haggard profile in The Masseuse is one even the most independent films have a hard time adequately portraying, and they do it with great pacing and situational drama. Jameson and Sterling also spark terrific chemistry, sexual and conversational, especially Sterling as an actor, who's stammer and weak voice comes through to say more about his character than he could ever effectively say himself.

The Masseuse, however, works just fine as a pornographic film; its sex scenes are erotic and methodical, taking their time to build to a rewarding and satisfying climax. Jameson's beauty and energy compliments many of the scenes, and the way both her and Sterling exercise mannered patience with the escalation of their sex makes the film that much more charming and worthy of recognition. Nothing is rushed, nothing is unclear, and the videography is pristine.

Not since the original Taboo did I find myself anticipating the actual dialog scenes more than the sex scenes in a pornographic film but The Masseuse is a film with brain and a personality to add to its explicit sex. It also features one of the first lesbian scenes I actually found myself enjoying on a sexual level, rather than just being bored and disinterested throughout the entire time. Much like Taboo in a narrative sense, if one truly mustered the motivation and maturity to watch the film, they could enjoy it as a film in addition to an arousing piece of art.

Starring: Jenna Jameson and Justin Sterling. Directed by: Paul Thomas.

Jenna Jameson has obviously tried to get involved in the "serious corner" of the porn business - otherwise she wouldn't have agreed to shoot this movie. She looks as good as ever but in my opinion its the guy's fault I dislike the movie. He doesn't try to look fascinated by this woman but seems to be pleased by himself (watch his expression after being shaven). Furthermore the story of adopting a child is inappropriate in a porn movie - people watching this might even think it's an easy and light-minded issue. And if they'd cut it out nobody would have missed it because... well, why do you watch a porn? All in all I'm not giving this movie a good rating because JJ has more ability and skill to show.

Jim Mitchell (Justine Serling) is a lonely, somewhat creepy guy, whom bored with his dreary life decides to go to a masseuse named Barbara (Jenna Jameson). He starts spending more and more time with her, becoming more and more obsessed, not caring that his co-worker (Maya Divine) is attracted to him.This is a remake of Paul Thomas's own 1990 original and I just have to say even though I do like the original version, I enjoyed this remake a bit more. Furthermore, I've never been one for more than light bondage, but seeing Jenna tied up like that was really hot. But when the action isn't focused on Jenna and Justin, the film tends to falter a bit.

My Porn Grade: B+

Usually, adult movies are dumb with no acting, no story and poor camera work. Here it's not the case and thus the movie stands out. Jenna's then husband plays a creepy, disturbed man who under a shy shell reveals to be a pure sadistic. Jenna plays a hard working masseuse who indulges into prostitution to realize her dream : adopt a baby. She is as much seduced by the dark side of her strange client as her desire for a sweet romance. So the focus is more on the characters (and they play as well as certain big names…) and the sex scenes aren't rushed. Sure as a Vivid movie, the picture quality is poor with lavished colors and a cheap production but at least, you can be drawn into something else than pink holes ! and it's also interesting for the premonition that Jenna's wedding couldn't go on forever with a husband like this !

If you ever saw the original The Masseuse, with Hypathia Lee, you pretty much saw this one too. Yes, the cast is different, and the scenes are shot different, but the lines are the same, and therefore, so is the story. Of course, you aren't planning to watch this for the story, are you? I would have rated this DVD higher, except for one issue. There are about 12 advertisements at the start, before you ever get to the DVD menu. You cannot fast forward or skip them. You are forced to wait until they are done playing. They are ads for 900 telephone numbers, other movies, and adult products. Extremely annoying, to say the least. In the future I will not be purchasing any more Vivid productions until after viewing to be sure they don't have similar ads.