SXSW Review: Elektra Luxx

Score:B+

Director:Sebastian Gutierrez

Cast:Carla Gugino, Marley Shelton, Adrianne Palicki, Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Running Time:104 Minutes

Rated:NR

When we last left her, porn star Elektra Luxx was dealing with a potential career change thanks to the discovery that she was pregnant. The father, famed rocker Nick Chapel, died in a freak accident while in an airplane laboratory, and Electra wanted nothing more than to return to a life of normalcy. Sadly, in Sebastian Gutierrez's follow-up, Electra Luxx, normalcy isn't quite ready to show itself.

Taking place over the course of one day, Sebastian's Luxx is a huge step up from its predecessor. Saying farewell to a set of characters while introducing others, the film effectively weaves in and out of several plot lines, never stopping to catch its breath. It is this type of fast-paced mentality that makes the film so intoxicating as your mind is immediately put to work to see just how all the plot lines intersect and effect one another.

I was somewhat disappointed with the deletion of both Simon Baker and Sarah Clarke; though found their replacements to be quite suitable for the job. Joseph Gordon-Levitt proves to be a catalyst for the male side of the story, bringing famed porn blogger Bert Rodriguez to life in fine fashion. Additionally, the inclusion of Malin Akerman gives us a much needed love story within all the chaos, and that leaves me in high hopes for a part three.

While the first film relied heavily on the work of Carla Gugino and her wondrous Elektra Luxx, this film goes in a new direction, using the highly contagious Adrianne Palicki to her utmost potential as Holly Rocket. Playing a slightly ditsy ex-porn star who can't quite get her words to come out right, Palicki uses her infectious humor to steal the show at all stages of the movie, giving it life just when it needed it most. Her dialogue, delivery and interaction with co-star Emmanuelle Chriqui give the film another angle, helping it to deliver on the high expectations created by its original.

Together, the unusually large cast works brilliantly together, and the comedy of writer/director Sebastian Gutierrez proves that no matter the genre, characters are what make a movie tick.

The film is infectious"”in a good way"”and will appeal to both males and females alike. The likelihood of it showing in your home town isn't good, but in the event that you do see it within the theater listings, be sure to check it out"”it is definitely not one to miss!

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About Stephen Davis

Stephen Davis
I owe this hobby/career to the one and only Stephanie Peterman who, while interning at Fox, told me that I had too many opinions and irrelevant information to keep it all bottled up inside. I survived my first rated R film, Alive, at the ripe age of 8, it took me months to grasp the fact that Julia Roberts actually died at the end of Steel Magnolias, and I might be the only person alive who actually enjoyed Sorority Row…for its comedic value of course. While my friends can drink you under the table, I can outwatch you when it comes iconic, yet horrid 80s films like Adventures in Babysitting and Troop Beverly Hills. I have no shame when it comes to what I like, and if you have a problem with that, then we’ll settle it on the racquetball court. I see too many movies to actually win any film trivia contest, so don’t waste your first pick on me. My friends rent movies from my bookcase shelves, and one day I do plan to start charging. I long to live in LA, where my movie obsession will actually help me fit in, but for now I am content with my home in Austin. I prefer indies to blockbusters, Longhorns to Sooners and Halloween to Friday the 13th. I miss the classics, as well as John Ritter, and I hope to one day sit down and interview the amazing Kate Winslet.

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