Forever Young

This porn-parody of John Frankenheimer's "Seconds" is not played for laughs, but instead writer-director Austin Ellison (a/k/a Phil M. Noir) tries for a wistful mood, but it wastes the source material. Picture devolves into an endless orgy, a pornographer's substitute for creativity.

Presented in often-confusing scenes that are neither flashbacks nor flash-forwards, the sci-fi tale has old E. Z. Ryder as a rich and crass investor who seeks a "second chance" (that would be a much better title for the video) after Steven St. Croix informs him of a rejuvenation process. He's surgically remade into a young man, played by Nick East, and Nick visits his wife (widow as part of the coverup to start him fresh) Hyapatia Lee who has inherited his money and is looking forward to a second chance to live her own life without the old coot.

Max Hardcore is quite effective as the sinister doctor who performs the surgical makeover (costing Ryder a tidy $12,000,000), though he is listed in the end credits as "Mark Davis", definitely not that famous porn actor.

Nick falls in love with photographer Asia Carrera, but is turned off completely when she throws a party that turns into an orgy. There's a trick ending that doesn't work.

Greg Steelberg contributes a lyrical musical score with jazzy overtones, but otherwise the movie is a waste of time. Bud Lee produced (and has a cameo appearance) and the feature is notable for having both his ex-wives Asia and Hyapatia in the cast.

A departure from couples film blandness for Vivid, one of the adult industry's heavy duty players, this oddity from one "Austin Ellison" (Harlan's little boy ?) proves a remarkably faithful sexed-up adaptation of John Frankenheimer's still amazing cult favorite SECONDS. It even includes that movie's devastating, unflinching final twist. If you are not familiar with it, rest assured that I am not going to give it away here ! Instead of Rock Hudson though, we have to make do with bland Nick East (who was far better in Paul Thomas' superb JUSTINE : NOTHING TO HIDE 2) as the newly upholstered incarnation of wealthy old E.Z. Ryder, which goes to show that money can buy just about anything. A prior to cosmetic surgery Asia Carrera shines as the mystery girl he falls deeply in lust with, their shared sexual footage providing the carnal highlight of this glossy grope epic, nicely photographed by Ralph Parfait, son of longtime porn purveyor Ron Sullivan a/k/a "Henri Pachard". A touching non-sex performance by still radiant hardcore goddess Hyapatia Lee, easing her way out of the industry as the old geezer's embittered "widow", makes for an added bonus. For a further dose of Ellison's endearingly idiosyncratic style, check out BODY LANGUAGE, an uncommonly lively vehicle for Vivid contract superstar Janine.