For most of the late 1960s and 1970s, the idea of "porno chic" existed in major cities as sexual freedoms in culture and media were adopted by the mainstream. Adult theatres became the hip spot for couples and groups to gather and watch erotic cinema as they would any other film, though with the added element of arousal in what were often multiple extended sex scenes. Before this, the only real ways to watch stuff like this was in either a somewhat tame form like Russ Meyer's nudie cuties or in private stag films. Fifty years later, it is still deeply bizarre to me that such a thing ever happened in such a mainstream context. As this generation continues to litigate sex on screen in sometimes prudish manner, it is shocking to think of young people having a nice night out and going to an adult theatre to watch something like Radley Metzger's Score. Metzger is often listed as among the best directors in this Golden Age of Porn, a director who was able to merge sexual liberation with an artistic mind. Some of his films like The Lickerish Quartet and The Opening of Misty Beethoven became sensations in the world of porno chic but Score shows Metzger at (relatively) high budget. Sex in Metzger's fictional town of Leisure is something playful for some and a way of masking turmoil for others. Elvira and Jack, a sexually promiscuous couple who maintain an ongoing score of who they can seduce, set their targets on Betsy and Eddie, straight-laced newlyweds who seem to harbor a latent fear of sex either through religious upbringing or a general shame. What's most surprising about Score is its freedom not just in sexual content but also in orientation: here, Elvira aims to seduce Betty and Jack goes for Eddie. That's really about it though no one ever really ought to complain about a porno having a somewhat thin plot. There's lots of great bits of writing here as Elvira confidently teases and flirts with both Betty and the occasional telephone repairman. There's a relaxed atmosphere to the whole thing that's very inviting, especially among the cast who play off each other well. It can feel a little ridiculous at times (having sex with the repairman in front of your friend who is awkwardly asking to leave is a fun one) but it achieves some great moments here and there of direction and even scratches at some deeper questions for our newlyweds. Score might not entirely be my cup of tea and there is still a lingering incongruence to sitting down and watching an adult film like this but I find this period of filmmaking very interesting and am happy I was able to check out at least one of its most notable products.
For most of the late 1960s and 1970s, the idea of "porno chic" existed in major cities as sexual freedoms in culture and media were adopted by the mainstream. Adult theatres became the hip spot for couples and groups to gather and watch erotic cinema as they would any other film, though with the added element of arousal in what were often multiple extended sex scenes. Before this, the only real ways to watch stuff like this was in either a somewhat tame form like Russ Meyer's nudie cuties or in private stag films. Fifty years later, it is still deeply bizarre to me that such a thing ever happened in such a mainstream context. As this generation continues to litigate sex on screen in sometimes prudish manner, it is shocking to think of young people having a nice night out and going to an adult theatre to watch something like Radley Metzger's Score. Metzger is often listed as among the best directors in this Golden Age of Porn, a director who was able to merge sexual liberation with an artistic mind. Some of his films like The Lickerish Quartet and The Opening of Misty Beethoven became sensations in the world of porno chic but Score shows Metzger at (relatively) high budget. Sex in Metzger's fictional town of Leisure is something playful for some and a way of masking turmoil for others. Elvira and Jack, a sexually promiscuous couple who maintain an ongoing score of who they can seduce, set their targets on Betsy and Eddie, straight-laced newlyweds who seem to harbor a latent fear of sex either through religious upbringing or a general shame. What's most surprising about Score is its freedom not just in sexual content but also in orientation: here, Elvira aims to seduce Betty and Jack goes for Eddie. That's really about it though no one ever really ought to complain about a porno having a somewhat thin plot. There's lots of great bits of writing here as Elvira confidently teases and flirts with both Betty and the occasional telephone repairman. There's a relaxed atmosphere to the whole thing that's very inviting, especially among the cast who play off each other well. It can feel a little ridiculous at times (having sex with the repairman in front of your friend who is awkwardly asking to leave is a fun one) but it achieves some great moments here and there of direction and even scratches at some deeper questions for our newlyweds. Score might not entirely be my cup of tea and there is still a lingering incongruence to sitting down and watching an adult film like this but I find this period of filmmaking very interesting and am happy I was able to check out at least one of its most notable products.
