JUST THE TWO OF US (1970) ***

Denise (Elizabeth Plumb) and Adria (Alisa Courtney) are two lonely housewives who spend a lot of time with each other when their husbands go away on business.  They go out to lunch one day and witness a lesbian couple holding hands.  That makes them curious enough to experiment with each other.  Denise winds up falling hard for Adria, but she rejects her for a younger man. Denise then befriends the couple who take her to a swinging party where she gets high for the first time and is seduced by an older woman. 

Co-directed by Barbara (Humanoids from the Deep) Peeters and Jack Deerson (the cinematographer of Two-Lane Blacktop), Just the Two of Us is a quiet, effective lesbian drama that contains just enough skin and sex to play at the grindhouse.  It’s surprising just how thoughtful and progressive this romantic drama is.  Because so much emphasis is placed on Plumb and Courtney’s relationship, when they finally get together, it really means something.  When they grow apart, you really feel for Plumb. 

Part of why the film works is that the performances are all strong.  Plumb is the standout as the confused and lovesick Denise.  Her chemistry with Courtney is considerable, both in and out of bed.  

Just the Two of Us only occasionally veers into time capsule kitsch.  The musical interludes are badly dated and the party scene is kind of chintzy.  Since the party ends with a hot lesbian sex scene on a pool table, it’s hard to complain.  

AKA:  The Dark Side of Tomorrow.