The Idol a review by Onan the Vulgarian Best of Phoenix Alternative Video Reviewer

	Cast: Kevin Redding, Jim Battaglia, Mike Bitler, Greg Dale, Jerry Foxe, Nick Rodgers, Derrick Stanton; non-sexual, Darla Lee Bennett, extras. Directed by Tom DeSimone for Hand in Hand Films.
	Bijou Video, 1349 N. Wells, Chicago, IL 60610. Toll-free orders, 800-932-7111. Internet www.BijouWorld.com.
	Click here to purchase.

The Idol, filmed in 1979 by Tom DeSimone, is regarded by many as one of the best gay adult films ever made. Check out Bijou's newly remastered DVD edition and judge for yourself. Several of its seven actors, including title character Kevin Redding, never made another porno film. If you like schmaltz and romance, The Idol is for you — sort of a Love Story meets Miracle in the Rain.
    The film begins with a newspaper blowing across a street, with a photo and headline "Athlete killed in auto accident." A boy on a bicycle, Terry, picks up the paper and tears out the photo, then cycles up the road to watch the funeral, from a discreet distance. As he focuses on different members of the funeral party, the camera takes the viewer back to relive past events.
    Chuck, the best friend of the beloved dead athlete, Gary (the idol), was another member of the track team. When Gary confided that his girlfriend refused to have sex, Chuck introduced him to some boys in the locker room who were there to "make" the team, and who were happy to help Gary deal with his blue balls. A shower room fourgy ensues, with lots of heavy eye contact but very subdued sucking and fucking.
    Karen, the girlfriend, is also at the funeral. After their dates, Gary would be so frustrated at her refusal to do anything but kiss, that he'd furiously jack off in his car before driving home. During one such j/o session he is watched by Terry, who is secretly stalking him (in a good way).
    Track coach Benson, the oldest and sexiest member of the cast, is a slightly balding counselor/hip uncle. Giving Gary a rubdown after practice, the coach's massage gets progressively more erotic as he calmly talks Gary out of his jock strap and into a blowjob. Gary remains passive as he gets thoroughly rimmed and sucked, though the two of them caress and kiss a for a while afterwards. This, too, is witnessed by Terry.
    Cousin Jerry is the one Gary turns to for advice after realizing how much he enjoyed his two gay encounters. Jerry, who had the same coaching, proceeds — at Gary's request — to teach him the basics of sucking and fucking. Gary acts like he knew all the time.
    In the final scene we see Gary in bed with Terry. The conversation makes it clear that they have been lovers for some time now. Violins play in the background and it's raining outside as they kiss and hug and pledge their undying love while making love. Gary turns out to be a bottom, and even makes a remark about Joe College becoming Homecoming Queen. It's a tender and convincing love scene.
    Now it's time to get out your handkerchiefs (no, not to cum in). Cut back to the funeral. Everyone has left, except Terry. Can it be? He thinks he sees Gary running through the adjacent field. In exquisite TV-commercial-filmed-through-gauze-slow-motion, Terry sets out in pursuit. He gets closer and closer. They meet. They hug. They hold hands. They slowly walk off into the distance.
    The Idol is written and directed like a feature film, with many characters in non-sexual roles and a story that takes precedence over sex. All the sex is integral to the narrative and the principal models render credible acting performances, especially Kevin Redding as Gary.
    Gary is cute and lean and could easily be a track star. The cast in general is good-looking, and of mixed types and ages. Nobody shaves their chest or balls. There's intelligent dialog, and a message that would be very gay-affirming but for the questionable decision of making the gay-positive main character dead.

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