Boyz on the Side (DVD)

Coming up with a sexy theme for a gay porn film, one that's engaging without being overly so, and still managing to be sexy may seem like an easy task. The plot choices are seemingly endless; make a movie about a gang of horny surfers, an oversexed wrestling coach or a piggy pool party. Given all these sporty options for your fuck flick, why would anyone want to make a film about a relationship in trouble? Strangely enough, porn films focused on fidelity are pretty commonplace. The betrayals and reconciliations in "Boyz on the Side" fall in line with other similarly plot-driven flicks, but some earnest performances from its models might just set the film apart from the pack.

When mere words fail, Luke and Ben, two mates from the U.K., express their deep feelings for one another by shagging. It's a very tender scene, with a soundtrack to match. The mood is languorous and sensual -- tongues flick over nipples while hands roam and explore. Several long minutes of foreplay and naked grinding go on before the action really focuses intensely on more traditional fucking. Ben and Luke are well matched; these are two lads with boyish, smooth bodies, heavy-lidded eyes and tight asses. Everything about their lovemaking is mutual, not neatly defined by the terms top and bottom. Ben inevitably fucks his lover, and Luke's pleasure is quite audible. It's as if someone put the microphone right next to his mouth -- his rapid panting with the tiniest whimpers override the gooey synthesizer underneath, bursting in stereo when he cums while being plowed.

But all is not cherubs and roses in this relationship. Ben, the worker bee of the two, ignores a horny Luke the morning after. With a bit of a pout, Luke goes about his morning errands, intending to return a video. It's really an excuse to cruise the streets. Out and about, he unceremoniously picks up Freddie, another twink who bears more than a passing resemblance to hubby Ben.

Even though they start up with heated kisses, the sex has less to do with romance than getting off. And unbeknownst to Luke, his trick is filming the entire tryst. As the guys pick up the pace, the crucifix hanging around Freddie's neck swings wildly. He's eager to taste every bit of his new buddy, and zeroes in on Luke's cock. Freddie's also packin' some hot meat between his legs. He sits on Luke's chest and waves it in his face, groaning a bit when Luke takes the bait and sucks. After a quick bit of rimming, they stand up, batting and mashing their hard pricks together. After a snapshot of Freddie slipping on a condom, we get more of Luke's heavy breathing. He moves himself into every imaginable position in his frenzy to get off -- riding and bouncing, laying on his back and belly, offering his ass any way he can. When Luke says he's horny, he means it. The orgasms are run in slow-motion, interspersed with close-ups, Luke looking directly into the camera with obvious satisfaction.

Luke's a hot lay and Freddie would like a repeat, but Luke reluctantly reveals that he's involved. And then with a plot twist straight out of the fourth season of "The Brady Bunch," Luke puts the wrong video in his bag, leaving with a sleazy digital footprint of his afternoon escapades.

And later, when Ben can't sleep and searches for some late-night entertainment, he inadvertently puts in the homemade sex video. When confronted, Luke is rather matter-of-fact about it, but is still sent packin'. Rather than get mad, Ben gets even.

His job, an assistant to a photographer, puts him in direct contact with nearly nude male models. When Latin hunk Fernando Leone arrives early for his photoshoot and puts the moves on Ben, Ben decides not to think about it, choosing instead to explore Fernando's mocha skin and bulky frame. Peeling off Fernando's crisp white underwear, Ben uncovers a very dark-skinned, very fat uncut cock framed with a shiny silver cock ring. Fernando's dick provides a bigger oral challenge than Ben is used to. Ben's facial expressions and excited, fluttering fingers while he's giving head made for erotic viewing, in part because the blowjob was a forbidden one. His explorations continue south, and he rims Fernando energetically. They head to the shower and continuing playing. Fernando gets a taste of Ben's hole, switching between licking it and fingering it. His attentions are not so subtle; it's clear that he means to completely dominate his buddy's asshole. Fernando turns out to be a powerful top, picking Ben up and positioning him so that he can get the best bang for his buck. Nearing climax, Fernando puts his fat dick in Ben's mouth. Ben quickly jacks him off, flicking his tongue over the head, pulling away just in time to get a facial.

Guilt-stricken, Ben checks in with buddy Anton. Anton advises him to forget about Luke's dalliances, and do what he and his lover do -- have an open relationship. Even as Anton offers comfort to Ben, a hot trick, Victor Campos, is ringing the buzzer. Sporting a mop of poofy Flock of Seagulls-style hair and a noticeable swagger, Victor's arrival delights blond and lanky Anton. I mean, if you're going to trick, do it with panache. They quickly undress one another and in a flash, Anton is on his knees (which is where I would be). Victor's brazen stares into the camera lens make him hard to resist. And lucky Anton -- this trick is hung to boot. Some excellent camerawork captures Anton's oral servicing, and from a variety of angels. At Victor's urging, Anton completely spreads his legs, giving Victor complete access to his hole. Sitting on Anton's back, Victor slips a rubber on two fingers and works that hole over. And with a few anticipatory smacks of his cock on Anton's exposed sphincter, Victor eases in for the long haul. It's a lengthy anal session, several minutes of heavy-duty cornholing concluding with another hearty facial, easily the most expansive and explosive cum-shot in the entire flick.

After making their brief apologies, Luke and Ben are back in the sack, making up. Ben fucks Luke royally, forcing his lover to have a violent orgasm. Romantic wounds on the mend, the pair retreats to the French countryside where Ben has a surprise waiting. Upon arrival, they meet up with Anton and his lover Kenny. Luke and Ben push out their relationship boundaries in style -- a flesh-on-flesh four-way with Anton and Kenny. The two couples break the ice on a stroll through the woods, tossing shirts aside and getting into some heavy petting. Then it's back to the chateau where all four cram onto a big bed. The foursome tease the viewer with a great deal of foreplay; by the time the briefs got tossed to the floor, I was more than ready to see who would hook up with whom. No one is shy in the group, but Anton certainly is the most adventurous, forcing three cocks into his open maw (or trying to) at the same time. The highlight of the group play was watching Ben and Luke on their knees, side by side, sucking cock, eyeing each other conspiratorially. Then on the bed, our lovers kiss passionately while Anton and Kenny each pick an ass and lick it. The logical conclusion to this hot segment is Luke and Ben getting fucked by Anton and Kenny respectively. Watching this unfold is intensely erotic, the lustful expressions on the models' faces capturing most of my attention. Luke and Ben put themselves completely in the hands of their new fuck buddies, deciding not to couple up during this exploration. The sheer volume of cum in this scene, and in the film as a whole, was spectacular. I'm a card-carrying cum freak; by the time all four unload, the sheets are soaked with goo. I'm guessing that an open relationship will be working just fine for these guys in the future.

Director Marshall does a bang-up job servicing the plot without burdening the viewer with minutia. The production values are pretty standard here and the models, with the exception of Fernando Leone, have a standard, thin body type. The performances are very believable, making this film a standout in the genre of "relationship porn."

DVD features: Chapters; gallery; behind-the-scenes footage; trailers ("Anal Pick-Up," "Bustin' In," "Night Lair" and "Sex Gym"); no regional coding (playable worldwide).

A DVD Review by Rick Forrent ( http://www.ManNet.com )

*** Highly Recommended ***

Starring Luke, Ben, Anton Dixon, Kenny, Victor Campos, Fernando Leone and Freddie.

Directed by Christian Marshall.

DVD features include Interactive Menus; Chapter Index; Jump to Your Favorite Scenes; DVD-ROM Compatible; No Regional Coding for World Wide Playback.

A Jackrabbit Releasing/Corolo Film & Video/Arena Entertainment DVD.