Really, for fans of the exploitation movies of the 1970s, this movie may come as something of a disappointment as it's definitely not as trashy and sordid as the title would indicate. It's actually sensitively handled, even comically handled at times, as Vicki (Therese Pare), our 17 year old title character, is in something of a hurry to grow up, even though she's a little put off with her friends' obsession with sex. Eventually, of course, we know that innocence of hers will have to be tested, as among other things, she tries hooking up with a nice older guy named Jerry and, after running away from home, gets looked after by a benevolent prostitute named Lorraine (Lydia Wagner), who's a better maternal figure than one would think, never encouraging her new young acquaintance to emulate her, although Vicki does try. In one extended comedy sequence, Vicki has a day on the town, dining at a fine restaurant and not having a good time of trying to down some Irish whiskey. Meanwhile, her nice guy would-be boyfriend Robert (Roscoe Born) has his own misadventures, including being whipped on the butt with a belt. One thing that this reviewer must agree with is that they truly don't make films quite like this anymore, which is just too bad. Even if this isn't sleazy enough to satisfy some tastes, there is something fascinating about its low, low budget seediness; it's just unfortunate that for a film running 87 minutes there's a fair bit of padding. Still, the film has its moments, such as our heroine stepping in dog excrement. And, just to keep trash lovers from ever getting too bored, there are breast shots here and there to make sure they pay attention. Young Pare is definitely reasonably appealing, which is a big help, as is Born, and Wagner acquits herself well with the older role. Nothing major ever really happens in this thing, but some viewers may not mind too much. It is important to mention that for John Goodman fans hoping to see him in this inauspicious film debut, he's barely in it, and you have to pay close attention - he's in an afro wig at the Halloween costume party. Character actor Michael Pataki, who'd worked with writer / director John Hayes on "Dream No Evil" and "Grave of the Vampire", contributes an uncredited cameo. Five out of 10.
