Absolute garbage. Totally irredeemable. No humor. Disgusting, stupid, pointless. Clunky acting and directing! It seems like a film student's junior year thesis. Rubbish.The movie opens with a prostitute, remarkable pretty for a street hooker, standing by the roadway with lots of 'honks,' looking for customers. Some dude pulls up and they discuss what she is willing to do for what price. The man bluntly says, "I want to f--k you up the a-s!" and she says, "Why don't you stick it up our own ass hole, creep" and he replies, "I would if I could!" This is the only humor in the entire film. Seriously. They allude to a brutal gang rape of the prostitute, then show her with bruises, stockings trashed, etc. It was pretty upsetting to watch because it seemed realistic. This movie is totally irredeemable. I had to turn it off after about 30 minutes of pure drek. It's VERY BORING and choppy. The movie does not flow well at all. The prostitute directly addressing the camera and 'breaking the fourth wall' just seems like a gimmick after about 20 minutes. This is no Ferris Bueller. This is trash, exploitation and a horrible script all together. Shows LA for the Urban wasteland that it truly is!

Ken Russell's "Whore" begins with an amusing shot of cars driving through a tunnel (R-rated Freudianism?) coupled with a Jamaican rap on the soundtrack about doing the "boom boom" with girls. Russell, who directed the film and co-adapted the screenplay from David Hines' play, is highly adept at quirky bits of business--blending hammy, outré comedy with blunt-force dramatics--but with "Whore", his mix of in-your-face, sexually-comedic bits and pieces are not always compatible bedmates next to the violence or the introspective moments. Theresa Russell plays Liz, a streetwise hooker full of bravado; often addressing the camera directly, Theresa speaks with an odd swagger in her voice (as if she's channeling someone standing beside her). Striking amazing poses--like Lolita all grown up--Theresa Russell has some choice moments (usually when she's not speaking, as with a silent come-on to a guy who turns out to be gay), but she is not a vulgar, cartoony actress and is too refined to be slutty. Her performance continually improves, however it isn't in the actress's nature to talk tough like a lady truck-driver. There are well-wrought sequences (such as when Russell's friendship with a possible lesbian is interrupted by a vicious pimp, an incredible moment done without principle dialogue), but the film isn't very sexy. Those looking for a raucous good time will be disappointed (can you imagine how that inelegant title looked on the movie theater marquees?), and those hoping for a serious take on the prostitution business probably won't stick around past the first hour. Many scenes simply fall flat, yet "Whore" is a mixed-bag; it's not a deep-thinker, it's not exceptionally revealing, but it leaves an impression behind, along with some giggles, some embarrassment, and some sadness. ** from ****

I really enjoyed this film because of the acting of Ms.Russell. Though all the characters were painted with the usual overly broad strokes. The only problem I basically had with this film, was that Ms. Russell's character was much too glamorous to be a *street whore*. Her skin and make-up were flawless, she had nice teeth etc.. It sounds silly, but I notice these things when watching films. That was the most un-authentic part of this film, noticing how perfect she looked.From viewing documentaries depicting real life prostitutes (HBO's series about hookers in the Bronx, those women were rough....missing teeth, barely literate etc) and other movies depicting the horrors of prostitution, we all know they usually don't look as good as Ms. Russell does in this film....unless they are call girls. Call girls aren't as abused as street hookers, they usually have a decent and comfortable place to be with their clients.Most street whores have drug problems, even if they don't, that rough 'street life' certainly takes a toll on ones looks. I saw none of that in Theresa's character. She looked young and vibrant! Nevertheless, she gave a great performance given the below par script she was given to work with. I also enjoyed the 'Alfie' speaking-into-the-camera style and the anti-"Pretty Woman" message. Anyone who thinks prostitution is in any way 'glamourous', well, they need to read a bit more about the seedy demeaning aspects of that life. Then go back to school to get a decent education, so they can get a normal job. There are no free rides, pardon the pun, in that world.Good performances all around. Though it would have been nice to see Antonio Vargas play a different character other than a wacky street person, at least he wasn't a pimp!

Highly recommended along with "Crimes of Passion "(both the uncut versions of course). I never knew that this was Ken's answer to "Pretty Woman". No one would ever realize that... But this "whore' is a helluva lot more realistic. I wish the great soundtrack would get released (as well as the DVD). Anyone know if it was ever released in another country? I heard it was in japan, but not sure. This and SPUN and BAD LIEUTENANT soundtracks NEED to be released. I can't tell how many fans I've come across who want these! It would be awesome if they could do DVD/ soundtrack CD deluxe editions. There's too much good music in these films to be overlooked.