Awakening, The

Paul Thomas has created a modern masterpiece with The Awakening, inspired by the true story of a 1970s adult film star who turned to new age religion to calm her sexual discontent before eventually committing suicide. Emotionally stunning, this psychological story of sexual healing ranks with Thomas' best work, like The Masseuse, Bad Wives, Justine and Bobby Sox. Inari Vachs delivers a stunning performance as the sexually confused starlet, as does Kobe Tai as her ex-junkie singer friend. Both deserve pre-noms for Best Actress. Equally good is Bobby Vitale, with a career-best performance as the link between the two girls that easily earns him a Best Actor pre-nom, as well.