Review by Doug Cooper
Stars Elena Anaya, Natasha Yarovenko, Enrico Lo Verso, Najwa Nimri | Written by Julio Medem
UK Certification 18 | UK RRP £19.99 | DVD Region 2 | Runtime 104 minutes | Directed by Julio Medem
His latest effort has gone straight to DVD though, and while it has a smaller framework than his previous films, it's still worth a look. Not least for the performances of its two leads, gorgeous Elena Anaya and beautiful Natasha Yarovenko, both of whom spend most of the movie in the nude. Anaya plays Spanish engineer Alba, while Yarovenko is struggling Russian actress – or is it tennis player? – Natasha. They meet one evening in Rome and share a tryst in a hotel room there. Between bouts of sex, they conjure up playful stories about their past lives – some true, some not – while revealing what makes them tick as well as what turns them on.
Alba is a lesbian who has always been into women while Natasha is more experienced with men, but their coupling is a means to exploring their psyches and for a brief time, one night in fact, they revel in each other's company – refusing the offer of a threesome from the hotel porter (Verso) – while quietly unmasking their respective neuroses and troubles.
A two-hander that rarely moves away from the single setting of the arty and sophisticated hotel room, this is nevertheless a rewarding piece that is supremely well performed by its two hot leads. Even though they're completely naked for virtually the entire running time the film eschews soft core salaciousness. They come across as completely natural and bring real depth to their characters. Come the end, one has enjoyed their company and the journey their night together has taken immensely. Medem is a persuasive and accomplished director and this small scale tale is a worthy companion piece to his earlier efforts. Recommended.
EXTRAS ? Just the trailer.