The main problem with this film is that it tries to do too much. The central couple are Kate O'Mara and Paul Freeman who can't have a child of their own--Freeman's pistol is loaded with blanks--so they opt for artificial insemination. But since there apparently wasn't enough meat on that bone, the script introduces other couples with ties to the fertility clinic. There is a lesbian couple, a kooky hippy broad accidentally planted with "African seed," and the most interesting sub-couple is the young clinic lab tech who is in love with an older man, who might be the sperm donor her mother used many years ago.
This is an interesting film that presents the viewer with many socially taboo questions. Lesbianism is scratched at but nothing profound is said and even less is said about racism since the hippy lady's screen time was limited--that subplot was really unnecessary. The spotlight really rests on O'Mara and Freeman and how they cope with not having a child conventionally. Kate takes drastic measures to get impregnated when the AI doesn't take either and the film gains speed when Freeman learns of Kate's adulterous methods.
STORY: $$$ (The story would have benefited from trimming the clutter. The hippy lady wasn't needed and the lesbian couple was underdeveloped, even though there was some interesting commentary there. More focus should have been given Paul Freeman and his trials in accepting a child that isn't his).
ACTING: $$$ (Both Freeman and O'Mara are terrific in this film but the other players are simply ho-hum, albeit the hippy lady who was annoying. O'Mara, best known was a cleavage-baring Hammer Horror Babe, is exceptional in this role as a woman who will do anything to have a child. Although Freeman isn't given the opportunity to really strut his stuff, given the flimsy script, he masters what substance the screenplay provides).
NUDITY: $$$$$ (Kate O'Mara teased horror film viewers all throughout such films like HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN and VAMPIRE LOVERS, but there is no teasing whatsoever here. In fact, the first 45 minutes of the film, Kate is completely naked half the time. Bare skin is also supplied by the ill-fated lab tech. Her nightmare scene may be the film's highlight).
This is an interesting film that presents the viewer with many socially taboo questions. Lesbianism is scratched at but nothing profound is said and even less is said about racism since the hippy lady's screen time was limited--that subplot was really unnecessary. The spotlight really rests on O'Mara and Freeman and how they cope with not having a child conventionally. Kate takes drastic measures to get impregnated when the AI doesn't take either and the film gains speed when Freeman learns of Kate's adulterous methods.
STORY: $$$ (The story would have benefited from trimming the clutter. The hippy lady wasn't needed and the lesbian couple was underdeveloped, even though there was some interesting commentary there. More focus should have been given Paul Freeman and his trials in accepting a child that isn't his).
ACTING: $$$ (Both Freeman and O'Mara are terrific in this film but the other players are simply ho-hum, albeit the hippy lady who was annoying. O'Mara, best known was a cleavage-baring Hammer Horror Babe, is exceptional in this role as a woman who will do anything to have a child. Although Freeman isn't given the opportunity to really strut his stuff, given the flimsy script, he masters what substance the screenplay provides).
NUDITY: $$$$$ (Kate O'Mara teased horror film viewers all throughout such films like HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN and VAMPIRE LOVERS, but there is no teasing whatsoever here. In fact, the first 45 minutes of the film, Kate is completely naked half the time. Bare skin is also supplied by the ill-fated lab tech. Her nightmare scene may be the film's highlight).
