I have been quite disappointed with Jonathan Morgan's films in recent years: a series of silly and often poorly made features under contract to Wicked Pictures. His early career as actor and director was quite different, as evidenced by this terrific romantic thriller starring Serenity made 23 years ago.
Perhaps the difference is in scripting, nearly a lost art in 21st Century porn. Since industry critics and fans have been consistently vocal about their disdain for story scenes (sex is all in today's gonzo era), the lack of decent screenplays of late is easy to understand -no one appreciates them.
Here we have a highly literate script, with references to Nathaniel West and Nabokov's "Lolita" (where the title Indigo Delta is derived), by Martin Brimmer/Rodger Jacobs whose work includes such estimable films as Nic Cramer's "Looker" and Morgan's "The Gate".
The best dialog comes from Tom Byron, cast as a philosophical guy with Southern drawl who happens to be in prison as a serial killer. Serenity is fed up with her success as romance novelist "Genevieve Gerard", and wants to be taken seriously as a writer under her real name Sophie Lyons, so she interviews Byron in prison.
His critique of contemporary society and pride in his "artistic" work as a killer has a profound effect on Sophie, who has erotic dreams and nightmares as well as changing her own behavior, the subject of the movie.
Morgan's control of moods, ranging from highly romantic scenes to horror segments, would do him well in his current career rather than directing all-sex movies or dumb comedies.
Serenity's beauty dominates the show, and there's also a strong sexual performance by superstar of the future Stephanie Swift as a hotel maid dominated by Serenity.
