Ashlyn Gere and Randy Spears are Beth and Peter, the titular couple – prickly, wary, parrying and thrusting. It would be too easy to shove this film into the "couples' tape" cubbyhole; in truth, the proper classification is "adult", in all the best senses – adult characters, adult dialogue, adult passion, and even the adult silliness we all reach for to lighten the heavy moments. Ariel Hart, long one of adult's premiere scenarists, has done it again, and Judy Blue's direction and Jane Waters' photography are also award-worthy. The opening New Year's Eve tryst between the not-yet-committed pair is poignant with longing, and ripe with anger and lust, including the climactic facial finish.

Beth's friend Artie (Tony Tedeschi) is married to Darlene (Paula Harlow), but lusts for the married Carolyn (Brittany O'Connell), and also Tanya (the exotic Rasha Romana). A lengthy, beautifully shot fantasy sequence has all three beauties masturbating, licking, and wielding strap-ons in a daisy chain of fog-shrouded velvet platforms. The music (from Double Vision), lighting, effects, and superb camera dissolves make the scene a winner.

Artie and Beth's ex-husband (Steve St. Croix) appear in the bedroom. Beth strips and takes them on in a sensual, stirring three-way. The raw, hungry sensuality of last year's award-sweeper is invested with tangible emotion, as well as bathed in sweat and semen.

The final pairing between the new lovers is equally hot, with fabulous cock-sucking by Ashlyn, followed by a well-lubed, steamy standing anal. This is Spears' best perf since Centerfold, and Ashlyn's best of the year to date, and fans know what that means. New Lovers has the "must stock" label, and it's supported by superior packaging featuring Ashlyn.