My review was written in March 1990 after watching the movie on IVE video cassette.
Beneath its come-on title, this sequel to Chuck Vincent's 1984 feature moves out of the exploitation film arena in a well-scripted comic look at west coast lifestyles. Clearly aimed at the video market, pic could have modest theatrical potential as well.
The Crystal of the title, Jewel Shepar, encore as the bubbly, jiggly valley gil who heads for business school to learn how to run her mom Remy O'Neill's hot tubs/health spa establishment. Evil Bart Braverman (convincing with beard as a prince) is conspiring to take over the business, even planning to marry O'Neill to achieve his ends.
Film is told from the point of view of handsome hero David Tiefen, who's working as a chauffeur to Braverman while writing a book about Shepard. Patrick Day is also appealing as a student who teams up with her to work on a class project.
Under newcomer Ken Raich' direction, the film works due to the quirky touches of Brent Friedman's screenplay. Notable is a strange but amusing subplot of a dinosaur rock guitarist (J. P. Bumstead) working as a hot tub installation man, who comes out of retirement to rock on.
Previously wasted in purely decorative assignments, Shepard comes into her own here in a funny and sympathetic role. It's not quite "Educating Rita", but the formula of gawky ingenue blossoming is a sure-fire one.
Tech credits are fine.
Beneath its come-on title, this sequel to Chuck Vincent's 1984 feature moves out of the exploitation film arena in a well-scripted comic look at west coast lifestyles. Clearly aimed at the video market, pic could have modest theatrical potential as well.
The Crystal of the title, Jewel Shepar, encore as the bubbly, jiggly valley gil who heads for business school to learn how to run her mom Remy O'Neill's hot tubs/health spa establishment. Evil Bart Braverman (convincing with beard as a prince) is conspiring to take over the business, even planning to marry O'Neill to achieve his ends.
Film is told from the point of view of handsome hero David Tiefen, who's working as a chauffeur to Braverman while writing a book about Shepard. Patrick Day is also appealing as a student who teams up with her to work on a class project.
Under newcomer Ken Raich' direction, the film works due to the quirky touches of Brent Friedman's screenplay. Notable is a strange but amusing subplot of a dinosaur rock guitarist (J. P. Bumstead) working as a hot tub installation man, who comes out of retirement to rock on.
Previously wasted in purely decorative assignments, Shepard comes into her own here in a funny and sympathetic role. It's not quite "Educating Rita", but the formula of gawky ingenue blossoming is a sure-fire one.
Tech credits are fine.