Sometimes a phrase catches the essence of something perfectly.  In this case: "Made For Cable" sums it up.  Not to say that the often erotic Centerfold shouldn't be stocked by all serious-minded adult retailers, because it should.  But after a hot opening sex scene that promises more volcanic eruptions to follow, the rest of the action is damped down to such an extent that prohibits rating this well-written, well-acted, and well-directed effort any higher.

The still-gorgeous Hyapatia plays a former centerfold model turned hard-bitten professional photographer, who's aided by stylist Porsche Lynn and assistant Victor Lemoure (both well-played sympathetic characters).  In the aforementioned hot opener, Hyapatia commands the action during a hardcore photo shoot between Francesca Lé and Nick East, and really gets to strut her stuff in the dominant role.  Francesca, in turn, is so excited by Hyapatia's strength that she demands Nick's cock up her tight butt, and eventually takes a facial shot from him.  But this film has deeper rows to hoe.  In a flashback to her modeling days, we see the source of Hyapatia's bitterness: abuse from agents and photographers like Steve Drake and T.T. Boy, who both screw her and pop off on her tits, then verbally abuse her.

Lee's only relief from her driven existence is her sympathetic friend Randy Spears. Their relationship is established slowly, in several good scenes, where his attraction to her is obvious.  In the meantime, Hyapatia has discovered a new model, Sheila Stone (dubbed Sandra Stone in the credits), whom she also seduces, then loses to the male model she sets her up with, Marc Wallice.  But just as Hyapatia's life seems to be falling apart, Randy Spears finally seduces her by shooting her photo on the same set where Sheila and Marc have just screwed for Hyapatia's camera, and then making love to her.

The sex scenes, which take place mostly in Hyapatia's photo studio, are well lit and well-choreographed, but sometimes lifeless.  Even the climactic scene, which should have been cathartic, given the characters' relationships, drifts into ineffectuality.  The concept is excellent, the execution beautiful, but it never catches fire.  One other complimentary note -- Hyapatia wrote and sings two fine songs, including the rocking title song, and proves that the ubiquitous Double Vision can actually show some chops.  Good music editing, too.