A creaky adaptation from the David Hine play, Bondage, Ken Russells Whore in a fashion as blunt and downright vulgar as the title suggests tracks a day in the life of Liz (Theresa Russell, no relation), that good old hooker with a heart of gold. Pretty Woman, however, this is most certainly not.
Instead, this sordid life story unfolds via a humourless and, frankly, risible monologue to camera, loaded with well-thumbed philosophising on sexual politics (Men dont want sex, they want revenge) and punctuated by a series of unpleasant flashbacks, from a particularly gruesome gang rape to the ex-husband who throws up all over that diligently-prepared evening meal.
Theresa Russell is obviously doing her level best to bring something anything to such a hollow character but is clearly up against it with such a seriously hackneyed story and a wardrobe mistress from hell who here kits her out in a series of flesh-oozing costumes that leave little to the imagination and quite a lot to be desired in the department of decency and good taste.
Ultimately, the only relief from this serious error of judgement is to play Spot-The-Cameo, with Huggy Bear (Fargas) turning up as a bum who walks on broken glass for no apparent reason, Twin Peaks Pete Martell (Jack Nance) as a passing good samaritan, and even Ken himself as a waiter in a restaurant for swanks. This aside, Whore is a film almost entirely bereft of merit.