Felicity

a sucker for Kit-Kats.

After the massive disappointment I had when watching The Last Jedi, it took me a lot of time to decide if I wanted to continue reviewing blockbusters because, the spirit that predated this humble blog was essentially, to document my B movies viewing experiences. However, as a film fan, I couldn't help to enter the world of major leagues, so from today on, and hopefully until 2018 is over, I will be "bringing balance to the force" by reviewing only the obscure cult films that made this blog a reality. 

Anyway, I took the time to had my feelings check for free, and now that I'm better, I no longer have a need for reviewing big movies that I know will not bring any new followers into this blog, because there are huge websites already dealing with that sort of movie genre, so "let the past die. Kill it if you have to".

Felicity is a 1978 obscure Australian/Chinese co-production which is an obvious rip-off of Emmanuelle. However, the overall feeling you get when watching the earlier, is that of a film made with love and good taste (probably due to Diane Lamond's script), so in this very rare case, I'd say the rip-off is an improved version of the well known erotic franchise of Emmanuelle (which even had porn sequels, and unwatchable softcore sequels).

It's not just what she does, but where she does it!.

Not as innocent as she looks.

Felicity tells the story of a young woman, Felicity (played by short lived Canadian actress Glory Annen), who is attending a finishing school for girls. Her budding hormones are slowly driving her wild, as she finds herself uncontrollably turned on by watching her classmates in the showers, or even being spied upon by horny local boys and groundskeepers. Her only outlet for these desires are a few unfulfilling trists with her schoolmates. Her salvation comes in the form of a free trip to Hong Kong, courtesy of Dad. She travels to China, where she is shown the sights--and the night life--by a young Asian woman (Jodi Flynn, a playmate who would later become a Bond girl in 1983's Octopussy). And so begins an Emmanuelle-esque odyssey of sex and self-discovery.

What makes this film unique is how it manages to steer clear of sleaze and seediness without ever shying away from explicit scenes of eroticism, unlike most of the productions from the genre. The movie is chock full of sex scenes, including quickies on the bus, in an elevator and a hallway, a very long Asian bathhouse sequence, Felicity spying on her aunt and uncle making love, and an intensely erotic sequence in which she is taken from behind by a man she never even sees, while watching her friend engaged in her own makeout session. 

Meeting her aunt from Hong-Kong.

Always a clean girl.

This may all sound extremely sordid, but somehow the filmmakers manage to keep it from ever becoming a sleazefest, as most of the sex scenes are portrayed as innocent, experimental encounters. Felicity eventually meets a nice guy (Christopher Milne), and soon discovers that, while sex itself is great, it's much better when it's with someone you love. The movie definitely has a more European attitude toward sex; in other words, sex is a normal, healthy part of life, which exists to be experienced and savored, an attitude which has been buried under sensationalism, puritanism and conservatism in America, if it ever existed here at all. 

The picture originally started development around 1973 but problems with raising finance and the overall marketing package put the picture into turnaround and development hell the project being shelved for a number of years until it was finally shot around five years later in 1978 and then first released theatrically in 1979. John D. Lamond initially intended to make this film after Australia After Dark (1975) but due to financing and development problems The ABC of Love and Sex: Australia Style (1978) got made first instead prior to Felicity (1978). 

Don't worry, I dig pussy too!

Who needs dicks?

The picture's eroticism was inspired by Emmanuelle (1974), The Story of O (1975), and the films of director David Hamilton. The film was creatively inspired and heavily influenced by both Emmanuelle (1974) and The World of Suzie Wong (1960).  As a matter of fact, T¿the following story elements, many the same or similar, are of note in comparison to Emmanuelle: 

1) Both films are set in the Far East. 

2) During an air travel, Felicity reads Emmanuelle Arsan's novel "Emmanuelle". 3) A couple have sex in an airplane while another person spies. 

4) Like Emmanuelle, Felicity uses a big wicker chair. 

5) Felicity is seduced by an elegant mature man.

6) Felicity knows new sexual experiences through an uninhibited young woman. 7) Felicity has sex with strangers. 

8) Felicity makes love in public places. 

9) Felicity is bisexual.  

Banging a Bond girl.

Lemme clean that boob for ya.

Much of what makes Felicity an enjoyable movie is owed to Glory Annen. She's pretty and natural, and she plays the difficult role of the saucy ingénue with great aplomb and enthusiasm. I was especially impressed by her voiceovers, her husky voice is like aural Viagra. And dramatically she is well matched by her love interest, played by Chris Milne.

Unusually for a softcore movie, the story is surprisingly subtle and convincing, and at least gives some consideration to the female perspective, at least from a fictional point of view. In addition, all the STDs Felicity never got in the movie from the many sexual escapades she had, are very real in today's world, so please use protection!.

What sets it even further apart from Emmanuelle is the omission of intellecto-philosophical bullshit. In Felicity, you find no higher truth revealing why the characters do what they do in every scene. Also, the scenes are very well crafted and not even for a second fall for that sleazy vibe most of the films from the decade had. This is a movie you could watch with your girlfriend/wife with ease without having to explain why you never told her about your secret drawer stacked with a collection of sexploitation DVDs she never heard of before.

Now, where have I seen that chair before?

Take her to the movies!

Felicity is worth seeking out if only to behold the vision of female sensuality that is Glory Annen, a lovely young woman who looks like a cross between Traci Lords and Kate Winslet. Annen is one of those wonderfully likeable actresses of the late 70s/early 80s like Diane Franklin or Judy Aronson whom one wishes had moved on to bigger and better things. Alas, although she currently runs a successful casting agency in London, Annen fell into obscurity after a few film appearances in the early 80s. It's a shame, she should have been a star.

Anyone who enjoys a good erotic movie without the sleaze should try and get their hands on a copy of this masterpiece of soft core cinema. It may seem naive by today's standards, but it will not dissappoint.

Here's the movie trailer, and let's hope I post more frequently this 2018...

By the way, happy Valentine's! make sure you invite your love interest to watch this movie. You may get better results than the usual "Netflix & Chill" crap.