Marie Liljedahl, the original Inga, returns as an older, sexually experienced sex kitten who's broken up with Karl, her boyfriend from the previous film. Fortunately her loss is soothed by a relationship with her employer, older novelist Sig (Lennart Lindberg), who offers an escape from the dismal flophouse where Inga spends her nights. However, Sig's life is complicated by his scheming ex, Greta (Inger Sundh), who has more than a few tricks up her sleeve. Carnal temptation for Inga also arrives in the form of neighbor Rolf (pop star Tommy Blom), a counterculture musician who appeals to her baser instincts. Which path will she choose?
If the plot sounds like a slightly smuttier version of Reality Bites, that isn't too far off the mark. Fortunately Sarno's film isn't afraid to play dirty and honest, with a couple of nasty curveballs waiting in the third act to keep viewers on their toes. Liljedahl is an intense, uninhibited and appealing presence as usual, and the stylish, slightly bitter late '60s vibe creates a compelling experience unlikely to be duplicated again. However, the story moves at a sluggish pace and comes off as a bit dispiriting in the end; it's no great shock to learn that the age of Free Love was soon to disappear.
The amount of sizzle you get with this package will depend largely on which version you choose to view. The first disc contains a shoddy, cropped transfer of the original export cut, prepared to Sarno's specifications. The second disc offers the extended "grindhouse cut," prepared by U.S. distributor Jerry Gross and featuring some inserted footage to spice up the sex scenes. This one looks far better, with nice colors and accurate widescreen framing. Both versions are dubbed in English and not 16x9 enhanced, so buyer beware.
Whatever shortcoming the presentations of the feature may have, fans will still want to snap this up for the extra features. Sarno, wife and regular DVD cohort Peggy, and Liljedahl appear for a 20-minute retrospective documentary, "Innocence Lost: The Story of Inga" (with most attention given to the sequel). All three recall the film with varying degrees of clarity (Joe Sarno wins hands-down), and Liljedhal (still wearing a distinctive leather get-up a la her interview on Blue Underground's Eugenie disc) still cuts an imposing figure.
"Memories of Inga," a sort of mini-commentary over a series of images related to the film, is the audio recollections of producer Vernon Becker. Also included are a newly created music video for the title song (complete with snippets from both films), a preview for Sarno's long-awaited new film Lust for Laura (shot on video, alas), and a clutch of Sarno trailers including Inga (two versions), Butterflies, Swedish Wildcats, Girl Meets Girl (Bibi), and Veil of Blood (as Vampire Ecstasy). Best of all in the extras section is another complete Sarno film! Never released on video and thought lost, The Indelicate Balance is a colorful chamber psychodrama about an artist and his wife who return home for a highly dysfunctional family reunion that sends the wife into the arms of another woman and triggers a series of traumatic revelations. Letterboxed and presented in decent shape, the film was taken from the sole surviving film element (with a few nicks and tears) and is a must for Sarno fans. In fact, this would probably make a better intro for newbies than either version of the main feature. Peggy Sarno returns for an audio commentary with sleaze collector and archivist Gary Huggins (who uncovered this one) and video label producer David Fine.
To order The Seduction of Inga, go to TCM Shopping.
by Nathaniel Thompson
