Tricks of the Trade

Fleshpot on 42nd Street (1973)
Dir - Andy Milligan
Weird Wednesday

This was my first Andy Milligan film and from my brief glimpse around IMDb I may have started at the top. I think the four person crowd I watched this with was mixed overall but I REALLY like this flick. It's a very realistic view into the seedy world of Time Square in the 70s. Sometimes I get really angry at Giuliani and those involved in "Disneying" up the area. Yeah, crime went down and it's safer... blah, blah, blah. I want to see that dirty side that's captured in so many films and TV shows. Sigh.

Milligan's never-steadicam technique really adds to the realism along with the very natural performances by his cast, including porn stars and drag queens. It actually reminds me a lot of John Waters' really early stuff, which I love, except not near as fun and light. This is pretty downbeat overall and leaves you feeling sorry instead of happy with the outcome. But I guess a a film about a prostitute/hustler is not always a happy one.

This is a raw and rough film, but I think there's a lot of merit to be found within.