The Life

REVIEW
A somewhat intriguing blend of real-life interview footage of pimps, prostitutes, johns and adult industry workers with a fictional drama played out almost entirely by Denise Richards and Darryl Hannah. Richards is a Los Angeles student working on a book about the sex industry, Hannah is her neighbor who happens to be a working girl herself.

As the drama unfolds the audience is propelled into the mind of a hooker through first hand interviews (presumably from Richards character’s own research) with various individuals (most of whom are from Spain and or Europe) involved in erotic vocations. From male gigolos, to drug addict street walkers to luxury escorts to Porn Director Pierre Woodman; all manner of sexual workers are present and accounted for in some manner. While it is in many ways fascinating stuff, and Director Luna’s numerous film tricks and frequent nudity make for a visual treat, there is truly nothing new or original gleamed from these interviews. There is even less to be made of the story of Rebecca and her prostitute neighbor. She begins losing grants and finds herself in desperate need of money to continue her work and predictably finds herself entertaining the notion of selling her body to make ends meet. Will she be able to go through with it? Will Adrianna help her? Does anyone really care?