DVD: The Pet (2006)

Every now and then somebody tries to go one better than Just Jaeckin and do another variation on Story of O. Usually they fail for one reason or another. Gerald Damiano tried to do one with Story of Joanna, but his complex idea never survived a curtailed budget. With all the bondage videos floating around these days, it's not surprising someone would try and do the definitive female sex slave movie.
But The Pet isn't the one. It's not much of anything, to be truthful. The plot: a rich man decides to initiate a penniless young woman into becoming his human "pet". Once he signs her up to the program, he changes her name from Mary to "GG" (for Good Girl). She is led around naked on a leash and barks. At the same time, there is a sinister group of wealthy slavers who try to capture people from all over the world and sell them for pets or organ donors. And that about sums up the plot.
The worst problem is the actors. Andrea Edmondson is most definatley pleasing on the eyes, but the lady can't act her way our of a paper bag. It's telling that her best parts are when she becomes "GG" and no longer has to talk. Pierre Dulat looks the part of a jaded European aristocrat, but his accent is so pronounced that you can't understand a word of what he's saying. And what the hell is with the two hicks who brand the "pets"? They have the worst cowboy accents I've ever heard.
Visually, the film looks great. Lush sets, exquisite surroundings. Nice lighting. Director D. Stevens lists his principle occupation as "still photographer" and it shows. Sir, don't quit your day job.
As far as for an honest depiction of the Master/slave lifestyle, all I can say is "What the f*ck?" Ridicoulsly large brandings? Shock collars that look like metal ones? Slaves being sold for organs? Thank you, Mr. Stevens, for giving us a world a serial killer would enjoy.
So, don't waste your time renting or buying this movie. Go get the 1975 version of Story of O if you are into this sort of kink.