Redemption – Adam & Eve Pictures – Director – Stormy Daniels – Cast – Aiden Ashley, Laney Grey, August Skye, Allie Adams, Barrett Blade, Jay Romero, Ryan McLane, Will Pounder and Stormy Daniels.
***** 5 stars
Sheeeee’s baaaack! Stormy Daniels has been here, there and everywhere over the past few years spreading her multi talented wings in many different directions and with well deserved success. Now she is back to give her legions of fans a sprawling, grandiose, eye catching western drama with “Redemption”. It has everything that we have come to expect from Ms. Daniels and her story writing, pin point direction, incredible sets, superb casting, twists and turns and grab the heartstrings drama.
To some this release may conjure up ideas that it was born by way of another big modern day western showing on TV today, but that is not the case. Ms. Daniels had begun this vision long before the Kevin Costner TV western was a reality. The fact is the Redemption is a somewhat sequel to her mega hit from 2015 “Wanted” that was set in the old west. When Ms. Daniels and Adam & Eve got together this time, she created a contemporary Western story where the central figures of the film would be the descendants of the “Wanted” characters. With the idea and story firmly in place Ms. Daniels put together a great team in front of, and behind the cameras, led by her husband, the multi talented Barrett Blade, in the male lead spot but also as the music director and director of photography. Shot in several locations including here in Florida, I can tell you that Barrett’s artistic cinematography is exceptional offering some breathtaking visuals that lend to the overall story in a very big way.
Now, about the story and what is in store for the viewer as things begin to unfold? Things begin to go downhill when the family patriarch who was the glue that held this family together over the years dies. As it came unexpected it catches the family off guard and now someone needs to take charge. So, it is the daughter, Samantha (Stormy Daniels) who is a very strong, no bs type woman who takes over. A sneaky, the hell with the rules developer who wants the land the ranch sits on is an immediate problem. Of course, now that she has taken over running the family and ranch there are other problems facing her. Her sister Brittany (Aiden Ashley) left the ranch sometime ago for life in the big city but returns. Her daughter Meghan (Laney Grey) who is a handful and the man in her life Braxton (Barrette Blade) who is exactly what she needs whether she knows it or not. All of the connections and more to come create a sprawling canvas that has everything going on as individuals, but also as a team that hopefully can put certain issues aside to work for the common goal of saving the ranch and the family history.
From the opening of the film that is built around the passing of the head of the family James Morgan, to the surprising end, Ms. Daniels weaves a very complex story that give each of the characters a chance to shine, rather than just be a bit piece. There are some very dramatic moments that will have you rooting for and against. There are moments when you think you know what comes next and then….pow! Another Stormy Daniels twist and turn comes your way. That is a vehicle that Ms. Daniels uses in most all her films to great success to keep you guessing as the story moves along. When it comes to the sex scenes there are five of them and all of the players get their chances to shine. Once again under the detailed direction and shared chemistry between the performers the sex scenes deliver big time in every way to keep you focused on the action taking place between them.
So much we could tell you, but why ruin all the drama, action and surprises that await your viewing? Suffice to say this production has almost 20 award nominations between AVN and XBIZ that will be announced later this month. It already won the prestigious “First Choice” award back in October at the 31st Annual NightMoves Adult Awards show. This is a slam dunk, grand slam return for Stormy Daniels in many ways, so do not miss out on getting this modern day western as “Redemption” will not disappoint in any way.
Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN
