I must agree with the teaser for this movie and state thatthe question
you'll be thinking when you see this "IS SHE WOMAN...OR ANIMAL?"
Russ Meyer loves breasts. Big breasts. As usual, this movie, just one of
15 or so of his being shown during 1998's Meyerfest in Toronto, focuses on
those twin mammary orbs as its sole plot. However, as opposed to being
just a hardon getoff thing, Russ uses the size of a woman's breasts (in
this case, primarily Erica Gavin's) as a metaphor for the power women can
have over their lives and everyone they encounter.
Let me say however that this must be one the funnier films Russ has made
and overall, one of the three best ones he's made.
Detailing the plot is kinda loopy, but Vixen deals with a wife of a bush
pilot who helps administer a lodge in British Columbia and the people who
stay, fish and hunt there. However, that's just a setup for all the
hilarious action, included our Royal Candian Mounted Police (emphasis on
Mounted), friendly incest, lesbianism, fish dancing, communism and the
usual weird editing that Russ specializes in (during a speech by one
lodge-stayer's wife, brief clips of her sunbathing and squeezing her
nipples on a rock by a lake are shown).
The only quibble I had with Vixen is the poor black guy in the movie. I'm
open to comment on his portrayal, but Niles Brook gets dicked around
majorly, and based on his reasons why he escaped to Canada, the ending
doesn't suggest much for his future.
Vixen was Russ Meyer's first colour pic and unfortunately, this print
suggested the only colour used was red or shades of it. And the green
slashes and scratches all over this print didn't help. The overall age of
the movie suggested that there have been no touchups since it was first
released, including a horribly mangled minute during the final plane
flight (although, with Russ at the helm, you don't really know if that's
the case). I would support any attempts to reprint or remaster Vixen in
the same manner Faster Pussycat, Kill! Kill! was three years ago.
The audience I was with enjoyed themselves fabulously, as this
second-shown movie theatre was 75% full and they applauded a brief
intorudction by an old CBC announcer who told of the only other time this
movie was shown in Canada by him and his resulting arrest. Needless to
say, any romp with Russ Meyer is well worth the price of admission. For
men and women of any persuasion.