Viva Vanessa is the story of the filming of the story of “porn star” Vanessa Del Rio’s life.  It’s a quirky kind of film, shifting from present sexual encounters to flashbacks of sexual encounters to on-the-set filmings of sexual encounters.  If that sounds like a lot of sexual encounters, then I think you’re getting the idea.  All of these great scenes work because Vanessa Del Rio participates. 

Vanessa exudes all of the qualities that make porno stars.  She’s not in this industry by chance; she has natural talents which predispose her to it.  The amazing contrast occurs when you view how uncomfortable she looks as she fumbles through her lines at the beginning of the scene and how confident and in control she looks when the scene has developed to the point where Vanessa gets to do what she does best. She’s as sultry and voluptuous here as she has been in her classic porn performances.

Beyond the truly well-performed sex throughout the film, the on-the-set scenes prove very interesting and downright educational.

Director Henri Pachard (who plays himself) is shown directing a scene and we’re given some insight into the relationships between director and actor, as well as the personal off-the-set relationships between the actors in this industry.