When a plot is centered around women learning about self-respect, it’s usually a cliche, but it can be a fun and harmless story that we can enjoy, if it has enough heart. Still Fabulous has this general plotline, with a raunchy twist in the form of a porn star guardian angel, but the way the film plays out just misses the mark. There are fun moments, but Maddalena doesn’t do the work to find the things about herself that she actually likes about herself, possibly because the film isn’t as interested in her as it is with Valentina Nappi. Instead, even when the message is to love and appreciate one’s body, they have a body double for the stunning Diana del Bufalo, and even when it’s pointed out to her how she depends on external validation, the film ends with a relationship to validate Maddalena. Pensati Sexy sabotages itself the same way Maddalena does.
Synopsis
Stuck in a dead-end career and on a string of terrible dates, the life of 30-something Maddalena is a total mess until one day, she meets an unlikely imaginary friend who comes to her in the form of real-life porn star Valentina Nappi. Her mission? To teach Maddalena everything she needs to know about life, sex, and love. Also starring Raoul Bova and Alessandro Tiberi.
Storyline
30-something ghostwriter Maddalena can’t seem to figure out life, until one day, after eating her roommate’s marijuana cake, she gains a guardian angel in the form of real life porn star Valentina Nappi.
TLDR
Whoever designed Valentina Nappi’s costumes in this… Thank you.
What stands out
Surprisingly, out of the cast, Valentina Nappi has the most presence, despite regular acting not being her regular job. Part of it is because she’s the best dressed out of all of them, as a fantastical guardian angel, but the first shot of her lying down had more personality and chemistry with Maddalena than the unfunny guy Maddalena is supposed to fall for.