O: The Power of Submission pays homage to both the classic novel by Dominique Aury and the 1975 film, The Story of O.

This version, while obviously far more graphic than the 1975 film, does, however, stay very true to the source material, mirroring it in terms of the overall characterizations, story and major scenes that take place. All done with a modern and XXX twist, of course.

The story follows a young erotic photographer named O (played by blonde and busty Carmen Luvana) who is submissive to her lover Ray (Tommy Gunn) and she will do anything to please him. To this end she is taken to a house where she is taught how to be a good submissive and offer herself to anyone at the house who is interested. While O tends to act very haughty and above all of this, she also submits to whatever she is asked to do. Her rebelliousness reminding you all the while that though she is technically being submissive, she clearly chooses to engage in these acts and ultimately it’s up to her whether or not she goes through with any of it.

The movie points out many of the basics dos and don’ts of BDSM, yet does it in such a way to be informative, but not heavy handed or overly instructional. And unlike most adult titles that feature BDSM and tend to focus more on that element of things, this movie is very heavily focused on the actual sex, which is often hot and very well done.

The performances by the actors, while porn awful at most points, often reflect realistic attitudes and representations of master and submissive dynamics. While O does eventually go along with Ray’s decision to give her to his brother Steven (played brilliantly by Evan Stone), her initial reaction of outrage, comes across as genuine and realistic. And when she does finally decide to concede and become Steven’s plaything you know it’s ultimately because she decides that she wants to, not just because Ray wants her to. Another scene where a woman bargains with an attendant to let her smoke in the house in exchange for anal sex is another example of a submissive doing things for reasons other than because someone told them to.

The cast are all fairly attractive and give good performances. While I generally prefer brunettes, Carmen Luvana is very sexy and is fun to watch. When she slips in the occasional Spanish muttering while she is being ravished it makes her scenes all the more erotic. Evan Stone plays the conceited and controlling Steven quite well and has become a favorite male performer of my pet and I, as he clearly enjoys his work and has a sly grin all throughout.

Nina Hartley plays dual roles as both a woman employed in the house that directs the girls in their duties and trains them, and as the narrator of the story. While she does not perform in a sexual capacity, she does whip O in the opening sex scene in the house and instructs her on how to properly whip someone else in a later scene. Justine Joli (a major standout from the supporting characters) plays a fellow female submissive in the house who receives the spanking from O, followed by a hot lesbian romp with her afterwords, in one of the movie’s better scenes.

In the end, O, in a major departure from both the book and 70’s film, turns the tables on the brothers and decides that neither of them is strong or worthy enough to deserve her, and rejects them both. While this is consistent with her version of the character (who displays a rebellious steak all throughout) and clearly paves the way for a sequel, it comes across as an odd way to leave things. Especially if you are familiar with the original story, and considering how otherwise faithful this version is to that.

If you are looking for an in-depth character driven version of this classic story, you’ll be disappointed. But if you are looking for hot BDSM themed play and hardcore fucking, then this is a title you do not want to pass up.

My pet and I watched this movie in segments several times and it always led to us getting involved in some hot action of our own. It is definitely a fun title to watch with someone you want to play (or do even more) with.