A young infiltrator named Peter is dispatched by moral crusaders, led by Member of Parliament Henry Harding, to gather evidence for a private prosecution against fetish and S&M clubs in Britain, where many activities... more » are still illegal. Peter is thrust into the sex-glamour shock of these big clubs and parties. He soon becomes infatuated with a sex goddess from New York, Tanya Cheex. Her outrageous show and lifestyle at the House of Thwax theatens to send her straight to jail.« less
"Preaching To The Perverted is a visually stunning foray into the bondage nightclub scene, with a surprisingly gentle and heart-warming love story behind it. The photography, costumes, cast, settings, effect, and music all combine into an exquisitely beautiful and erotic film. If you want dirty "spank me till I bleed" cinema, this is *not* your film. PTTP is a gorgeous visual delight with an industrial/club soundtrack and a lot of eye candy.There is beauty, love, humor, and yes...a bit of "strapped down" stimulation. Rather like a more risque Exit To Eden, with the stage beauty of All That Jazz.The Story? Young Peter, played by Christien Anholt (Marcellus in Mel Gibson's Hamlet and a bit part in Power of One) is recruited by Henry Harding (Tom Bell), member of Parliament who heads the United Front Opposing Filth.They send Peter into the heart of the sex and fetish clubs in order to gather evidence for prosecution in his campaign to shut down the industry. Peter is a fresh innocent, who surprisingly holds himself rather open-minded in his investigation.In the House of Thwax, he meets Dominatrix Tanya Cheex (played superbly by Guinevere Turner) who begins to gently introduce him into her world.Along the way, Peter finds himself attracted to Tanya, and realizes that he does not want for her to go to jail in Harding's prosecution. He must make a choice now, not only about the prosecution, but whether the clubs actually cause any harm to anyone.What I really liked about Peter was that in all he went through, he never lost his innocence, or his inner strength. He manages to stay steadfast in his beliefs and uncorrupted, while at the same time accepting the diversity of others.And while Tanya is the ultimate beauty with her own convictions; sassy and spirited and free, she learns that sometimes soft does not mean weak.This really is a great film. I laughed my butt off at the "horse and carriage" scene, I almost cried at the ending, and throughout the entirety of it, I gasped in pleasure at the overall beauty of it. This is human nature at its best, not its worst, and as long as you are not repelled by a many "northern orbital body" scenes and a few spankings, I think that you will agree that Preaching To The Perverted is a beautifully done masterpiece. Enjoy!"
Would you like an extra pillow?
Steven Cain | Temporal Quantum Pocket | 06/29/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Finally on DVD. Love it. I first saw this mistresspiece about the same time as the equally wacky, sex-drenched Tromeo and Juliet (What? You didn't know Juliet had a lesbian lover?), and it has lost none of its magic.Other reviewers have described it well, so I won't overkill the story line. While this is a lightweight look at the S & M industry/subculture, it is genuinely entertaining, with Chris Anholt (Tia Carrere's sidekick in Relic Hunter) perfectly cast opposite the Divine Guin Turner - check out Go Fish and Chasing Amy.Apart from being sheer entertainment with a great soundtrack, the movie captures the madness by which corrupt and perverse Government officials presume to judge a subculture in which the genderless, non-hierarchical role-playing is actually very sane and healing.Hilarious, sexy, exciting. I hope they make a sequel with the same cast."
Two Stars for the Visuals...but VERY shallow
Sharon Temple | La Verne, CA | 04/03/2005
(2 out of 5 stars)
"This is just an okay, "one-view" film. It's beautiful to look at, so I wouldn't deprive anyone the chance to view it. But it's not a film you'll be happy to own, in my opinion. This is especially true if you're into the BDSM scene yourself.
My problem with it? It's too shallow -- all about the costumes and performances and the need to be flashy. This film is actually intended to "shock" but it's rather surburban. I hate the tone of "let's go check out the leather-costumed weirdos." It's rather condescending and exploitative, actually.
The story is about a young man sent undercover to investigate the "scene" and who predictably (and unrealistically) becomes involved with a Domina played by the lovely Turner (who some viewers may remember as the ball cap wearing lesbian girl from GO FISH). All the characters are utterly without substance, paper thin, portrayed in a very stereotypical fashion.
The S/M underworld is treated in an over-glamorous flashy way, with an emphasis again on costumes and make-up and stage performance. This might actually work better as a Broadway musical, like John Water's "Hairspray."
If you want to see a sensitive and heartfelt portrayal of S/M, check out the Japanese film "Moonlight Whispers." There, the director and writer, has a deeper understanding of the romantic and psychological elements of BDSM. That film doesn't portray us all like a bunch of carnival freaks -- as the media would like to believe.
So rent "Preaching to the Perverted" to view once, but BUY the Japanese film "Moonlight Whispers." I promise you'll truly love it. It may be the only authentic, non-exploitative film ever made about male submission/female dominance -- so far, it's the best one.
"
Stylish and Funny
S. Carmichael | a mountain in the south | 01/14/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a marvelous movie (not five star since I save that for things that stand the test of time) -- funny, stylish, delighting in itself. The background players, many of them actual members of the London Fetish scene, seem to be having a marvelous time and are definitely eye candy. The story is simple and the humor somewhat predictable, but the sets and costumes make it worth watching."
SPANKING FOR FUN
Amos Lassen | Little Rock, Arkansas | 12/22/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
""PREACHING TO THE PERVERTED"
Spanking for Fun
Amos Lassen and Cinema Pride
"Preaching to the Perverted" (Netflix) is a very strange movie. Once you get past the S/M theme you will find an enjoyable experience, one that blew me away. T is somewhat ingenious in the way it deals with a subject heretofore not handled on film. Just the way it uses color is amazing and the message that it sends forth is one we should all adhere to--that we can all share a common bond regardless of life style.
The story is simple. A staunch Christian becomes involved in sado-masochism and bondage and falls in love with a dominatrix. I have never understood the S/M scene and this movie doesn't help me understand in any way but it did show a side of it that I had never considered. I am sure that the entire film is much more literate to those involved but the jokes are wonderful and easily understandable. You may need a strong sense of humor and not easily offended by caged people and beatings. This is not an insight into that scene but more about how dreams come true. Here is an interesting, amusing take on a subject thought of as taboo by many. It is nice to see a refreshing movie on an aspect of life that is only whispered about. Beautiful imagery, costumes, make-up and set design as well as brilliant photography and a sensitive and smart script put this film on my tope twenty list.
Gwin Turner, as the dominatrix, is spectacular. As a visiting S/M instructor from America who goes to England to whip the British scene into shape steals the entire movie. That she is found appalling by a Member of Parliament is the theme of the movie. When a spy is sent to a kinky sex club to find out what is going on, he is soon sucked into that world. Some of the quirkiest scenes come fairly late into the film and you have to stick with it long enough to get to them but once you do the payoff is well worth it.
The acting is wonderful and the characterizations of members of that scene are exceptional. And all in the entire movie is very entertaining. The way the movie handles the Christian issue is done with taste and we see that their objections to the life style are so ingrained in them that they seems to act without thinking about what they are doing.
I have no idea what led me to this movie. I had read nothing about it nor had I head of it. I simply found it by browsing Netflix assuming that it was a gay film--which t is to a certain degree. I had no expectations so when I sat down t watch and found myself getting involved in it, I was pleasantly surprised. What it really is seems to be is a romantic comedy all dressed up in leather.
Dealing with issues of censorship and consenting adult behavior is not easily tacked on the screen and even though the film is somewhat serious, there are moments of hilarity as it deals with topics that are very difficult but are in need of being addressed. It does tend to glamorize bondage, domination and sado/masochism as opposed to the traditional seedy look about it that we are usually given (if you saw "Cruising", you know what I mean). It strikes a chord about a subculture whose image has been colored by what the public thinks about it and this film gives it a new shot of energy even though it was made ten years ago.