Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Blue Money Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 4, 2017

1971’s “Blue Money” is a domestic drama and a procedural feature about the production of pornography, mixing some soulfulness into an effort that’s primarily about sneaking in as much skin as possible. Director Alain Patrick funnels his experience in adult entertainment into this movie, hope to bring to the screen an authentic recreation of life as a porno producer, with all the flakes, crooks, and fear involved, often preventing a smooth assembly of sex. As a semi-documentary, “Blue Money” is actually quite interesting, capturing corners of the skin business that aren’t normally addressed, going a long way to demystify how the industry works. The rest of the film isn’t nearly as compelling, finding Patrick too enamored with himself to honestly attack his woeful lead performance and uninspired screenplay.

A porn director, Jim (Alain Patrick) is trying to do the right thing, hoping to assemble enough money from selling adult films to fund the completion of his boat, taking his wife and baby away to freedom on the ocean. However, monetary woes are worsening, with distributors paying less but demanding more, leaving Jim to keep grinding out features. Into his life comes Ingrid (Inga Maria), a comely actress who takes a shine to her director, with the pair embarking on an affair, which eventually threatens his domestic situation. Also weighing heavily on Jim’s mind are threats of federal busts, with agents keeping a close tab on the production of pornography, waiting to lock up anyone involved.

Patrick is a handsome man, but not much of an actor, trying to carry the heavy dramatic load of “Blue Money” all by himself. It’s not an inspired lead performance, but part of this could be blamed in the production itself, which doesn’t have the funds to do much of anything with the plot, keeping the majority of the film to character interplay in small rooms. Sex doesn’t help “Blue Money,” but the mechanics of pornography are compelling, watching Jim oversee a slightly bored crew and problematic actors, trying to capture as much sellable heat as he can. Ingrid’s subplot is forgettable, but her position as temptation introduces realism, including unavoidable jealousies between loved ones and paid ones, with Jim’s vision eventually fogged by lust.

Blue Money Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation has the benefit of period style, bringing out impressively refreshed hues for costuming and locations, which provide compelling greenery and California colors. Skintones are equally important to the viewing experience, showcasing a natural look that helps with intimate encounters. Detail is ideal, with impressive sharpness exploring body parts and urban touring, clarifying distances. Interiors also maintain a textured appearance. Grain is filmic. Delineation can be thick at times, but frame particulars aren't overwhelmed. Source displays some mild scratches and speckling.

Blue Money Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix provides a strange listening experience, with viewers unfamiliar with "Blue Money" left to wonder if the feature was haphazardly assembled or simply hit with age-related issues. There are a few audio dropouts along the way, abruptly shutting down music cues and dialogue exchanges. Performances sound satisfactory, handling accents and thespian skills pleasingly. Soundtrack selections, including the main title track, are a little unsteady, prone to warbling, but loud enough to pass. Sound effects are pronounced, especially sex scenes. Hiss is minimal.

Blue Money Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "The Affairs of Aphrodite" (73:19, HD) is a 1970 directorial effort from Patrick, which brings softcore action to a period film. Included here as a bonus feature, the source shows considerable wear and tear.

• Interview (13:47, HD) with producer Bob Chinn is amusing only because the subject looks as though he'd rather be anywhere but in front of a camera talking about "Blue Money." Chinn is a low-key guy, making his memories about the production unintentionally downbeat, discussing Alain Patrick's ambition to make a feature, using his experiences with the rapidly changing adult film industry to inform the screenplay. Chinn is candid about "Blue Money" and the people who ultimately assembled and sold the picture, making his input valuable.

• Promotional Still Gallery (1:49) collects snaps from the production, including some marketing materials.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:49, HD) is included.

Blue Money Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Threat comes in the form of surveillance transmissions scattered around "Blue Money," building toward rumor of an upcoming bust, threatening to ruin Jim. It's awfully strange to watch the feature attempt to create a heart, teasing complexity with Jim's martial entanglements and professional ruin, but the filmmaking isn't strong enough to inspire sympathy. "Blue Money" ends up scattershot and empty when it comes to a human perspective, but the grinding gears of the adult industry often save the viewing experience, giving outsiders a peek behind the curtain to witness as much humiliation going on behind the camera as there is in front of one.