Candy striper fantasies aside, the hospital is usually thought of as an antiseptic if not foreboding place ... not an environment particularly conducive to sexual hijinx, especially when attached to a catheter. To its credit, Night Nurses exploits rather than ignores this trait. The fact that it's shot in a real hospital (at night) lends credence to the creepy theme.

Key to its success is establishing an ambiance of the forbidden. Doctors are supposed to be friendly and helpful like Marcus Welby, not sicker than their patients ... but in Ran Takami's imagination, the house of healing is a perverse sanitarium - and she, the prey. The rooms, the storage closets and even the surgeries are places of unprofessionally perverse behavior.

The action will especially appeal to viewers who enjoy watching submissive women being overpowered by both sexes. Under this milieu, forceful seduction gives way not to rape fantasies but a strange feeling of being swept away by overpowering sensuality, which includes foot and asshole licking. The videography is ripe and voyeuristic, roving closely over the writhing bodies as they interact with more intensity than the usual Japanese fare. While not quite reaching the heights of nominations-worthy scenes per se, Night Nurses might be considered for a "best import" award.