Falconeer This film hit theaters in 1991, and played to empty houses. I was actually one of the few that saw "Wild Orchid II" in the theater. I wasn't expecting such a somber, downbeat movie, considering how the first "Wild Orchid" and "Two Moon Junction" were so much more lighthearted, sexy entertainment. Well it seems that director Zalman King wanted to create a serious film that would be respected as more than just erotic fluff. It does succeed in the fact that it is technically, a very well-made film; truly lovely cinematography/photography, stirring musical score, impressive editing, lighting etc. Even the performances were mostly good, most notably Wendy Hughes as the sinister Madam "Elle," and also Nina Sziemasko in the title role who, compared to Carre Otis, was on the level of Meryl Streep! Art direction was also excellent, with impeccable attention paid to cars and clothing of the 1950's, which is when the story takes place. The 4 star rating here is utterly ridiculous and inaccurate. The main problem with "Wild Orchid 2" is that there isn't a very large audience for a strange film like this. Fans of erotic/softcore sex films will most likely be bored with the dramatic, and depressing tale of an innocent girl losing herself in the sordid world of prostitution. And fans of drama will most likely be put off with all the sex and nudity on display, and in this film there is a LOT of that on screen. So much in fact, that the film had to be cut by almost 5 minutes to receive an R rating and play in theaters. When released on VHS it appeared uncut, and there is one sequence in particular that would NEVER have gotten past the censors. On a side note, I'm wondering if director King was at all influenced by David Lynch's "Blue Velvet," when he created this one; the two films have a VERY similar story arc, taking the viewer through a dark, sinister, seedy world of evil, corrupt people, and ending in the daylight, morning sun streaming through the trees as the two main characters find an idealistic "return to innocence." Both films take place in the 50's, and have a very similar aesthetic, and the lead character's name is "Blue." At times depressing, and surprisingly sleazy, but it does have an optimistic conclusion, and it's a film that is hard to forget.

SnoopyStyle Blue (Nina Siemaszko) and her drug-addicted jazz trumpet-playing father Ham McDonald (Tom Skerritt) go on the road. She has to sleep with Jules to get drugs for him. He crashes the car and dies. Alone, she falls under the influence of Elle (Wendy Hughes) working in her brothel. High school hunk Joshua Winslow doesn't know her secret and has fallen for her. Once he's even dragged to the brothel by his father to lose his virginity. Elle's henchman Sully (Robert Davi) rescues Blue from perverted Senator Dixon and they escape trying to live a normal life.Zalman King's overwrought style is all over this movie. It's luscious and cheesy. It's 90s late night fare. Nina Siemaszko's stone-faced acting limits this and doesn't really help the movie. It's a beautifully shot softcore porn and a slow moving melodrama.

Scarecrow-88 To support her jazz musician father's heroin habit, daughter Blue(Nina Siemaszko)loses her innocence. He later succumbs to that habit leaving her with no place to go with no money. Enter Elle(Wendy Hughes)who offers Blue an opportunity to make real money where profit is certain considering her alluring looks. Elle is the proprietor of a high-class brothel where the establishment plays host to only the wealthiest clientèle. Blue tries to hold her harbored sadness and despair in check, making the best of an unfortunate situation. But, trying to adjust to the sordid life-style of a star-hooker is anything but easy, and Blue finds a savior in Sully(Robert Davi), a driver and bodyguard for Elle. Sully is on the verge of leaving Elle because watching innocent girls fall prey to domineering Elle has almost taken it's toll on his conscience. Blue almost becomes trapped in the profession's pull for lost young women with no niche they can see in the world outside their confines, but a chance couple of meetings with a young man her own age(ironically, she makes love to him as Blue the hooker, underneath a wig which is supposed to hide her looks, I guess)begins to persuade her that life might be worth escaping to. What pushes Blue ultimately over the edge is a Senator(Christopher McDonald, of all people)whose ferociousness, and desire to place her in an uncomfortable situation regarding some political associates of his, presses her motivation to quit the business for good. Sully helps her escape to a normal life of high school, but how long will it be before her past(and Elle)comes calling? The film is certainly morally ambiguous with King not entirely indicting the profession of being a call girl. He tries to put it under the microscope with us judging through Blue and her experiences with the profession, but I never felt totally convinced he made a real statement. The film's final thirty where Blue goes to high school is balderdash, I believe, because it's so overwrought and superficial. The film does show naked bodies in various positions, but does the life-style of this profession ever truly get true dissection? I don't think that flashy visuals and a soothing jazzy score can mask the film's major problems..unconvincing performances and this whole corny melodrama that ensues once Blue and her beau begin their courtship.All that said, Nina is certainly easy to watch for an hour and 45 minutes and her beauty is quite intoxicating.

mchlanda According to someone, this not bad sequel (Nina looks hot), otherwise, not a bad movie, no sequel (or most) do not equal the original (kinda like some remakes). Anyway, DVD cuts some minutes (according to some reviewer on Amazon.com); I've got the unrated VHS. I think I'll follow the suggestion that if the unrated version (with the additional material) comes out on DVD (one day, hopefully) to get it then. If the additional footage doesn't matter, I guess some people might buy it now. Viewer's choice. That's a problem with some movies. Unless someone puts both versions of a movie on the same disc, it might be better to wait. Also, the viewer has to beware of some manufacturer's discs. I bought a version (from Canada) of a movie called Terminal Island and it cut everything, language and the ladies' scenes (you know what I mean). I had to buy it again and can't even give the other one away. Ugh! A bit of advice for buyers/viewers of movies (if they want the full unadulterated versions of movies). You've been warned.