"Psychopathia Sexualis": Kinky sex becomes boring in hands of amateur cast

Overly ambitious may be the kindest way to describe "Psychopathia Sexualis," an unusual homage to a psychological textbook that caused an underground sensation in the late 19th century.

Years before Freud, German psychiatrist Richard von Krafft-Ebing made his life's work the pathology of what was then perceived as deviant sexual behavior. Some of it truly was of a deviant nature — vampirism, necrophilia and various fetishes that still aren't mentioned in polite society.

Krafft-Ebing dissected it all in clinical fashion through case-study observations and treatment. His famous lectures were scandalous in their time; in the wake of modern medicine, his findings are viewed as preposterous novelty today.

Movie review

Showtimes and trailer

"Psychopathia Sexualis," with Jane Bass, Bryan Davis, Veronika Duerr, Sandra L. Hughes, Ted Manson, Daniel May. Written and directed by Bret Wood. 102 minutes. Not rated; suitable for mature audiences. Grand Illusion.

It's no wonder an independent filmmaker thought some daring material could be carved from such a landmark of scientific literature. After all, who wouldn't be excited by an intellectually drawn drama of connected vignettes that illustrate the antiquated philosophy of assorted criminal sexual perversions and their "cure."

There is some titillating imagery among the Victorian corsets, knickers and intimations of forbidden lust in this erratically erotic pastiche. The sketches include narrated stories about a craven young man literally consumed with blood-

lust, and the mother whose sexual sanity is destroyed because of it.

There's the aristocratic gentleman who likes to be walked on by scantily clad prostitutes, and the spinster governess who develops an unnatural relationship with her young female charge.

The design and tone of the film are fine for their shoestring budget, but the script is seriously lacking in resolve or continuity. Yes, the medical order of the day was ridiculous, but is that the only point? Writer/director Bret Wood is also hindered by a large cast with acting skills that are amateurish at best.

"Psychopathia Sexualis" isn't sexy enough to be soft porn. Neither will it cause an excess of cerebral stimulation.

Ted Fry: tedfry@earthlink.net