IMDb RATING
5.6/10
4.5K
YOUR RATING
A night in the life of a cynical prostitute forms the basis of Ken Russell's portrait of the world's oldest profession.A night in the life of a cynical prostitute forms the basis of Ken Russell's portrait of the world's oldest profession.A night in the life of a cynical prostitute forms the basis of Ken Russell's portrait of the world's oldest profession.
Sanjay Chandani
- Indian
- (as Sanjay)
Ginger Lynn
- Wounded Girl
- (as Ginger Lynn Allen)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDirector Ken Russell made the movie as a response to Người Đàn Bà Đẹp (1990).
- GoofsWhen Liz gives the finger to the anal-sex enthusiast in the opening scene, a person is walking through the tunnel toward her. When she turns around a moment later, the pedestrian disappears.
- Quotes
Man in Car: I wanna fuck you up the ass!
Liz: You can stick it up your own, asshole!
Man in Car: Ha ha ha ha ha, I would if I could, bitch!
- Crazy creditsCredits have MCMLXXXXI for 1991, should read MCMXCI.
- Alternate versionsAvailable in three different versions: a 85 minutes NC17-rated version, originally released in US theaters; a 80 minutes R-rated video version, which features some cuts and is sometimes repackaged on video under the title "If you can't say it, see it"; and the uncut 92minutes version released in Europe.
- SoundtracksDOING THE BANG
Produced & Performed by Fascinating Force
Written by P. Nero, H. Nero, J. Spivey, T. Keith & W. Fratacci
Courtesy of Select Records
Featured review
Low budget hurts
A prostitute named Liz (Theresa Russell) relates her life and times to the viewer. She's running away from her vicious pimp (Benjamin Mouton) who wants to kill her. Rasta (Antonio Fargas) pops up from time to time to inexplicably help her.
This was made in response to "Pretty Woman" (which actually made prostitution look glamorous). Director Ken Russell had trouble getting funding for this--no actress would take the role and the title alone scared away investors. Finally Theresa Russell (no relation) agreed to do it but he still had trouble getting funds. The movie was cheaply made and it shows in some of the sets. It also prevents Russell from any overindulgences (which are usually the highlights of his films). It comes off, cinematically, kind of muted.
The acting carries this. Theresa is a great actress--she pulls off the role showing the humor and pain in equal doses. Also she has quite a few long monologues which she pulls off without a hitch. Mouton is also good as her slimy pimp and it's always good to see Fargas in anything (although his character makes no sense).
The screenplay is great--it doesn't shy away from any of the realities of prostitution and is quite graphic. Nothing is really shown but the descriptions and sounds make it quite clear what's going on. It does fall apart at the end leaving a conclusion that was totally unbelievable. Some posters have complained that Russell is too glamorous to be a prostitute. That's true--but who wants to watch a movie with a real prostitute who aren't exactly attractive and are in terrible shape? Also there are a few cute references to earlier Russell films here--one movie theatre is playing "Lair of the White Worm" and another is playing a porno film starring China Blue (the character Kathleen Turner played in his "Crimes of Passion").
I saw this originally in 1991 in a theatre in it's NC-17 version. The one I saw on cable was R rated and dreadfully edited. The cuts are obvious and in one stupid moment a word is bleeped out (????). It still works as an R rated but try to find the uncut version. Good movie but the low budget hurts.
This was made in response to "Pretty Woman" (which actually made prostitution look glamorous). Director Ken Russell had trouble getting funding for this--no actress would take the role and the title alone scared away investors. Finally Theresa Russell (no relation) agreed to do it but he still had trouble getting funds. The movie was cheaply made and it shows in some of the sets. It also prevents Russell from any overindulgences (which are usually the highlights of his films). It comes off, cinematically, kind of muted.
The acting carries this. Theresa is a great actress--she pulls off the role showing the humor and pain in equal doses. Also she has quite a few long monologues which she pulls off without a hitch. Mouton is also good as her slimy pimp and it's always good to see Fargas in anything (although his character makes no sense).
The screenplay is great--it doesn't shy away from any of the realities of prostitution and is quite graphic. Nothing is really shown but the descriptions and sounds make it quite clear what's going on. It does fall apart at the end leaving a conclusion that was totally unbelievable. Some posters have complained that Russell is too glamorous to be a prostitute. That's true--but who wants to watch a movie with a real prostitute who aren't exactly attractive and are in terrible shape? Also there are a few cute references to earlier Russell films here--one movie theatre is playing "Lair of the White Worm" and another is playing a porno film starring China Blue (the character Kathleen Turner played in his "Crimes of Passion").
I saw this originally in 1991 in a theatre in it's NC-17 version. The one I saw on cable was R rated and dreadfully edited. The cuts are obvious and in one stupid moment a word is bleeped out (????). It still works as an R rated but try to find the uncut version. Good movie but the low budget hurts.
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- If You Can't Say It... Just See It
- Filming locations
- Hyatt Regency Century Plaza - 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, California, USA(soliloquy in front of fountain)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $1,008,404
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $165,534
- Oct 6, 1991
- Gross worldwide
- $1,008,404
- Runtime1 hour 25 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content