There are some elements of Divorce Court Expose that really work and offer exciting possibilities about the future of the adult film industry. But in its enthusiasm to make points, it nevertheless stumbles and gets bogged down in some old where-have-I-seen-this-before terrain.

Yet, the case of Townsend vs. Townsend is as real as any knockdown-drag-'em-out divorce case you're likely to find in real life. Save for some real obvious pieces of scene chewing, the characterizations are convincing and Cherie Marie's script is intelligent (although some of the courtroom logistics are questionable).

As Sheila and Jeffrey Townsend, Siobhan Hunter and Jerry Butler are slapping enough suits on one another to fill George Hamilton's wardrobe closet. Sheila isapparently bisexual and husband Jeffrey doesn't feel that's a proper environment to be raising a "manly" five-year-old son. But then Sheila isn't too kind with her counterattacks on her "local Rambo and his erotic dancing mistress" Candie Evans. There are parts that are plain funny in spite of themselves, such as Jeffrey's insistence on enrolling his son in a tiny tot hockey program "so he won't be a fag."

Sexually, Divorce Court Expose seems to be taking lovemaking practices back to the elements of tease and seduction where it belongs. Butler's scene with Evans is a pure evocation of lust, humor and enticement, although an overbearing sound track drowns them out. And wonder of all wonders, the photography is played straight — no hoopla, no gizmos.

In its current length, Divorce Court Expose cries out for a multiple story line to keep interest intact. As it is, the Townsends come off as a pair of babbling psychosexual wackos, and eventually lose audience empathy. Nevertheless, I'm going to bet even money some producer in the future comes up with a white-haired judge who settles civil disputes among sexually overactive litigants. This feature has enough story and hot sex to make it very worthwhile.