Buddies Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Buddies Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 30, 2018

The selling point of 1985’s “Buddies” is its status as the first movie to confront the growing AIDS pandemic of the decade, coming out a few beats before television and indie film set out to explore the subject matter. Written and director by Arthur J. Bressan Jr., the picture deserves accolades for timing and its sincere handling of a troubling topic, taking a theatrical approach to the study of disease, fear, and human connection. It’s a little rough around the edges, but “Buddies” has an impressive concern for life and love, with Bressan Jr. trying to articulate the frustration of living with an illness most have chosen to ignore, offering no help or comfort to those forced to deal with what was then a brutal death sentence.

Robert (Geoff Edholm) is dying of AIDS in a hospital, recently abandoned by his loved ones, forced to suffer alone as the unknown creeps into his once vital life. David (David Schachter) is a “buddy,” or a trained friend sent to provide Robert with company while he endures treatments, spending time with the bedridden man. As the two make conversation, they get to know each other, with David creating a book about the AIDS crisis, hoping to inspire national conversation by including various perspectives on the pandemic. Robert is uneasy with the attention, growing frustrated with his illness, creating an intimate relationship with David, who’s initially unsure of his participation in the program. As time passes, the men open up to each other, revealing secret pain and desires, while David is suddenly tasked with managing the patient’s daily experience, which weighs heavily on him, detailing his time with Robert in a journal.

“Buddies” isn’t interested in wasting time concerning the discussion of AIDS, opening with a shot of a computer printout listing all the names of the recently deceased, putting extraordinary numbers up front to establish the tone of what’s to come. It’s an effective introduction, joined by a mournful string score composed by Jeffery Olmstead, which carries the viewing experience, offering a haunting sound to backdrop Robert’s plight, where he’s trapped on a bed in a hospital, unaware of what’s coming for him as he experiences care and treatments, left to die alone by his loved ones, who, due to the fear factor of AIDS in the 1980s, have all dropped contact with him.

Into this barren life comes David, who doesn’t bring sunshine with him, but offers company and a sympathetic ear, hired to provide human contact with those who’ve been shunned. “Buddies” is primarily about this mission, largely taking place inside Robert’s hospital room, which gives the characters time to get to know each other. Bressan Jr. leads with this dynamic, setting up a play of sorts as David and Robert converse about the state of AIDS awareness in America and beyond, recall their past lovers and relationships, and they find themselves locked in conflict over the content of David’s upcoming literary project, with the proud typesetter putting together a book that’s meant to supply a wider understanding of the AIDS crisis, but Robert fears that any inclusion of religious condemnation will promote dangerous misconceptions, creating more panic to help obscure to view of real issues, including the rise of AIDS in heterosexual circles.

“Buddies” is talky but it’s emotional and provocative, with the topic of pride troubling both men. David brings a VCR into the hospital room (a luxury item back in the day) to show Robert footage from a “gay day” parade, which inspires an argument about identity and happiness, with David remaining closeted for the most part, unwilling to expose his private life to a community that could use the support. Perhaps most pointedly, “Buddies” also deals with sexuality, finding Robert trying to reconnect with all he’s lost through masturbation, inspiring powerful scenes of vulnerability and longing, with David trying to be supportive as he witnesses profound emotionality. It’s a lesson that begins to carry into his own life, forced to reconsider his own private world and easy relationships.

Buddies Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation is billed as "Newly scanned and restored in 2K from 16mm original camera negative." There's little doubt that this is best "Buddies" has looked since its original theatrical playdates, reemerging in HD with a bright, filmic appearance that's respectful to the modest achievements of the original cinematography. Detail reaches about as far as it can go, delivering a comfortable sense of facial particulars, which often emphasize decay and anxiety, while minimally decorated sets are open for inspection, along with written material that's presented to the camera. Colors are tastefully refreshed, picking up on bolder costumes and beach hues for flashbacks, and hospital whites are pronounced, communicating a feel for the sterile environment. Delineation is satisfactory. Source has some inherent photography defects and the occasional hair, along with mild speckling and a few chemical blotches.

Buddies Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA mix is not built for expanse, offering an intimate presentation of dialogue exchanges, which sound clear and true for the most part, only hitting a few muffled moments. Performances command the listening event, with emotionality easily to understand. Scoring is confident, with a full sense of string instrumentation. Hospital and exterior atmospherics are acceptable.

Buddies Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (32:31, SD) with David Schachter examines the actor's early relationship with writer/director Arthur J. Bressan Jr., with the pair former lovers before reuniting to work on "Buddies." Schachter recounts the nine-day shoot, which was structured like a play and sped along by Bressan Jr., who was looking to quickly assemble the picture to maximize public impact, with production occurring in May, 1985, and the premiere held in September. Attention to characterization is recounted, with Schachter actually applying to become a Buddy to see what the process was like, eventually participating in the program. The star also shares memories of Bressan Jr., recalling his spirit and personality, also detailing his death in 1987, giving "Buddies" greater importance. There's talk about co-star Geoff Edholm, and Schachter gives an update about his life, including disillusionment with acting and his eventual move into academics.

• Interview (20:29, SD) with film historian Thomas Waugh explores the history of gay cinema leading up the release of "Buddies," along with identifying the interviewee's expertise. Bressan Jr.'s career is also discussed.

• Still Gallery (2:38) offers publicity pictures, BTS snaps, premiere photos, newspaper clippings, and poster art.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:33, HD) is included.

Buddies Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Buddies" is warmly acted by the Schachter, who has the intriguing part of a content man suddenly realizing the thin ice he's standing on, with David trying to wrap his mind around the AIDS pandemic, seeing his research differently after this personal encounter. Edholm has the more expressive part, doing well with Robert's panic attacks and heated frustrations, selling the pain of immobility as the young man loses control over his life. "Buddies" is melancholy work but vital due to its determination to discuss a taboo topic, with Bressan Jr. working hard to inspire conversation and confront misconceptions, using his movie as a way to expose the nuances of illness and its collateral damage.