Published via Ecency

(source: tmdb.org)

One of the most noticeable trends of 1980s Hollywood was orientation towards male teenager audience, which meant that many of those films contained sex and nudity. Few such films, however, went that far in indulging male teenager’s fantasies like Private Lessons, 1981 comedy directed by Alan Myerson, did.

Plot is based on Philly, novel by Dan Greenburg. Protagonist, played by Eric Brown, is Philip “Philly” Phillmore, 15-year old son of rich Albuquerque businessman. When his father goes on extended trip, he leaves Philly in his mansion together with French housekeeper Nicole Mallow (played by Sylvia Kristel) and family’s chauffer Lester Lewis (played by Howard Hesseman). Like most boys at his age, including his best friend Sherman (played by Patrick Piccininni), he is increasingly obsessed with opposite sex and it doesn’t take a while before he starts noticing that Nicole happens to be very attractive woman. She, to his utmost surprise, doesn’t seem to be bothered by his attention and actually encourages him to see her naked. Philly is confused and hesitates at first, but soon the inevitable happens and he falls madly in love with Nicole. Their romance is just about to be consummated when unthinkable happens.

Private Lessons was, in many ways, a product of its era which was more libertine in terms of teenage sexuality than today. Therefore, to properly enjoy this film, viewers must accept the concept of a minor having sex with an adult person. If they are willing to do so, they would watch mildly entertaining teen sex comedy that doesn’t go beyond limits of the genre. Alan Myerson, best known for his work on television, directs his film competently and doesn’t want to stuff the film with unnecessary details that would make audience stop paying attention to physically attractive cast. For Sylvia Kristel, Dutch model who had gained status of global sex symbol with the groundbreaking erotic films of Emmanuelle series, this was the most successful role in her attempt to make a career in Hollywood. She plays her character of domestic femme fatale (archetype often used in commedia sexy all’italiana) with great skill, although some of her more perceptive fans would be disappointed with the obvious use of body double in certain scenes. Eric Brown as her partner is solid but not too impressive, which can’t be said of Howard Hesseman who plays delightfully creepy villain. Ed Begley Jr. also makes very good impression in relatively minor but very entertaining role of Philly’s tennis instructor. Despite one surprising twist, Private Lessons maintains generally light-hearted tone, giving an impression of old times when sex wasn’t taken so seriously.

RATING: 5/10 (++)