Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Climax! Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 29, 2023

1985’s “Climax” takes viewers to Atlantic City for a study of marital insecurity and carnal appetites featuring a variety of undersexed characters. It’s not a comedy, but the material seems primed for some type of farce to breakout, as the story (a loose term here) deals with revolving partners in different beds, setting viewers up for a lively viewing experience highlighting iffy behaviors from odd people. However, “Climax” elects to go a little dark during the run time, with the endeavor more interested in detailing kinks and obsession, which basically throws a wet blanket over what becomes a half-baked tale of manipulation and revenge.

Charlie (Eric Edwards) is in Atlantic City for a medical conference, but instead of participating in the event, he’s in a room playing poker with Doc (Joey Silvera), a musician. Unable to cough up the cash to cover his debt, Charlie offers his wife, Ann (Cody Nicole), as payment for his losses, only the spouse doesn’t know about the situation. She’s busy with her own affairs, also worrying about Harriet (Tish Ambrose), a nymphomaniac who constantly puts herself in sexual situations. Harriet is obsessed with her doctor, Howard (George Payne), trying to keep the man of medicine all to herself, but he’s distracted by the daughters of a colleague, hoping to keep his affair secret from his wife (Kelly Nichols), who’s also interested in feeling out her sexuality.

“Climax” is a film about infidelity, with director Henri Pachard working to make something passably likable out of a grim sense of marital loyalty. It’s a tonal tightrope walk for the best of productions, but this endeavor isn’t tightly scripted, coming across as a highlight reel of curious types looking to see what they can get away with. Charlie gambles his wife away, and Doc isn’t afraid to do what he pleases, enjoying himself with two coat check employees after a gig. Charlie is also open to sleeping with others while away from his wife, who does the same at home. Howard’s dealing with a colleague’s daughters, unable to resist their emotional volatility, and his wife is also growing adventurous. With Harriet, things are a bit different, as she’s controlled by her addiction, prone to presenting herself to voyeurs, and she’s after Howard, who responds to such attention by sedating the woman, giving the feature a coating of ickiness as the half-conscious woman is brought into a sexual experience.

Climax! Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 2K scan of the original 35mm negative. There's good clarity to enjoy here, with a crisp look at skin particulars and fine hairs, and costuming retains compelling fibrousness. Decorative elements in living spaces are open for inspection, and a few exteriors are dimensional. Color is vibrant, handling bright primaries on clothing choices. Room elements, such as green poker table felt, is distinct. Skin tones are exact. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is heavy and film-like. Source is in decent condition, with some mild wear and judder.

Climax! Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD provides clear dialogue exchanges, dealing with different performance choices and levels of articulation. Bedroom events also register clearly. Music is inherently muted, but instrumentation is appreciable.

Climax! Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features producer Roberta Findlay.

• A Trailer has not been included.

Climax! Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Pachard can only hang on for dear life with "Climax," which doesn't make time to clarify some character relationships or deal with reactions to major discoveries, which happens repeatedly in the movie. He aims to keep things relatively light, but that's not what the film really wants to be at times, delving into troubling and controlling behavior from corrupt human beings, and some criminal activity is found here as well. "Climax" isn't shy about bedroom encounters, with most of the run time devoted to lengthy sex and seduction scenes, leaving little room to deal with character developments that seem important in the early going of the feature, with everything soon forgotten in the race to reach a non-conclusion involving marital bonds being smashed to pieces.