Parliment sends in a spy to help shut down a kinky sex club -- but the spy soon gets sucked into that world.

When a video is released with innovative packaging for a film that you've never heard of, it's a good sign that they're compensating for the film itself (this DVD comes bound in an S&M leather hood). Who knew that a film with the word "pervert" in the title could be so dull?

Disappointingly for this British import, it has a very generic Hollywood feel to it. The plot is pretty basic, the sex club scenes are surprisingly un-shocking (perhaps I've just become desensitized as I've aged), and the ending is predictably weak.

However, it's not without its moments, though many of the quirkiest scenes come so far into the film that one may be tempted to hit "stop" before they've reached that point (as I did the first time). If you stick with it long enough, there's some good payoffs. The acting and characterizations are above average, particularly on the part of the lead Mistress. Also notable is the beautiful cinematography, though there's a lot of music-video-style editing during the sex club scenes that's pretty annoying.

I can see how the film could gain a minor cult audience (though not the "Rocky Horror" audience as the US packaging suggests) and I didn't hate it... it was just a letdown. If it looks like a film that might interest you, by all means, check it out. Just don't expect too much.

The only good thing I can say about Preaching To The Perverted is that it is pleasant to look at. I had not seen the film in theatrical release, but after watching a preview DVD this week I am glad that I saved my money. Having seen one too many poorly produced (and often pathetic) S&M/B&D in-house documentaries at queer film festivals, I was concerned that this would fall into the same category. However by trying to be both a light-hearted comedy and an in-house celebration, I believe the film-makers fail on both counts. A very thin plot is complemented by an amateurish script, which is delivered in a lack-lustre manner by every one of the actors. Clearly the director wanted the film to be this bad.

One premise for the film is said to be in response to the British oppression of private sado-masochism clubs in the early 90's. Preaching To The Perverted attempts to show S&M fetishists as moral, fun loving folk who advocate freedom of choice and who respect informed consent. So why do these film characters think it's perfectly OK to kill a woman's dog, butcher it, put in a plastic bag and mail it to the distraught owner? At this point the film lost my dwindling support completely.

The only credit this film deserves is in regard to cinematography - for content it deserves zero.