Review of Two Moon Junction

Introduction

From the pen and camera lens of Zalman King, probably best known for either his "erotic" TV series Red Shoe Diaries or big screen "erotic" outings, Nine 1/2 Weeks and Wild Orchid. Two Moon Junction came in between those 2 films.

It stars Sherilyn Fenn, probably still only known for playing Audrey Horne in Twin Peaks, or for being Kim Basinger`s replacement when she pulled out of the controversial Boxing Helena. The male lead is Richard Tyson, who has been in a few big name films since, but I`m afraid none of those performances were that memorable (to me).

The "plot" of the film is outlined above, and I`ll be talking a little bit more about it more later on, believe you me! This film also spawned a sequel, Return to Two Moon Junction which just used the characters and had a completely different cast and crew.

Video

Another day, another MGM back catalogue title on DVD, which generally means another 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer which hovers around the "above average for its age" mark. It`s about 15 years old now, and it does look its age now and again, but it`s pretty clean, with only very minor traces of dirt and dust popping up from time to time, as well as the odd bit of grain. The colours are quite good, apart from some odd skin tones.

Audio

A DD2.0 stereo sountrack, which is supposed to be stereo, but never really sounds like it is. Dialogue is clear and crisp (and awful at times), and there`s some suitably cheese stuffed "erotic" music to back up the on screen events. Although the film is supposed to be in the South of America, there aren`t too many southern drawls, despite the number of stereotyped characters who appear on the screen. No-one says "Youse a trespassin` on ma dirt farm"...

Features

Just a trailer.

Conclusion

I`m sure we all know the "give an infinite number of monkeys an infinite number of typewriters and they`ll come up with Shakespeare" theory. Two Moon Junction is the sort of trashy screenplay that they`d come up with before they reached the dizzying heights of the Bard. Do I need to mention that the film won a Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actress (Kristy McNichol)?

Let`s just do a tiny plot summary. Prom queen and belle of the ball is going to marry the clever, sporting and witty type she met at University. Before the marriage she returns home, just in time for the carnival to hit town. She meets a bit of rough down at the carnival. Can you guess what will happen next? Do you think she might be attracted and repulsed at the same time by the bit of rough? Do you think she`ll probably go for him anyway? Do you think that the folks back home will do all they can to "protect their own", even if it means breaking the law?

It`s just tawdry and predictable and laughable. Except it`s not a comedy and it really takes itself very seriously at times. The only possible reason that you might want to watch this film is to see Sherilyn Fenn looking like a cross between Lana Turner, a 1980s Madonna and Marilyn Monroe. And that`s not really a very valid reason for buying this DVD is it? I hope not....and anyway there are more "specialist" titles out there for you!

The DVD itself is standard MGM back catalogue fare, pretty good picture, average sound and not a lot in the extras department.

One to avoid really.