Psychopathia Sexualis

An independent American art film that seems to be masquerading as Victorian-era pornography--and it's not quite as interesting or provocative as that description might make it sound.

The curiously stylized piece, shot in a muted palette with performances to match (the cast is perhaps too restrained given the theatrical framework), is dramatically colorless, but the moods and moments are crafted with kinky grace.

It's a mildly enjoyable romp.

The director's familiarity with silent cinema enhances the prudish pornographic footage, but when he starts cutting between separate perversions, I began to wonder if he was getting as bored with the material as I was.

The result is a sepia-toned muddle.

Whether in the whorehouse or the sanitarium, Psychopathia Sexualis is an exercise in unrelenting dullness.

Drearily pretentious, Sexualis has even less softcore appeal than an American Apparel ad.