Play

Once upon a time, video stores rented out physical media to customers for home entertainment. There are many adult movie fans who weren’t around during this decades-gone era. Thankfully, Dorcel’s “Play” takes us back to the days of VHS tapes in the 1990s, when video rental stores hadn’t yet gone the way of the dinosaurs. Nicole Kitt and Gal Ritchie play two friends working the counter at one of these storied establishments. Playing into the nostalgic setting, this movie delivers memorable characters with quotable quips. Director Ricky Greenwood tackles yet another film genre to porn-ify: the ’90s-era buddy comedy. “Play” moves like a Kevin Smith flick as it titillates in more ways than one.

Conan’s Video Club sets the stage for a zany batch of customers who waltz through the door. The movie opens with “Weird Larry,” played by Tommy Pistol, already waiting outside as Nicole and Gal unlock the shop. He immediately darts to the Adults Only section, gleefully yelling “Porn!” as he disappears into the back — a routine both clerks are all too familiar with, responding with dismissive sighs. Fortunately for them, the sexual hijinks kick in quickly. Gal can’t stop thinking about sex and constantly reminds her co-worker of this. The first sex scene sizzles into view thanks to Gal’s recollection of a past threesome. The flashback features Dan Damage and Isiah Maxwell spit-roasting Gal Ritchie on the video store counter. Nicole grimaces at the thought as her perverted friend devilishly recalls the fling.

Everyone seems to meet their match at Conan’s Video Club — even Larry gets some action in the porn section. Queenie Sateen drops in looking for smut, dressed only in a trench coat. She also happens to be a connoisseur, mimicking Larry’s jog to the back of the store and rejoicing at the sight of all the porn. This leads to the second threesome scene — my favorite in the movie — as Gal joins the party in the porn room. When she steps in, Queenie Sateen is already sucking off Tommy. The gooner fantasy continues as the three of them — Queenie, Tommy, and Gal — initiate sex acts while surrounded by porno tapes.

The set pieces accurately depict the video stores of yore, from movie posters to stacks of tapes. Ryan Driller plays the boss and appears in a hot scene with Chanel Camryn, who portrays a potential employee being interviewed in the back office. Gal and Nicole can only guess what goes on back there — likely a future co-worker getting banged on the boss’s desk while they hold down the front counter.

The DP scene features Liz Jordan with Roman Todd and Oliver Davis, playing horny customers who wander to the back of the store. They leave the aisles of videotapes after some groping and heavy petting. It’s the shortest sex scene in the movie, but they still manage to fit in cowgirl, reverse cowgirl, and double penetration. Even through the gloomy lighting, the heat of the sex still burns through.

Eventually, Nicole gets to bang her crush — a customer played by Nathan Bronson. Gal encourages this by leaving them alone and urging Nicole to close up shop without her. Nicole is initially hesitant, but one look at Nathan has her giving in to her desires. They have sex in the middle of the store, with Nicole Kitt riding Nathan in cowgirl and taking his athletic thrusts in standing doggy style.

The reasonable runtime ensures that “Play” doesn’t drag — a great way to discourage fast-forwarding. Sticking around rewards viewers with fun bursts of dialogue before getting straight to the professional sex from these top-tier performers. Tommy Pistol and Ryan Driller are still at the top of their game, nailing their acting roles and the hottest women in the biz. Greenwood delivers great camera angles during penetration, cementing “Play” as not only a raunchy comedy but a solid piece of porn.