Director(s) – Henri Pachard (The Black Aces, Sabotage) and Roberta Rindlay (Prime Evil, Lurkers)
Starring – Lisa de Leeuw (Dixie Ray Hollywood Star, Raw Talent), Lee Carroll (Arch Enemies, Lipstick Lesbians), and Ron Jeremy (Class of Nuke’ Em High Part 3: The Good The Bad The Subhumanoid, The Bite)
Release Date – 1983
Rating – 3.5/5
Blu Release – 3/5
Tagline – “The expectation. The experience. The climax!”
I’ve struggled with time management over the last few years. When I started writing reviews I could knock out two or three a day. Then the kids happened and I became addicted to the survival game Ark: Survival Evolved and found myself reviewing two or three movies a week. I had to stop this because I was falling farther and farther behind on reviews.
I recently had a movie marathon where I watched five or six horror flicks and needed to mix it up I thought this would be the perfect time to toss in something a little sleazy so I went with the 1983 sexploitation flick Mascara that was recently released on blu from Vinegar Syndrome who was kind enough to send me a review copy. Thanks guys!
**Spoiler Alert**The film follows secretary Harriet (de Leeuw) who is stuck in a boring routine. She has a sex life but it just isn’t doing it for her anymore. That changes when she meets high class call girl Lucy (Carroll) who takes her under her wing and shows her that there is more to life. She finds herself soon getting paid to fulfill her wildest fantasies but as her sexual desires are satisfied she finds herself questioning if this really was the right choice for her. **spoiler Alert**
Mascara is one of the many releases from Vin Syn that I had never seen before receiving the movie for review. I knew it would be sleazy but I had no idea it would be as awesome as it was. Honestly, I beleive that this one is my favorite sexploitation which was what I considered another de Leeuw flick, Dixie Ray Hollywood Star, to be.
The acting in this one is great which is something I rarely say when reviewing a film with hardcore scenes. The cast does a fantastic job and some of them deliver unforgettable performances even though their characters are extremely cliched. de Leeuw is fantastic as always. She’s an amazing actress and sexy as hell. She was the perfect lead for this film.
The story for this one works with the hardcore scenes but does wear a little thin as we near the middle mark. It picks back up around the third portion of the film. The hardcore scenes does very little to save these slower scenes. Finally, those of you wanting blood will be disappointed. The film focuses on the sex and the characters with no carnage to be had.
Overall, Mascara is a hardcore sexploitation flick that you will enjoy. You will still find joy in the film even if you fast forward through the sex. I highly recommend checking this one out from Vinegar Syndrome.
Special Features:
Newly scanned & restored in 2k from its 35mm original negative
Commentary track with producer/cinematographer/co-director Roberta Findlay
Feature length audio interview with actress Lee Carroll
Script gallery
Original theatrical trailer
Reversible cover artwork
English SDH subtitles
