Lucinda's Spell
A Golden Shadow release

review by Joe Mauceri

This pretty much sums up the movie.

Premise:  A New Orleans prostitute and sex-healer is trying to compete in a witch spell-off to capture the heart of the last descendent of Merlin, Jason. Sex, New Orleans, magic and witches, oh my!

Review: Director, writer and actor Jon Jacobs comes up with a unique idea, and delivers a visually lustrous film. LUCINDA'S SPELL looks so wonderful because it was shot in 35mm Cinemascope color. Jacobs has a wonderful handle on the music of New Orleans and mixes in quite a bit. It sounds so great that it slightly detracts from Niki Jack's score. LUCINDA'S SPELL has all the elements to make it genuine cult film. However, the film suffers from a lack of editing.

Jacobs indulges himself, and his co-star Fulton, in camera time. Often, when they are "mugging" for the camera they are spouting long dialogue/monologue sequences. Fulton has the looks of Pamela Lee, mixed with the physical comedic licks of Judy Tanewta. Jacobs allows himself a "Billy Idol" rock video moment, and provides Fulton with several sequences that feel like fashion photo shoots on a bad acid trip.

Jacobs Druid angle is a great idea. His witches - another genre Anne Rice has done to death - are sexy, fresh and fun. Into that mix he throws too many good ideas. At the beginning, Jason is given Jessie James' gun by his spirit guide. He uses it once, but it never comes up again. Also, Lucinda's "sex magic" philosophy is never fully exploited. Jacob does beat Merlin's spell do death, lines which he borrowed from the film "Excalibur."

Jon Jacobs is probably a talented director, as a talented actor. Yet, Jacobs wears too many hats and the film suffers. His performance could easily have benefitted from a bit of direction.

When LUCINDA'S SPELL works it possesses a similar raw comedic energy to the Monty Python films, with a bit of that Hong Kong action flare. Jon Jacobs is a an independent film maker in the rough. Fulton is extremely watch able. Sex wise, there's a kicker in the "climax," which is where probably most of the budget went. LUCINDA'S SPELL works better in a beer, buds and babes environment then an art house theater.

OFFICIAL WEB SITE:
http://www.sexismagic.com

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