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The online film magazine Combustible Celluloid offers new movie reviews, DVD reviews, film reviews, actor interviews, actress interviews, director interviews, film books and all things cinema related for the thoughtful and passionate. Online for ten years! Over 3000 reviews!

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Cheeky! (2000)

Rating: 3 Stars (out of 4)

Young Buns

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Buy Cheeky! on DVD

I've tried to sit through a few other films by Italian softcore maven Tinto Brass, and could never reach the end. Cheeky! (a.k.a. Trasgredire) was the first that held my attention -- thanks to the adorable, pouty lead performance by the Bardot-like Yuliya Mayarchuk. With her toothy, round mouth and her carefree, bobbling walk, she has a genuine, hyper-potent sensuality. So when each character -- both man and woman -- reacts to her in a sexual manner, it's not entirely out of the realm of credibility. She plays an Italian woman, Carla, who moves to the UK and, while waiting for her boyfriend (Jarno Berardi) to join her, secures an apartment on the Thames. Her boyfriend is insanely jealous and keeps changing his mind as to whether he wants to go. Meanwhile, Carla sometimes resists the advances of her admirers and sometimes not. That's about it. Brass (best known for his work on the notorious 1979 film Caligula) is a fetishist interested mainly in the female derriere, and he spends ludicrous -- even offensive -- amounts of time photographing them. But Mayarchuk's joyous performance makes up for Brass's leering and makes Cheeky! one of the better softcore films I've seen. Composer Pino Donaggio, best known for his work with Brian De Palma (Carrie, Dressed to Kill, etc.), provides the infectious score.

DVD Details: The DVD from Cult Epics presents the uncut version of the film. Extras include an interview with Brass, trailers and a photo gallery.

Starring: Yuliya Mayarchuk, Jarno Berardi, Francesca Nunzi, Max Parodi, Mauro Lorenz, Leila Carli, Vittorio Attene
Written by: Tinto Brass
Directed by: Tinto Brass
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Language: Italian with English subtitles
Running Time: 87 minutes
Date: July 9, 2006