I Like To Watch (1982)
Title: The Voyeur’s Delight: Unraveling “I Like To Watch” (1982)
The year was 1982, a time of innocence and virtue, or so it seemed. Unbeknownst to the masses, a controversial film entitled “I Like To Watch” was about to challenge societal norms and postal constraints in a way that had never been done before. Directed by the enigmatic Big Spender, this X-rated gem was a voyeur’s dream – or nightmare, depending on one’s moral compass.
The film opens with a simple premise: a man, identified only as “The Watcher” ( played by the brooding Bob Johnson), is captivated by his neighbors – a gorgeous couple with a penchant for going au naturel. From behind the safety of his peeping tom hole, The Watcher watches, learns, enjoys the view of these two innocents cavorting in their most intimate moments. It’s a voyeur’s paradise.
As the story unfolds, we are treated to scene after scene of unabashed ravishment. The unknowing duo, played by the nubile Tiffany Love and the strapping Johnny Core, act out their torrid love affair on camera, heedless of the prying eyes peering in on their bedsit. The film is shot in a grainy, 1982 aesthetic, adding to the voyeuristic thrill.
Watching the watching is an experience in itself. Big Spender’s directorial style is almost as voyeuristic as The Watcher’s pastime. Close-up shots and frequent cutaways to The Watcher’s charitable hole give the viewer a sense of omniscience – this is a film about looking, after all.
But the real thrill lies in the moments captured on camera. Tiffany Love, in all her goddess-like glory, writhing beneath Johnny Core’s athletic form. The couple, lost in their own little world, are oblivious to the audience – and that’s part of the allure. Their rapturous moans, the wet slaps of flesh on flesh, all captured for the viewing pleasure of The Watcher – and by extension, the viewer.
“I Like To Watch” gets kinky. The Watcher, unable to resist his urges, takes matters into his own hands – literally. In one particularly scandalous scene, we see The Watcher relieving himself of the tension, while still peeping through his hole. It’s a crass, explicit moment, and it’s all the more thrilling because The Watcher is sullying the innocence of the moment.
But “I Like To Watch” isn’t just about sex; it’s also about the human condition. The Watcher, in all his depravity, is emerging as a complex character. Is he a pervert, or a victim of his own curiosity? The line between voyeur and exhibitionist blurs, throwing into question the audience’s own complicity in the act of watching.
As the film reaches its climax (in more ways than one), the boundaries between The Watcher, the couple, and the audience break down. In a shocking twist, Tiffany and Johnny become aware of their voyeur – and instead of being shocked, they engage with him. The Watcher is invited to join in the lovemaking, and the distinctions between active and passive, observer and observed, dissolve.
“I Like To Watch” is ultimately about power – who has it, who wants it, who wields it. The Watcher starts out in control, peeping from the shadows. But as his voyeurism becomes more blatant, his power wanes. By the end of the film, he is a willing participant, subsumed into the couple’s world.
The final shot is a close-up of The Watcher’s ecstatic face – a profound moment of voyeuristic self-awareness. The viewer is left questioning their own position, their own complicity in the act of watching.
In conclusion, “I Like To Watch” is a groundbreaking film that challenges societal norms and postal standards. It’s a voyeur’s delight, a thrilling exploration of the voyeuristic gaze. But it’s more than just a cheap thrill – it’s a commentary on the human condition, on the power dynamics of watching and being watched. Watch it if you dare – but don’t say you weren’t warned. The voyeuristic boundaries will be forever stretched.||
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