MOVIE REVIEW
The Lickerish Quartet
ADULT CONTENT

Genre: Adult, Vintage, Erotic
Year Released: 1970
Runtime: 1h 27m
Director(s): Radley Metzger
Writer(s): Michael DeForrest, Radley Metzger
Cast: Erika Remberg, Frank Wolff, Paulo Turbo, Silvana Venturelli
Where To Watch: available here: www.pinklabel.tv

ADULT CONTENT: As I expand my review horizons, I’m excited to delve into a new genre: adult films. We’re diving into a title from PinkLabel.TV, this platform features an array of indie adult films that challenge conventional norms and celebrate diverse depictions of desire. Founded by filmmaker Shine Louise Houston and backed by Pink & White Productions, PinkLabel.TV offers everything from softcore to hardcore, with films that reflect the complexities of queer sexual desire. Please note my reviews will include adult content; if this isn’t for you, feel free to skip these posts.

RAVING REVIEW: Radley Metzger’s THE LICKERISH QUARTET elegantly balances artistic flair and sensual provocation in a grandiose castle setting. This film entwines the fates of a well-off family with a mysterious woman, spinning a tale that pushes the envelope on our understanding of reality and fantasy.

THE LICKERISH QUARTET adopts a unique ‘film within a film’ approach, inspired by Luigi Pirandello’s explorations into identity and the elusive nature of truth. Metzger’s film is an intricate mosaic of vivid characters, deliberate imagery, and sharp cinematography that turns potentially explicit content into striking visual narratives. These elements uplift the film from the realms of simple erotica to an artistic experience that invites viewers to engage intellectually with the film’s layers of fiction and reality.

The movie’s complex narrative structure might leave some viewers scratching their heads, feeling confused and puzzled. The frequent shifts in character dynamics and the overlapping of different layers of reality challenge viewers in an intriguing way that keeps you thinking. This complexity makes THE LICKERISH QUARTET’s enigmatic storytelling a perfect film to challenge thought and a fantastic introduction to erotica.

THE LICKERISH QUARTET, steeped in the cinematic style of the 1970s, eschews the explicitness typical of “porn” despite flirting with its boundaries. The film’s R rating reflects its subtlety in handling mature themes—relying on implication rather than explicit content, which creates an air of sophistication that transcends the genre. Its visual and narrative style embodies the era’s penchant for experimental, boundary-pushing cinema. It offers an experience that feels like a provocative art piece potentially edited down from something more risqué. The film’s allure lies in this suggestive portrayal, providing an enigmatic viewing experience that feels both of its time and timeless.

Beyond a scenic backdrop, the castle enhances the film’s exploration of hidden desires and voyeurism. Silvana Venturelli’s performance as the enigmatic visitor weaves through the plot, reflecting the covert desires of each family member she interacts with and deepening the film’s exploration of personal and hidden spaces.

Metzger infuses a unique blend of humor into the narrative, showcasing scenes where characters dissect their erotic experiences as though they are critics within the story. This self-aware humor, a trademark of Metzger’s directorial style, adds a layer of lightness to the otherwise intense themes of the film.

For those attuned to its intellectual layers, THE LICKERISH QUARTET dives deep into philosophical musings on perception and reality, all framed within the context of an erotic drama. This combination ensures the film stands out in its genre, challenging audiences to reconsider how art and voyeuristic pleasure intertwine.

The film ambitiously reaches for intellectual engagement and remains a provocative piece that invites viewers to ponder long-standing conventions, making it a remarkable choice for those who cherish depth and aesthetic beauty in their film experiences.

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[photo courtesy of PINKLABEL.TV, CULT EPICS]

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