Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Best Friends Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 25, 2020

“Best Friends” has the appearance of exploitation cinema, but somebody forgot to inform co-writer/director Noel Nosseck that his movie should be a little sleazier, or least more suspenseful. The 1975 release tends to go for the heart instead of cheap thrills, following one man’s desire to retain the experience of youth while he marches into adulthood. Post-Vietnam War PTSD issues and homoeroticism are a few possible dramatic avenues for Nosseck to explore, but he mostly sticks with a slightly agitated relationship story, which is never memorable enough to leave a lasting impression.

Fresh out of military duty, Pat (Doug Chapin) is looking to reconnect with his best pal, Jesse (Richard Hatch), with the pair embarking on a road trip across the southwest to get back in touch with their youthful ways. Jesse has brought his girlfriend, Kathy (Susanne Benton), while Pat is joined by Jo Ella (Ann Noland), with the foursome planning a wedding day at the end of their journey. However, Pat is losing interest in the big plan, acting up in strange ways, confusing Jesse. And when shenanigans escalate to dishonesty, Jesse begins to understand that Pat is looking to get rid of the women, desperate to experience the open world with his buddy all to himself.

Early scenes in “Best Friends” retain the spark of reunion and the freedom of the open road. We watch as the buddies and their girlfriends pile into an RV and experience American interstates and pit stops, with Pat a newly released man trying to restore all that was lost to the war. He’s a confused guy, but a spirited one, tempting Jesse with his wild behavior, creating an escape while the gang drives toward the inevitability of responsibility. “Best Friends” makes it clear Pat is unhinged, with his jokes turning into pranks, and his pranks becoming violent. There’s so much that’s fascinating in this character arc, as Pat is aware of the life changes ahead, refusing to give up on his past with Jesse. It’s up to the viewer to decide if such obsession is merely born from nostalgia or unspoken attraction, as “Best Friends” doesn’t explicitly state Pat’s psychological state. It’s a shame too, as a more daring picture would amplify the jealousy in play, finding a more gripping depiction of sexual fixation as Pat becomes an Iago-like figure, creating a plan to turn Jesse against Kathy, also trying to destroy Jo Ella’s sense of self-worth in the process.

Best Friends Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Billed as "Newly scanned and restored in 2K from 35mm vault elements," "Best Friends" delivers a bright, detailed viewing experience. The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation carries an appealing amount of clarity, delivering dimensional looks at the road trip aspects of the production, following interstates and long beaches. Skin particulars are also textured, showcasing some battle scarring on Pat's hands. Colors retain clear blue skies and tanned skin, while costuming finds shades of blue denim and orange, enjoying style trends of the decade. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in decent condition, with some speckling and mild scratches detected.

Best Friends Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix comes through with decent clarity, though age is apparent. Dialogue exchanges are satisfactory, detailing emotional outbursts and dramatic conversations without disruption. Scoring cues are gentle, setting an acoustic guitar mood with passable instrumentation. Soundtrack cuts are a bit livelier, adding some folksy rhythm to the effort. Atmospherics are blunt, along with sound effects.

Best Friends Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "A Lifetime of Music" (10:57, HD) is an interview with musician Rick Cunha, who details his early years in the business, singing backup for different artists, creating his own path. Time with the band Hearts and Flowers was Cunha's passion before making a move to solo work, and he shares his youthful drive to learn the steel guitar. Influences are shared, along with his employment story for "Best Friends," with label GRC Records pushing him to participate, handed creative freedom he never found again in moviemaking. There's talk of manufacturing the tunes for the picture, along with his chart success at the time, and his current status, enjoying retirement.

• "Movies & Travel" (32:47, HD) is an uncut video conference interview with cinematographer Stephen M. Katz. Interestingly, he begins with the start of his career, sharing his limited interest in movies, pushed into a gig on "Angels Hard as They Come" by his sister, Gloria Katz, the co-writer of "American Graffiti" and co-director of "Howard the Duck." Katz found himself working steadily for Roger Corman before "Best Friends" entered his life, and he doesn't have much to offer about the production. More memories are shared about "The Pom Pom Girls" and "Switchblade Sisters," becoming a specialist in photographing sexual assault, and he enjoyed a major career graduation when he was hired to shoot "The Blues Brothers." Hollywood issues are recalled, along with his love affair with Paris, eventually moving to France. Some technical philosophy is presented, and his brief transition to direction is explored.

• "Educate Yourself" (15:10, HD) is an interview with editor Robert Gordon, who details his move from the Vietnam War to Disney, getting his first Hollywood experience. Along the way, he befriended Noel Nosseck, leading to a collaboration on "Best Friends," where a crew of "young and eager" professionals enjoyed a prime learning experience. Gordon explores his move up the industry ladder, getting studio work on "The Blue Lagoon," and eventually a gig on "Toy Story." Additional memories are offered for "Return of the Living Dead," including a candid assessment of director Dan O'Bannon. There's talk of travel and editorial philosophy, and his move to direction for 1994's "Revenge of the Red Baron," which promptly cured him of any additional helming curiosity.

• "Making Friends" (13:24, HD) is an interview with co-writer/director Noel Nosseck, who recounts his background in educational films, working up the energy to raise $75,000 to make "Best Friends," which was shot over 14 days. Nosseck details his love of movies and his effort to create the script, following a road trip template, but admitting he fell short in his original plan to make an exploitation endeavor. Casting choices and musical selections are recalled, along with the learning experience of the shoot. A sale to Crown International Pictures resulted in zero residuals or even awareness of box office performance. The interviewee also details his long career and his current position as an educator.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

Best Friends Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The head games aspect of "Best Friends" is compelling, and the story takes a few unexpected detours into regional hellraising, including a scene of aggression and stripping inside a Native American bar. There's nothing wrong with the performances, and certain ideas on loss and love are potent. There's just very little that's commanding about the production, which desires to be tender while the writing submits an angry read of Pat's actions, with Nosseck muting the feature's nervous energy, limiting its emotional punch. It ends up a mediocre melodrama and a disappointing offering of exploitation.