High Stakes

Lust and Desire in Vegas High Stakes is a cute romantic comedy hidden behind a thin layer of smut. Lloyd Kaufman, President and founder of Troma Studios, introduces the film. His characteristic lack of subtlety sets the tone for the rest of the film--and no good Troma fan would expect anything less. This movie follows a couple of strippers, stage-named "Lust" and "Desire," who are on the run from some Vegas thugs. After witnessing the thugs snuff out an Elvis impersonator over a gambling debt, the two head for cover in the desert, where they meet some amorous local hillbillies. The movie plays like a lowbrow Thelma and Louise with the added bonus of frequent soft-core sex scenes. The performances are passable, especially considering that Kaufman's introduction clues us in that a number of the cast members like Phillip Rivera have seen extensive screen time wearing (slightly) less clothing in ventures with (slightly) less plot in the hardcore porn industry. Ultimately, the movie does a solid job combining themes from Russ Meyer's Faster Pussycat, Kill, Kill!, Deliverance, and traditional romantic comedy where all's well when the movie comes to a surprise happy ending. --Brian Saltzman