Randy Spears trades places with Brad Armstrong to direct "The Artist", a craftsmanlike work that just doesn't catch fire. With a super-duper cast of busty beauties and an effective story line I was surprised at the overall feeling of tired blood.
Armstrong stars as an artist (with all the painting done by him as well, in a Frank Frazetta heroic fantasy vein) who immediately sends the movie into "Twilight Zone" territory, as his painstakingly drawn illustrations come to life for 24 hours duration after he's completed painting them. This being a Wicked Pictures release, he tends to draw beautiful ladies, and once materialized, they have sex with him.
A workable premise for porn, but director Spears presents his series of six concise sex scenes without any real action -just static set-pieces. The film is never allowed to breathe, and ultimately it is just for the fans to enjoy the sex, as usual.
Top-billed Jessica Drake does not have a strong part, but as Wicked's work-horse actress she is game to service any and all comers. Since she is playing Brad's successor in the artistry department the script could have beefed up her role to good advantage.
The succession of huge-breasted models in the supporting cast is quite impressive, especially Exotica, Demi Delia and Michelle McLarren, latter a dominatrix of tremendous proportions. A young India Summer wrapped in green cellophane is barely recognizable.
My takeaway is that when so many fine elements are in place one has to be careful to cook the stew just right. Spears apparently went on autopilot and the result is half-baked.
P.S.: I have a pet-peeve about packaging and credits in porn, and this Wicked item lists "a Randy Spears motion picture" on front cover and "a Brad Armstrong motion picture" plus "Directed by Brad Armstrong" on the back cover, as quality control was absent.
