Although many may dismiss this movie as nothing more than standard porn, it is only fair to judge it within the context of others in its genre. Downstairs, Upstairs stands ahead of the class for a number of reasons.
Unlike the "adult entertainment" of more recent years, movies made during the "golden age of porn" still emphasized plot, dialog and character development. Since the movie was based on the popular BBC series, the producers had a head start on the creative process. Stars like Lisa DeLeeuw, who is very funny in this picture, and Kay Parker helped their vision become a reality by providing on spot performances.
This is the only movie starring Sherisse, who played the starring role perfectly. Kay Parker was still in the earliest days of her adult career and set the standard for all of her future work. The scene with Lisa DeLeeuw and the "little person" (although, I think they were still referred to as midgets when the movie was released!) has become a cult classic for those who are inclined toward that particular fetish.
For those looking for a taste of what porn can be, Downstairs Upstairs is highly recommended. More info and clips can be found at xrated80s.com