Chris (Aimee Eccles) and Sander (Solomon Sturges) are a free-spirited couple who pick up Dennis (Jeff Pomerantz), a seemingly square parole officer hitchhiking. Chris takes a shine to him and soon invites him for a romantic rendezvous. Dennis surprises them with a bit of sexual freedom of his own as he asks his friend Jan (Victoria Vetri) to join their joint arrangement. Before long, a handsome beach bum (Zack Taylor) and a sexy lawyer (Gator Bait’s Claudia Jennings) also join their ever-growing polyamorous relationship. Things become increasingly complicated once Chris gets pregnant and the neighborhood, who doesn’t take kindly to their nontraditional lifestyle, causes a ruckus.
Directed by Stephanie (The Working Girls) Rothman, Group Marriage tries to be a low rent version of Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice. However, the plot mostly feels like a series of set-ups to corny jokes complete with unfunny punchlines. The other, racier scenes often play like filmed versions of the old comics you used to see in Playboy. The silly sitcom scenarios and predictable plot twists would’ve been tolerable if the skin quotient was there, but there’s ultimately not enough nudity to make it worthwhile. Also, while the film has a progressive attitude towards polygamy, it’s filled with dated stereotypes, which may turn off some modern-day viewers.
The women in the cast help propel it along, not only because they are all sexy, but because they also deliver fine performances. It’s just a shame that Jennings, the loveliest one of the bunch, has the lamest storyline. She also unfortunately doesn’t show up till the movie’s halfway over.
The theme song, “Darling Companion” is pretty great though. It was written and sung by none other than The Lovin’ Spoonful’s John Sebastian, which seems like a good get for a low budget drive-in skin flick. The song was later covered by Johnny and June Carter Cash on the Johnny Cash at San Quentin album, if you can believe it.
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