The set-up for Taylor Hackford’s hazy docudrama has all the potential for a funny, freaky bit of ’70s scuzziness: it’s the mostly-true story of Joe and Sally Conforte (‘Bontempo’ in the film), the sexual pioneers who opened The Mustang Ranch, the first legally-sanctioned brothel in the US.
Better yet, the ill-starred couple are played by Helen Mirren and Joe Pesci, who pump pathos and venom into their characters.
Sadly, the film never delivers the goods, quickly devolving into soapy, hand-wringing melodrama.
Who knew sex, violence and infidelity could be so dull, especially in the ’70s?
