This is an intriguing film that takes a sincere, albeit somewhat convoluted, look at one woman's odyssey in the Internet porn world.
It may seem voyeuristic, but I find it dead-on informative in a slice-of-life manner (such as the scene where Moon is judging the potential men to sleep with and commenting on their ... packages -- priceless and funny and sexy all at once). Ultimately it's about human relationships and the kind of relationships Moon (played by Juliette Marquis, who should rightfully be a star someday) wants and needs in her life. Though I'm not sure the payoff by film's end is all that deep, her journey is an interesting, self-reflective one (part of why I like the voice over and talking into the camera technique Ash employs, though that's not a consistent tool).
The lead actress herself is a breath of fresh air and quite natural. I didn't care much for Woods; though he starts well I think he tends to scene steal (same with Rappaport); the relatively no-name actors, I think, added more depth. Where the movie fails is the half-hearted moralistic turn it takes about halfway through the film, though it's honest and necessary to capture the seamier side of the industry. Some of those scenes just feel overdone and tacked on (such as the evil car salesman -- those scenes feel gross and obvious). All that said, Marquis is mesmerizing and displays some real talent and chops; I'm frankly rather amazed she's not a superstar yet. There's solid chemistry between her and her love interest, and I like the subtlety in their relationship; for once, a budding romance that's understated. I think Moon ultimately is realizing she's built up walls to control the world around her, and perhaps that's why she's yearning for s sort of "reincarnation," as she puts it.
Definitely recommended, though some will find it meanders and doesn't add up. Not me, though.
It may seem voyeuristic, but I find it dead-on informative in a slice-of-life manner (such as the scene where Moon is judging the potential men to sleep with and commenting on their ... packages -- priceless and funny and sexy all at once). Ultimately it's about human relationships and the kind of relationships Moon (played by Juliette Marquis, who should rightfully be a star someday) wants and needs in her life. Though I'm not sure the payoff by film's end is all that deep, her journey is an interesting, self-reflective one (part of why I like the voice over and talking into the camera technique Ash employs, though that's not a consistent tool).
The lead actress herself is a breath of fresh air and quite natural. I didn't care much for Woods; though he starts well I think he tends to scene steal (same with Rappaport); the relatively no-name actors, I think, added more depth. Where the movie fails is the half-hearted moralistic turn it takes about halfway through the film, though it's honest and necessary to capture the seamier side of the industry. Some of those scenes just feel overdone and tacked on (such as the evil car salesman -- those scenes feel gross and obvious). All that said, Marquis is mesmerizing and displays some real talent and chops; I'm frankly rather amazed she's not a superstar yet. There's solid chemistry between her and her love interest, and I like the subtlety in their relationship; for once, a budding romance that's understated. I think Moon ultimately is realizing she's built up walls to control the world around her, and perhaps that's why she's yearning for s sort of "reincarnation," as she puts it.
Definitely recommended, though some will find it meanders and doesn't add up. Not me, though.