Facets of Love Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		2.5

Facets of Love Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman November 12, 2024

Note: The glut of Shaw Brothers films coming to Blu-ray seems to be continuing in full force, with huge sets like Arrow's Shawscope Volume Three due imminently as this review is being written, and other sets from the likes of Shout! Factory also in the offing. 88 Films has been joining this particular martial arts fray, and is now offering three probably lesser remembered Shaw Brothers offerings as standalone entries coming out on the same day/date, albeit somewhat "branded" and packaged similarly. The three are this film, The Kung Fu Instructor and Kid from Kwangtung.

Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan is one of the films Shaw Brothers fans can look forward to seeing in the upcoming aforementioned Shawscope Volume Three collection, and in some ways, this film mirrors that film's sometimes tawdry tale(s) of "the world's oldest profession", as even the trailer for this film kind of hilariously calls it. However, perhaps due to the way the women are treated and the nefarious, smirking presence of what kind of amounts to a prison matron character, Facets of Love might also remind some of any number of so-called "women in prison" outings. Mix in a liberal dose of the Shaw Brothers version of a Japanese "pink" film, and the stage is set for a kind of unavoidably misogynistic narrative that also offers Jackie Chan in a relatively early role.

As the back cover of this release kind of alludes to, there's an undeniably "decadent" air to the proceedings, which in fact may verge on the downright smarmy at times, especially as poor, unfortunate "conscripts" into a life of prostitution are unceremoniously tortured in order to force their compliance. The film does offer a decently sumptuous production design and Lily Ho chews the veritable scenery as the madam you don't want to cross.

Facets of Love Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Facets of Love is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.36:1. The back cover offers only a generic "HD transfer from the original negative" as its sole technical data point. This is another generally great looking presentation, though I found the color timing to look just a bit skewed toward yellows at times, meaning things like royal reds can come off just a bit toward the orange side. Flesh tones can also look slightly on the brown side. Otherwise, though, things pop quite nicely throughout, and the film utilizes what look like some actual outdoor locations on occasion. Detail levels on the nicely designed sets and costumes is typically excellent, and some of the makeup effects, like some terrifying wounds on the back of one hapless woman, offer gruesome fine detail levels. Once again any number of anamorphic oddities spring up (see screenshot 3). Grain resolves without any issues.

Facets of Love Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Unlike the two other films 88 Films is releasing in conjunction with this one, both of which had English dubs, there's only a Mandarin LPCM 2.0 Mono track on this disc. There's really nothing to complain about here, though this track has a probably more boxy overall sound than its "siblings". That said, effects and scoring are generally well delivered (there's just a hint of breakup at the highest frequencies), and dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.

Facets of Love Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer (SD; 1:23)


• Stills Gallery (HD; 2:01)

The keepcase features a reversible sleeve and encloses reproductions of lobby cards. Packaging features a slipcover.

Facets of Love Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The back cover of this release kind of hilariously calls Facets of Love "a good deal saucier" than your typical Shaw Brothers martial arts effort, and so it's probably best to approach this film with an understanding that it's the veritable "battle of the sexes" rather than any kung fu wizardry that will inform the narrative. Technical merits are generally solid for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.