Idea: 3 out of 10
Acting: 6 out of 10
Directing and Camera: 7 out of 10
Sound: 2 out of 10
Make-Up and Set-Design: 9 out of 10

It is NOT Gonzo, and it is NOT your typical porn scene. It takes 23:38 before you can see some naked skin. A lot of kissing is involved before Ravyn Alexa (many tattoos, natural boobs) and Whitney Wright are topless. Kristen Scott is blocking the view ... which is a good thing, see below ...

Female friend of mine: "I do not want to see a woman's genitals all the time, I want to see the man as well."

The scene is slow and sensual. The only (warm) light is a bonfire, which adds to the romantic scenery.

"Grace", like its sequel "Rose", is a romance starring Kristen Scott (Nadine) and a less well-known actress, Ravyn Alexa (Grace), as what one might call geographically challenged lovers. This isn't Shakespeare; it's not even excellent writing, but it's good television. Okay-ish script with convincing actors, stressing naturalness, calm, and subtlety.

The dialogue is meaningless small-talk, but it is pure and authentic. I am not sure if the talk is supposed to create a bond between the actors and the audience (or me). But the laughter is genuine, and so is the hiking part. Is this all necessary to build up to a sex scene? I let you decide.

Calvert (director) has settled upon a rather dull approach, and I have to deduct points for that. Many horror movies start exactly like that. We move to a cabin, we drink, we play a game, and we have sex. And in horror movies, the people who have sex will die. That won't happen here.

All the actors are convincing, staying in character and never showing off or reverting to bad habits learned through so many XXX roles. The sex scenes are there, but not played like the usual porn.

Erika Lust has a particular style. Her (and Calvert) movies are overtly designed to be female-friendly, almost by definition, and "Grace" is one of them.

Once best friends, Nadine and Grace haven't seen each other in four years, ever since Kristen moved to the "big city" (Nashville) and they lost touch. Almost on a whim, Kristen contacts Ravyn before the Thanksgiving holiday, and Ravyn invites her to visit a remote cabin where she's staying with her friends, Whitney Wright and Michael Vegas. Ravyn works at a coffeehouse and likes her life. At the same time, Kristen is frustrated and lonely, working in a menial job (director Casey Calvert plays her boss) with hopes of advancement keeping her going.

The four folks in a cabin get along in Cumbaya fashion, and a game of "Never Have I Ever" leads directly to a foursome. Anybody kisses everybody.

The next day: Left alone by their hosts, Kristen and Ravyn play a game. They connect like they did in the past. The two girls missed each other and have slow, sensual lesbian sex.

The sound in the beginning (phone call) is bad. Kristen sounds distant, while Ravyn has a 10K-equiment to record her voice. Maybe next time you ask Bellesa (Blind Date's) for some tips.

The cast is okay, underplaying in line with the realistic format. I like the long pauses between answers. It adds realism. Michael Vegas had strange roles before (PureTaboo: The Ghost Rocket), but he is one of the better porn actors. Kristen and Michael are not challenged by the script. Kristen Scott has another crossover role (as in "Teenage Lesbian") that is subtly performed. Whitney was outstanding in PureTaboo (The Pickle). Still, here she sometimes looks like she is playing a Fembot ... and then you see a glimpse of her talent, smiling and laughing. And I like the acting of Ravyn Alexa, but I do not have a baseline to compare her against. There are no obvious flaws in her acting where you think: "What was that?"