Im back in the building again…its time for another Doris Wishman film. And this time around its 'The Sex Perils of Paulette'. Another 'Middle of the pack. Offering from Wishman. Not a bad entry by any stretch, but one that I felt just failed to really draw me in.

Anna Karol plays 'Paulette' a fresh of the bus newcomer to the big city with aspirations of making it big as an actress. Paulette finds a room with Tracy, a woman who's MORE than comfortable in underwear alone, who promises to introduce Paulette to some 'big time' movers and shakers, with the aim of helping her get a foot in the door.

Unfortunately for Paulette, these big time movers, are in fact in the 'Adult' industry, and the party Tracy has invited her to is essentially a full blown swinging orgy. Paulettes crestfallen, and the rest of the film is basically a downward spiral, as she battles trying to make a go of her dreams, while realising that all anyone who can enable that dream wants is her body. leading to a bittersweet finale.

This ones basically a bit of a rosetta stone for what would come from Doris's movies through the 60s, theres pangs of 'Bad Girls go to Hell', elements of 'Another Day, Another Man' and 'My Brothers Wife'…and while its interesting to see the seeds of what would go onto become those fully fleshed out films here. There isnt a moment in this film that tops the best of those movies. This films consistent. But its also very VERY dry, the Wishman 'Spark' is but a flicker at this point in time. and what we're left with, is a kitchen sink drama with sexploitation elements that doesnt quite cut the mustard for me.

The script is a lot slower paced than Doris's other works, tonally its consistent. But for me? its kind of inescapable that this is just a bit of a dry offering. gyrating semi nude ladies can only take a script so far, and there just isnt enough 'tang' here to really hook me and bring me in. I appreciate this was Wishmans first step out of the 'naturist' genre and into something more 'roughie'/'exploitation' adjacent. But It doesnt feel like a fully formed idea for me. It feels like some very rough carvings…and while those carvings WILL eventually take a more defined shape. Here? its still a work in progress.

The direction and cine is really what saves the day here. Yes. We're still in Doris's apartment, but theres a heavy emphasis on handheld footage, which makes everything feel a bit more manic, particularly the party sequences that give a great sense of feeling 'out of control' Wishman clearly knew how to light and set dress for B&W and heres one of her more striking works, with gorgeous lighting and some really nice compositional and sequence choices. Its probably one of her more 'fresh' offerings, and while she would go on to make better, more coherent and more striking works. This manages to go above expectations and overdeliver if anything for me. Which I had to respect really.

The edits a little rough in places, but thats more to do with cutting times than with the sequence shot selections. the cuts feel a bit rough around the edges, and I have no doubt that the footage, in more capable hands, could have been presented in a more solid format.

Performance wise, Theres only really Anna Karol to talk about, the supporting cast are fine, if not a bit ethereal in their performances. But Karol gets a good range, handles the ADR work really well, and gives a genuine feeling and sincere performance that doesnt shy away from getting a bit gritty and real from time to time. I really enjoyed her on screen presence and she was probably one of the main things keeping the film ticking over honestly.

Aaaand the soundtracks still library pieces…it fills the silence, though im not convinced they were the best picks.

All in all? 'The Sex Perils of Paulette' is fine. Not one Id openly recommend, a fine base level introduction to Doris Wishman, not her best, far from her worst. a mixed script married to some good direction, cine and performances. By the skin of its teeth, i'd say that I dont think i'd revisit this one, unless I was going through her whole filmography again. Theres a lot better Wishman to be watched. But if you are looking for something that wont set unrealistic expectations of what to expect with Wishman. This or 'Another Day, Another Man' would be great starting points.

source https://letterboxd.com/tytdreviews/film/the-sex-perils-of-paulette/