This is the first porn review I’m writing here on the blog. I wanted to cover this film because I really respect the work Erika Lust is doing to create porn that is explicitly consensual, natural and respectful while still retaining that ultimate erotic edge that we crave. I highly recommend her films, particularly the X Confessions series of shorts, all of which are based on real fantasies that people have sent in.
I’d like to review The Intern, which is a full-length feature film at 1 hr 48 minutes and the first longer movie produced for LustCinema. I made three pages of notes, many of which admittedly make very little sense to me now that I’m looking back on them, but I only watched the film a couple of days ago, so it’s pretty fresh in my mind still.
You can purchase the film here, or check out the entire collection of works here.
Directed by Erika Lust / Screenplay by Montiel
Cast:
- Maddie (Lena Anderson)
- Paisley (Casey Calvert)
- Julia (Paulita Pappel)
- Michael Vegas / Kali Sudhra / Bishop Black / Alex Marteen / Andrew Juarez – all appearing as themselves
So what’s the story?
Maddie, a young American woman sets out to intern at Lust HQ in Barcelona, where all Erika’s films are made. First of all, this concept offers a really nice fourth wall break in that we get a tour of the studio, editing rooms and Erika’s office all within the narrative of the film itself.
“This looks like the apartment of a really wealthy family. It’s kinda funny that it’s actually a porn production company. It’s like you can feel the good energy in here…there’s no deranged ghosts or anything.” – Maddie
It starts with a vlog-style diary entry wherein Maddie reveals her simultaneous nervousness and excitement about interning in another country. Cut to three months later, and we understand that Maddie has gone missing (let’s not draw parallels with another certain incident here…although I totally just did). Her sister, Paisley, follows in Maddie’s footsteps, trying to backtrack over her experiences. Of course, she’s worried sick about her sister, and the anxiety sets in as she goes through all of her things, including a rainbow-coloured dildo in the underwear draw. Paisley’s boyfriend, whom she video chats with near the beginning, seems unconvinced that Maddie is in any particular danger and seems far more concerned with a family occasion that Paisley is missing out on back in the States.
Paisley gets better acquainted with Michael, with whom she is staying temporarily until this whole thing blows over and until she can feel happy that she knows Maddie is okay. She then arrives at Lust HQ to be greeted by ‘Erika’s team’, and we are treated to a series of flashbacks wherein Maddie blissfully engages in sexual situations with two of the main characters; Michael and Julia. There’s a clear bisexual swing here, and all the characters are extremely open about sex—I suppose it’s a prerequisite of working on Lust productions. I should also note that Maddie and Paisley come from a more conservative background, so coming to Barcelona is a kind of freeing experience first for Maddie, and subsequently for Paisley.
My favourite bit of the opening segment has to be the array of trophies lined up on a cabinet at Lust HQ, all of which are made using sex toys, primarily butt plugs. But they look so apt given the context.
Sex scene #1: Kali Sudhra & Bishop Black
This is the very first sex we see happening in the film, and it’s very casual. I’m not even sure if it’s really taking place or if this is some kind of drunken delusion (the office staff are out for drinks). We get an Alice in Wonderland book reference earlier, when Paisley is looking through Maddie’s things, and this scene is a little bit like an NSFW rendition of Alice falling down the rabbit hole. It’s a beautifully lit scene where Kali, the talent guru at Lust HQ, roller skates around a bar area, wearing long socks that have ‘GAY’ embroidered onto the them and boob decoration in the form of silver stars. Also, the man is donning a condom, which is always great to see in porn.
I know all Erika Lust actors do get tested regularly, but they also have a choice whether they want to use protection or not during their scenes.
Highlight?
His tongue giving that pussy some serious love, and the way she sucks his slick cock. Oh yeah, and those socks!
Sex scene #2: Michael & Maddie
Michael and Maddie’s sex scene is truly palpable, sensual, and the expressions on their faces paint a beautiful picture. This isn’t acting, this is pure, glorious fucking. Michael is a true gentlemen (not that I personally care much about the antiquated ‘ladies first’ spiel)—offering the cunnilingus first. Looks like he’s a master clit sucker! Then, she gives him a tender blowjob that seems like a buffet of meaty goodness. Michael suggests they embrace the ’69’ formation, which is beautifully framed with close-ups of their respective genitalia.
There’s a perfectly world cinema-indie vibe underpinning the cinematography here which simply invites the viewer to get sucked right the way in. Michael has the most intense eyes throughout the session, focusing on all parts of Maddie’s body with care. At one point, Maddie is almost hanging off the bed as he fucks her. It somehow reminded me of Heathcliff and Cathy in Wuthering Heights (if there was a porn version). This scene caused me to bite down on the end of the pen I was using to make notes. It was hot.
Also, holy fuck…Michael’s neck muscles!
The whole scenario is then brought down a notch by Maddie’s post-coital question to herself (again, via the use of a vlog-style diary entry on her phone)—”Does he think I’m a slut?”
No, probably not.
Highlight?
I think it’s gotta be that neat 69.
Sex Scene #2: Maddie & Julia
Now for the lesbian sex. Now, this isn’t something I usually choose to watch, even though I have absolutely no issue with it (I just prefer looking at dick, in general, ya’know…). Still, I cannot fault this. It was really, really hot, and again, framed extremely well—kind of like an art exhibition. Top marks for camera work! In a flashback, Maddie goes to Julia, who ‘comes twice a week to teach the foreign staff Spanish’ at Lust HQ to get one of her language lessons.
It soon becomes clear that neither of them are really in the mood for a serious class, and after having taught Maddie how to curse in Spanish, she ends up uttering ‘you are beautiful’ before taking the lead in pleasuring Maddie. Julia really goes for the clit suck, and there’s a great bit that reminds me of the upside-down Spider Man kiss—except, Julia slips onto the floor and kisses Maddie (who is sitting on the sofa), on the ‘lips’.
I enjoyed the scene, even if I was occasionally distracted by the really nice yellow sofa they were fucking on. I want that sofa. Also, Julia being Spanish, interspersed her orgasmic moans of ‘ah, yes!’ with ‘ah, si!’ which just added an even more international vibe to this whole thing.
Highlight?
I have to say the upside-down floor sofa lip smooch…thing.
“I’m the uptight English teacher who doesn’t know how the world works, and you’re the Europeans with your wine drinking and your party going.” – Paisley
Sex Scene #3: Paisley & Michael
Towards the end, we finally get to see Michael & Paisley’s sex scene (because it was inevitably going to happen after he walked in on her changing). This was equally as hot as Maddie’s session with Michael, but there was an element of childishness to it. What I mean by that is Paisley struggled to contain her laughter throughout a lot of it, which was a really nice quirk. At moments, it seemed like she was cry-laugh-orgasming. It was a surreal combination, but it worked. Michael was always looking for reassurance that she was enjoying herself.
Highlight?
Michael gives Paisley oral and then sticks his head between her knees and just goes “surprise!” – it felt very much like a sexy version of what Jack Nicholson does during that infamous door scene in The Shining. That cracked me up.
“Some people go to church, we go to parties.” – Alex Marteen
Honorable mentions
“I wonder when those sandwiches are gonna be ready?”
Julia & Michael’s little flirt in the kitchen
Unproblematic plot hole? The rainbow dildo that never actually gets used during the film
Lustful Lines 