King Cobra

Justin Kelly's "King Cobra" is a titillating piece of gay-themed cinema that knows what will get gay audiences to watch, but forgets to say anything worthwhile in the process. As a result, it feels garish and tawdry, appealing to the base desires of its intended audience.

The film is about seventeen year old Sean Paul Lockhart (Garrett Clayton), who auditions for an indie gay porn producer Stephen (Christian Slater) and gets the job. With Stephen being somewhat of a loner (his real job is a family photographer) and deeply in the closet, he falls for Sean and starts to take care of him. Meanwhile, Sean has become porn sensation "Brent Corrigan," and is making Stephen a lot of money. As Brent begins to see his worth, his attitude toward Stephen changes and things start to go awry.

Meanwhile, another gay porn producer named Joe (James Franco) and his best porn star Harlow (Keegan Allen) are making their own mark on the industry, but aren't getting nearly the traction as Brent Corrigan. With their expenses out of control, the two lovers try to figure out a plan to take Harlow to the next level.

These two stories eventually intersect, and that's when things go murderously out of control.

While there is an interesting look at the porn industry here, the actual business of the industry is never really given any depth. In fact, the entire film feels weirdly under-populated. The movie simply comes off as a cool indie film with an '80s vibe, similar to "Drive." The cast of '80s favorites including Slater, Alicia Silverstone as Brent's mom, and Molly Ringwald as Stephen's sister is curious, especially when the two women aren't given a lot to do. Silverstone has a few good scenes, but Ringwald (who is almost unrecognizable) is wasted.

The aspect of the film that will put it into "must see" territory is the constant sex that Kelly puts on screen. Some of it is necessary storywise, but other times it just feels like pandering to a salacious audience that wants to see their favorite young TV stars grown up and naked. A movie about gay porn doesn't have to be wall-to-wall sex, especially if you are trying to say something about the industry. But what Kelly is trying to say isn't clear. What is this movie really about? Is it just a look at a headline-making tragedy? Is it an indictment of the porn industry in general? Is it mocking the porn industry and those that prey on the people within it? It's sort of about all of those things, but doesn't really come up with any thought-provoking ideas.

Thankfully the acting is good, with Slater being the most impressive here, playing way against type. He is a damaged soul that has gotten himself into an industry where he can manipulate people to get what he wants, but what he wants is just to be loved for who he is. It's a careful dance, and Slate plays it beautifully.

Clayton -- who is a Disney Channel kid and has been playing gay a lot lately ("The Fosters" "The Real O'Neals") -- is effective as the innocent (and then not-so-innocent) Brent, as is "Pretty Little Liars" star Keegan Allen, who gives Keegan a dirty, desperate edge. The worst, however, is James Franco, who plays it so frenetic and over the top that his presence grates on the nerves.

Ultimately, there's not much to remember here except a lot of R-rated sex between various characters and the oft-told tale of a kid who gets involved in an industry that takes advantage of him. This is one cobra that strikes, but has no bite.