Career retrospective films are always tricky. They are, by default, ego-driven stroke-fests which can strive to sometimes polish the dankest of turds. Once in a while though, you can get a look at a celebrity (whatever that means) you knew, but knew nothing about. With 50 YEARS (based I guess on a book Del Rio did of the same name), we get a rarity: a nearly two and a half hour retrospective/interview featuring abbreviated clips from the films being discussed during the aforementioned interview. The viewing is alternately fascinating (there’s no denying Del Rio has lived quite a life) and a bit sad (her glorification of her time “walking the street” is disturbing), but it is never boring. Be warned… this film features graphic footage (I mean porn kiddies), so if that sort of thing disturbs you… Come on! This is a look at the career of a porn star!! If this were a film about Clint Eastwood, you’d expect them to cut to clips from HIS films, right? Anyway… 50 YEARS is a film fans of Del Rio will love. Fans of 70s-era “big bush porn” will dig the clips. Del Rio herself… comes off a little “Nora Desmond,” but she’s also unapologetic about her past. And what a past it is! Say what you will about porn… Vanessa Del Rio is a legend, a talent, and a goddam national treasure. Non-fans will dig the porn as well. Fun, well-made, and highly rentable.
3 out of 5 stars
~ Thom Carnell
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