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Digital Ferox |
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Recently, Digital Ferox staffers turned to the vault and found a real gem on DVD, 1980’s Vista Valley P.T.A. In the spirit of Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia, the film is a mosaic of American life, shifting swiftly between numerous characters and varied circumstances. Starring the incomparable Jessie St. James, the film concerns the adventures of a young, nubile teacher that transfers into a troubled high school and attempts to bring some order to the chaos. As we quickly discover, the Vista Valley High School’s female staff has fallen victim to several rapes and beatings, coupled with what can only be described as a rash of illicit sex. After a rather pedestrian opening sequence in which St. James is accosted by a filthy gas station attendant, the film gets up to speed and never slows down. Worthy of special praise, is the opening credit sequence’s title song. Sung to the country classic Harper Valley P.T.A., the song lays out the groundwork and back-story that will be explored later in the film. Every scene in this film is a delight to the eyes and a hammer blow to traditional erotica. From a degrading scene of mutual masturbation between a white preacher and a black prostitute, the film continues to shatter taboos with scenes of father-daughter sex and mother-daughter sex. Moreover, all are done in the most tasteful method possible. This is particularly evident in the climatic scene when Miss St. James is raped by a student and then raped by about five male members of the P.T.A. Despite her cries to stop, Miss St. James quickly realizes that she is being overly prudish and willingly consents. Such scenes are few and far between in modern adult films. Produced by Bernardo Spinnelli, Vista Valley was shot on film and enjoyed a theater release. The DVD’s picture quality is simply ordinary though it retains the same filmic quality that many remember seeing in the stroke-house theaters of the seventies early eighties. Though St. James gets top billing, she is but one member of a talented ensemble cast. The pacing of the film is also remarkable. While the sex scenes are frequent, as well as hot and exciting, their duration is not overly long and drawn out like most films today. This is a story driven movie that does not feel caged by the formulaic pattern of fellatio, cunnilingus, and ending with straight sex. Moreover, this is a film with a message. By the end of the film, Miss St. James comes to the realization that she can't change the lascivious ways of Vista Valley. Not only can't she reform them, she realizes that she is the one who has been changed. All in all, Vista Valley P.T.A. is a smashing success. Personally, I may go so far as to write a letter to the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences suggesting that writer-director Anthony Spinnelli be given a lifetime achievement award at the next Academy Awards. Had Travis Bickle brought Cybil Shepard's character to Vista Valley P.T.A. on their first date in Taxi Driver, I can assure they would have had a long, loving, wonderful relationship. This film is a true classic. -January 29th, 2003 |
