Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Ashley Hinshaw | ... | Angelina | |
Lili Taylor | ... | Phyllis | |
Dev Patel | ... | Andrew | |
Diane Farr | ... | Jillian | |
Jonny Weston | ... | Bobby | |
James Franco | ... | Frances | |
Heather Graham | ... | Margaret | |
Maya Raines | ... | Jojo | |
Vincent Palo | ... | Paco | |
Elana Krausz | ... | Lana | |
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Isaac Fitzberald | ... | Mike G |
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Lorelei Lee | ... | Sophey |
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K. Lee | ... | Sweet |
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Princess Donna | ... | Aimee |
Sensi Pearl | ... | Vicki |
Angelina is an 18-year-old girl not far from graduating from high school. Her boyfriend Bobby suggests that she take naked pictures of herself and sell them. She is initially hesitant, but eventually does the photo shoot and uses the money to run away to San Francisco with her best friend Andrew. At a strip club party in the city, she meets a wealthy lawyer named Francis, who offers to introduce her to a glamorous world of expensive dresses and lavish parties. Angelina also meets Margaret who is a lesbian and a former porn star turned adult film director. She offers Angelina, now using the porn name Cherry, direction in her entry into the San Francisco porn industry. She makes several soft pornography films before deciding to do a hardcore film. After she shoots the film, an angry Francis chastises her before getting them in a car accident. she returns home to find Andrew watching one of her films. After an argument, she decides to leave and meets Margaret at a bar. They make out and ...
This movie had potential, but squandered it. The story of how a normal, average woman ends up in the porn industry had a lot going for it. It started well enough and seemed to be building to something profound. Instead, from a point it just drifts, and ends up going nowhere. At times it seems judgmental, then next moment titillating. Instead of objectivity the writer and director try to hedge their bets.
On the plus side, Ashley Hinshaw is great in the lead role. Stunningly beautiful, and convincing. James Franco proves yet again that he is vastly overrated as an actor, coming across as a clueless kid in a school play. He is may well be the male version of Kristen Stewart...
Heather Graham does well in a supporting role. Dev Patel seems a bit miscast in his role.