This accomplished, if slightly overrated, hardcore thriller was directed with intelligence, verve, and some polish by Orson Welles collaborator Gary Graver, under a pseudonym. Giving one of the finest dramatic performances in any adult picture, Veronica Hart proves why Paul Thomas Anderson termed her 'The Meryl Streep of porn'; she's emotionally resonant with a solid dramatic range, and with a little redirection back in the day, easily could have made it as a mainstream Hollywood star. (In fact, Anderson wisely cast her in bit parts in Boogie Nights and Magnolia years later). The thriller narrative thread feels a bit derivative of Pakula's Klute - a psycho with an S&M fetish knocking off hookers - but Hart brings to her characterization far more depth and dimension than required. ABN is several planes removed from the mechanical, clumsily acted fly-by-night excuses for most porn features. The sex here is no holds barred and raunchy - with all manner of variations - no surprise given the presence of Ron Jeremy as a crooked, slimebucket vice cop. I didn't exactly find ABN erotic. But the movie itself held my attention due to its lead actress; I couldn't tear my eyes from Hart. I wish ABN spent a little more time exploring Amanda Heather's psychology and motivations, and less time on repetitive sexual acts - I could have done without an orgy in the middle of the picture, for instance. But if you're looking for classic porno chic with some substance, you couldn't do much better than this.
Review of Amanda by Night
