Private Passions (1984)

Private Passions (1984). 1h 26m

“Another u0026quot;Private Lessonsu0026quot; you might think… not quite. Thereu0026#39;s a teenage boy (well in his mid-teens – I think?) and a seductive older lady (who doesnu0026#39;t really come into the scheme of things until the last 10 minutes), but this lad isnu0026#39;t really in love with her… Itu0026#39;s her daughter he fancies.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eCanadian teenager Mark travels to Europe on summer vacation to visit his uncle and cousin Tono. He also meets Tonou0026#39;s new stepmother and her drop dead gorgeous daughter Clair. Tono finds out that Mark is a virgin and tries to get him laid while also spending time playing tennis, admiring the views, drinking, smoking and hanging out with girls. However Mark begins to for in love with Clair, and the feeling is mutual at first until she breaks his heart. His obsession for her eats away at him and the relationship with Tono. So Tonou0026#39;s stepmother Kathrine steps in to mend a broken heart.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSo no it isnu0026#39;t in the tradition of the raunchy sex comedy u0026quot;Private Lessonsu0026quot;, like the synopsis of the video has you believe. It does have the elements of many films of its ilk from its decade, as u0026quot;Private Passionsu0026quot; plays out more like a generic, but awkwardly written (as the serious moments can be unintentionally laughable) and acted heartfelt teen drama about the pain and joy of your first real love and sexual experience. How sweet. Actually it isnu0026#39;t too bad, but at the same time itu0026#39;s rather forgettable posturing. As a straight out comedy it missed the laughs, one or two sequences aside and David Siegelu0026#39;s lively comic performance as the openly frank Tono gives it much added boost. Also the film is set/shot in Austria, where the beautifully framed locations makes for nice scenery and local colour. To add to the thriving decor is sultry actresses Sybil Danning (who before following this appeared in u0026quot;Theyu0026#39;re Playing with Fireu0026quot;)… she surfaces here and there, but thereu0026#39;s just not enough of this stunning lady.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe rest of the performances mainly fall on the bland side. Gavin Brennanu0026#39;s leaden acting as the sensitive Mark turns somewhat a wet blanket. Voluptuous blonde buxom Susanne Ashley looks lovely, but itu0026#39;s a cold performance. The camera really does leer on her in many shots, namely the undressing scene in the bathroom. Thereu0026#39;s also a bit of nudity and sex on show, but never caught in a crude sense. Kikuo Kawasakiu0026#39;s direction is sure-footed, but not particularly exciting due to the lack of bounce and along the way it pumps out a cheesy and mushy sounding soundtrack.”