Of the many film directors who have recently made the transition completely to video, only two come to mind as having mastered the form similar to the way shot-on-video practitioners have: Lawrence T. Cole and Anthony Spinelli. And Spinelli's latest, Ecstasy, is similar in style and mood to his recent Talk Dirty To Me One More Time. Combining hot sex and a serious storyline, Spinelli's no-frills approach to vidmaking works because of superior acting. While the setting is simple —a bedroom and a house— Spinelli proves what can be done with excellent dialogue.

John Leslie and wife Shanna McCullough, who are having problems in bed (Leslie can't seem to get aroused for his hot and horny redheaded woman), share their fantasies in order to expand their sexual horizon. Leslie takes on the typical fantasies —a virgin maid (Katie Thomas) in one scene and a buxom, tall blonde (Chanel) in the other. McCullough fantasizes about Tom Byron's oversized organ and a lesbian sequence with newcomer Barrie Blake, a blonde with some sexual potential.

All of this leads, of course, to an arousing lovemaking scene between our two principles, but not without an unusual amount of angst. He calls her a whore; she calls him a whimp. Leslie's anger is overwhelming as he throws her onto the bed for the forced sex she craves so deliriously. It is done with taste, but it comes off very realistically.

John Leslie turns in his typically fine performance, but Shanna McCullough is a revelation. Not only does she overflow with sexual enthusiasm, but her superb acting ability appears out of left field. Credit director Spinelli for flawless direction, although, yes, there are a few sound problems. Nonetheless, Ecstasy easily qualifies as one of the most erotic and realistic couples' tapes to come along in a while. This one is highly recommended.