Rating: 
Summary: surprisingly un-romantic
Review: We got this DVD in hopes to see a "romantic movie" with some sensuality and good love story in it. The premise looked great -- Brazil for location, Ortis for a lead female, you name it. Here's what effectively "killed" all the expectations:
1. Next to Ortis' peachy complexion and model figure, a tiny orange, old Rourke was just plain ridiculous.
2. The "masks" scenes. There was just too much of that, and of orgy-like dances with ungainly participants. Eeek.
3. Silly dialogue. To believe that a Midwest woman would just "come up" with the weirdest story about two people she never met was a big stretch. The "business" part of the plot was not thought out at all.
4. The sex scene. Yes, it was just wrong, real or not. Again, maybe it has to do with Rourke's pronounced ugliness. There was no romance or sensuality in it, no sparkle. A scene with a couple in an abandoned building had much more fire and excitement.
The main idea, strange as it might be, is not so bad. A man disillusioned to the point of experiencing life's pleasures through other people's eyes could have been an interesting character. Hence the 2-star rating instead of 1-star.
Rating: 
Summary: CAPTIVATING, SENSUAL, VERY HOT!!
Review: WHEN I FIRST SAW WILD ORCHID, I WAS VERY CAPTIVATED BY MICKEY ROURKE. HE IS SO VERY SEXY AND VERY SENSUAL. WHEN HE AND OTIS MET AND THE WAY THE SPARKS FLEW, I WAS HOOKED. I COULDN'T TAKE MY EYES OF THE MOVIE. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ROURKE AND OTIS WAS MAGNIFICENT. THE LOVE SCENES WERE A BIG HIT WITH ME. I FELT AS THOUGH I WERE THE ONE BEING MADE LOVE TO. TO FEEL THAT MUCH HEAT AND TENSION IN A RELATIONSHIP, IS ONLY ONE I COULD EVER HOPE TO HAVE.
Rating:
Summary: an art movie, if you look closely enough
Review: Wild Orchid gave me a headache when I first saw it over a decade ago - what was all of this psychological drama? It quickly occured to me that I was watching an art film. There are scenes of sexuality that are mistaken by many as "soft core porn". I disagree -- every scene advances the story for the characters, and it is tastefully done in every instance. There is also a misconception that Mickey Rourke plays a "macho multimillionaire" -- no, he plays a sexually impotent multimillionaire that finds the will to love. This is a beautiful story, with strong characters set in an amazing city... a work of art, if you ask me.
Rating:
Summary: an art movie, if you look closely enough
Review: Wild Orchid gave me a headache when I first saw it over a decade ago - what was all of this psychological drama? It quickly occured to me that I was watching an art film. There are scenes of sexuality that are mistaken by many as "soft core porn". I disagree -- every scene advances the story for the characters, and it is tastefully done in every instance. There is also a misconception that Mickey Rourke plays a "macho multimillionaire" -- no, he plays a sexually impotent multimillionaire that finds the will to love. This is a beautiful story, with strong characters set in an amazing city... a work of art, if you ask me.
Rating:
Summary: Lovely
Review: Wild Orchid was my favorite movie of 1990. I will admit that on a basic level the plot was stupid...and non existant. But I loved it anyway. Yes there was a lot of sex in it, but (believe it or not) it was tastefully and well done as opposed to gratuitous. Lot's of beautiful men who actually know how to give pleasure to a woman. Beautiful view of Brazil.
Rating: 
Summary: Wild Orchid - both versions
Review: WILD ORCHID was released in 1990 surrounded by controversy that the sex scenes between Carre Otis and Mickey Rourke were not faked. They were a couple at the time, and it is possible that there is some truth to the rumor, but in the end does it matter? It's a typical Zalman King affair -- rather thin plot revolving around some business intrigue and mostly a sexual awakening of a girl from the country traveling to Rio. The setting provides incredible material for the brilliant cinematography, and the music is sexy and moody. A very fun role for Jacqueline Bisset, but unfortunately too little for anyone else to do other than pose and preen ... and ... well... do love scenes. Zalman King movies are soft and sensuous, and revolve around mood and sex scenes. Don't expect anything more than well-photgraphed love scenes, and you will be fine. To all you DVD geeks out there (like me) -- edge enhancemnet is at an all-time high here. Colors are good, and its nice to see this movie in widescreen format. You get both the R-rated version and the unrated versions, but this is done on sides of the disc and not by branching. You get a 2 channel stereo mix that is not very good, but probably the original soundtrack without any remastering (pity because this one needs the extra ooomph in the sound department). Grain and print flaws are obvious, the film shows its age in the transfer. But at the low retail price fans of the movie will like it, but certainly not a demo disc by any means.
Rating: 
Summary: Romanticizing Abuse/Patriarchal Sexism
Review: With personal opinions and aesthetics aside, I DO reccomend this movie. However I urge you to THINK about this while watching. That is, unless you want pornography, in which case, rent a real porn, or else be prepared for a "let-down" (pun INtended!)
This "sizzling" and "steamy"(as other reviews claim) softcore porn is the most blatant portrayal of psychologically and sexually abusive heterosexual relationships. It is movies like "Wild Orchid" that perpetuate and reinforce the stereotypes of passive, masochistic women who are manipulated and often humiliated by controlling and abusive "macho" men.(Just think of Rourke and Otis' real life realtionship-coincidence?)
As audience members it is imperative that we examine the implications and images of gender roles in this film (and all media) and how it impacts women, AND men who are dealing with abusive relationships, as well as future relationships. How does it make hetero men feel? Does it not make "control"over women seem erotic? Is this not worth considering? ...
Rating: 
Summary: An erotic masterpiece
Review: Zalman King succeeds at what he does in this film, giving audiences a kinky thrill through masterful building of erotic suspense, exotic locales and beautiful people. We watch things unfold through the perspective of beautiful Carre Otis' character, a rising star in a multinational company who is whisked off to sizzling Rio on her first major assignment.
She meets mysterious, brooding Mickey Rourke, who though unfortunately typecast, does a good job at it. Rourke's character teases the sexually naive Otis in often cruel ways, exposing her to sensuality while not delivering himself. Rourke finally wises up to what he has in Otis though, in an erotic climax.
Jacqueline Bisset is wonderful as Otis' boss, who also has a fixation with Rourke and manipulates Otis for vicarious thrill-seeking. A pity her character didn't indulge herself. I can always stand to see more of Jackie.
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: Zalman King, the reigning king of soft porn and legendary Red Shoes Diaries fame, puts this piece together that you will either call a classic or trash, depending on your view. The film has erotic scenery, Carrie Otis (good scenery in any film) and Mickey Rourke, who you will either love or hate. I cant say its a bad film but it does seriously lack a firm plot, other than rich spoiled millionare likes kinky sex with beautiful girl, hmmm, ok, and what else is new. For those looking for nice romantic film you will be dissapointed, this isnt it, but for those wanting a spicy, adult oriented film, then you will probably be enterained. There are some silly moments consistent with many of Kings films, as Rio locals get their 15 munutes of fame, but for me, there is just something missing from this film Red Shoes its not. The DVD gives viewers the choice of the R rated, or unrated versions, and to be honest, there isnt much difference.
Rating:
Summary: King of soft porn gets his feet wet
Review: Zalman King, the reigning king of soft porn and legendary Red Shoes Diaries fame, puts this piece together that you will either call a classic or trash, depending on your view. The film has erotic scenery, Carrie Otis (good scenery in any film) and Mickey Rourke, who you will either love or hate. I cant say its a bad film but it does seriously lack a firm plot, other than rich spoiled millionare likes kinky sex with beautiful girl, hmmm, ok, and what else is new. For those looking for nice romantic film you will be dissapointed, this isnt it, but for those wanting a spicy, adult oriented film, then you will probably be enterained. There are some silly moments consistent with many of Kings films, as Rio locals get their 15 munutes of fame, but for me, there is just something missing from this film Red Shoes its not. The DVD gives viewers the choice of the R rated, or unrated versions, and to be honest, there isnt much difference.
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