On first glance Private Resort just seems like another vacation themed sex comedy, which I suppose it was upon release all those years ago, but time has been kind to this T&A romp since you'll still get a good handful of chuckles from all the abundant nudity, slapstick, and mistaken identity goofiness on display but what makes it worthwhile is the fact that our two leads here (Rob Morrow, Johnny Depp) both went on to lengthy, critically-acclaimed careers. It also gave me the chance to fulfill a childhood fantasy of seeing Leslie Easterbrook, who is best known as the big-breasted authoritarian Callahan in the Police Academy flicks, in a see-through nightie.

It's easy to figure out what kind of movie you're watching when the opening credits comprise of plentiful close-up shots of the female anatomy while an upbeat pop song blares on in the background. So much for subtly, I suppose. Into the picture comes best friends Ben (Morrow) and Jack (Depp) who are going to be spending four days in the Miami resort to do some girl watching and try to score while they're at it. Also on hand is 'The Maestro' (Hector Elizondo) a crook who is out to steal a valuable diamond necklace from one of the wealthy guests and pretty waitress Patti (Emily Longstreth) who is basically here to be a love interest for Ben - and is given a montage moment to prove it.

This being the type of flick it is, you know our pals are going to end up caught in the middle of a whole slew of shenanigans and the script by sitcom veteran Gordon Mitchell (this is his only actual film credit) delivers everything you'd anticipate. There's bare breasts uncovered as much as possible and it's usually either at the hands of a pervy youngster who tries to remove bikini tops using such things as a fishing hook and robot claw hand or situations where they are accidentally pulled off. We also get moments involving a Buddha-loving girl who enjoys stripping down, Ben running naked down a hall, and some attack dogs being whipped with a condom(!).

Under the direction of George Bowers, Private Resort is definitely more entertaining than I was expecting. Bowers also helmed 1982's underrated My Tutor and brings that experience here. Sure, the comedy is silly and the entire thing reeks of sexism but that's pretty much what films made in the decade were: excuses for skin and juvenile chuckles.

Given that this only focuses on two friends rather than a group of stereotypical horny guys (you know the ones: the nerd, the jock, the fat guy, etc.) it's a good thing that our soon-to-be-stars are a likeable duo. Morrow's nice guy Ben takes main focus over Depp's wannabe ladies man but they both seem to be having fun with the material. There's not a lot of evidence of Depp's many great performances to come but, much like his earlier role in A Nightmare on Elm Street, I got a kick out of seeing him in something he wouldn't be caught dead anywhere near these days. Busy character actor Elizondo makes for an acceptably silly villain, shock comedian Andrew "Dice" Clay makes an early appearance as a bullying womanizer, and Easterbrook is good eye candy - even though she's said in an interview that she was tricked into her semi-nude scene. However, the flick belongs to Dody Goodman (Splash, Grease) who steals the show as rich Mrs. Rawlings getting the funniest moment where she breaks out her kung-fu skills.

By now you should know if Private Resort is for you. If, like me, you find yourself drawn to sex comedies, especially ones originating in the 80s, then it's a no-brainer you should check this one out. This isn't going to join the upper echelon of sex comedies like Porky's or Revenge of the Nerds but it does deliver a fun, unassuming 82 minutes. (Chris Hartley, 12/17/10)

Directed By: George Bowers.
Written By: Gordon Mitchell.

Starring: Rob Morrow, Johnny Depp, Emily Longstreth, Karyn O'Bryan.