Legendary LaRue gambled big-time in directing a gay porn take on the popular, Academy Award-winning film Leaving Las Vegas. Luckily, LaRue wins just as big, and what emerges is the prolific director's best work to date. As in the film, the video features as its protagonists a drunken wretch and a despondent hustler. And again, as in the film, spot-on casting aids immeasurably in transforming potentially off-putting material into something watchable and, more importantly in this case, erotic.

Handsome, clean cut Alec Danes stars as the unrepentant alcoholic, and he tackles the role with courage and a conviction unusual for the genre. His final scene is quite winning. Exotic Dave Russell co-stars as the hustler, and he's an engaging performer, even though his line readings occasionally fall flat. His opening scene featuring Michael D'Amours as a rich trick is fantastic; the sight of Danes furiously plowing an ecstatically groaning D'Amours is but the first of this vid's many jackpots. DiMarco appears in a brief role as Russell's pimp, and his tumble with hot jock Brad Michaels is prime LaRue action. Jordan Young (also the screenwriter) is good as a naive hustler who meets a tragic end.

Josh Sterling, cutter West and Alex Carrington play butch jocks with sinister intentions, and their tightly choreographed four-way with Russell will turn customers on and keep 'em talking. Danes is first featured in an oral scene with a ravenous Hank Hightower; later, he and Russell engage in sensual, erotic pool-side sex. Again, these scenes are shot and edited for maximum effect. Obvious care was taken with this project, and it shows. As an added treat, throughout the film, those in the know will have fun playing spot-the-celebrity-cameo. Adult films like this one rarely get made; check it out now.