Female Perversions Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Female Perversions Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 24, 2025

Relationships and torment drive 1996’s “Female Perversions,” which is an adaptation of a book by Louise J. Kaplan. The female mind is dissected in the picture, putting screenwriters Julie Hebert and Susan Streitfeld to work investigating the depths of feelings and fears that swarm the characters as they deal with different stages of panic. The helmer looks to make an artful film, and one that taps into intimacy of thought while trying to sell a story about sisters coming to terms with their past. “Female Perversions” is insightful and undoubtedly relatable for many viewers, and while Streitfeld battles to maintain a tale worth investing in, she delivers an uncompromising feature filled with provocative ideas and visuals, aiming for an offering that inspects the Female Experience in a complex manner.

Eve (Tilda Swinton) is a successful lawyer on the verge of becoming a judge, facing an upcoming interview that could potentially change her life. She battles her inner self on a daily basis, turning to sex to help avoid her feelings, spending time with geologist John (Clancy Brown) and psychiatrist Renee (Karen Sillas) to keep herself from melting down. Also providing a distraction is her sister, Maddie (Amy Madigan), who’s been arrested for shoplifting, forcing Eve to deal with small town law and their troubled relationship. Interacting with various women during this experience, Eve is confronted by her own raging insecurities, desperate to steel herself before her big meeting, only to face the depths of her emotional issues.

The nooks and crannies of Eve’s mind are the main source of drama in “Female Perversions.” Streitfeld generates a vivid understanding of her fragility and practiced confidence, putting the character in a gladiatorial arena of her own making as she worries about competition from other women, while most male figures are viewed as predators constantly making judgements about her appearance. This torture exists in her head, and Streitfeld finds ways to communicate such horror, giving viewers access to private thoughts and feelings that make up Eve as she handles all the stress in her life. She’s not the only one wrestling with herself in “Female Perversions,” which also explores the ways of Emma (Laila Robins), who battles love woes. And there’s Annunciata (Frances Fisher), an exotic dancer who employs sexuality as power, while her daughter, Edwina (Dale Shuger), a 13-year-old tomboy, faces a lonely existence as she develops into womanhood.

“Female Perversions” develops a plot with the arrest of Maddie, finding her kleptomania finally catching up to her, resulting in a weekend stay in jail. Eve has to juggle her upcoming interview with pressure to help her sibling, inspiring scenes of distress as scheduling intensity starts to break down the main character. The writing isn’t always interested in following the development of such strain, as Streitfeld is mostly committed to atmosphere, often more interested in surreal asides and dreamscape visits, which turns the feature into an art installation at times. It’s a little frustrating to watch, even when her intent is clear, as strong ideas concerning personality and emotional exposure are periodically interrupted by Streitfeld’s filmmaking interests.

Female Perversions Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Female Perversions" is listed as a "brand new restoration from its 35mm camera negative." Detail is strong throughout the viewing experience, exploring skin particulars and fibrous costuming, which investigates the heaviness of business attire and the sheerness of lingerie. Living spaces and offices retain room dimension, and exteriors are deep. Colors are compelling, preserving striking hues on hair and makeup, especially with the redness of lips. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Female Perversions Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix maintains definition with dialogue exchanges, supporting a range of performance choices. Scoring secures sharp instrumentation and fullness, joined by occasional ethereal vocals, maintaining clarity.

Female Perversions Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet contains essays by Kate Hagen, Philippa Snow, and Madelyn Sutton.

• Commentary features film historian Alexandra Heller-Nicholas.

• "Coming Back Around" (22:33, HD) is an interview with co-writer/director Susan Streitfeld, who details her inspiration for "Female Perversions," using her interest in art, Mexico, and the original Louise J. Kaplan book to fuel her creativity. Entering Hollywood, Streitfeld found her way into an agent role, receiving a thorough education on the film business, helping her to put together her directorial debut. Casting is analyzed, tasked with hiring actresses willing to explore themselves on camera, and the thematic reach of the writing is identified, with European audiences more receptive to the feature. The interviewee also delves into time, examining what the picture represents all these years later, making the offering potentially more relatable today.

• "A Real Story" (12:42, HD) is an interview with co-writer Julie Hebert, who met director Susan Streitfeld through the world of theater, generating a creative relationship. A breakdown of the adaptation challenge is detailed, working to maintain the original book's tone and develop a more dramatic cinematic presence for its intended audience. The interviewee convers casting and share her memories of the shoot, experiencing a film set after decades on the stage. Career highlights are identified, and the themes of "Female Perversions," and its relevancy, are assessed.

• "Ahead of Its Time" (10:54, HD) is an interview with cinematographer Teresa Medina, who shares a technical assessment of making "Female Perversions," highlighting camerawork and color choices. Medina celebrates the filming experience, and she points out location and set work during production.

• "Jumping Through Hoops" (14:18, HD) is an interview with actress Karen Sillas, who recalls the experience of "being uncomfortable" with "Female Perversions," which is a feeling that remains today. Sillas offers analysis of the material and its thematic reach, mostly reacting to the feature as a viewer today, dissecting its reality and raw depiction of certain traumas. The interviewee also provides a celebration of director Susan Streitfeld.

• "The Soul of Film" (13:11, HD) is an interview with actress Frances Fisher, who recalls her initial meeting for the picture, dumped into the deep end of "Female Perversions." Research was conducted, sending Fisher to meet with several strippers, getting to understand their work requirements and lives, finally connecting with a dancer offering a special burlesque stage presence from a unique perspective. The interviewee also examines her relationships with co-stars and the female crew, and she embraces the messages and inscrutable qualities of the picture, excited to have it back in circulation.

• "No Egos" (7:59, HD) is a video conference interview with actress Dale Shuger, who examines her career opportunities around the time of "Female Perversions," surprised to find intelligent material. Production memories are shared, and Shuger's connection to the character is highlighted. She also supplies memories of the Sundance Film Festival and her time at the premiere of the movie. The relevancy of the feature is honored as well.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Female Perversions Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Female Perversions" goes to places few films dare to explore, eventually examining self-harm and self-loathing, also sharing views on addiction. It eventually settles on family issues, and that isn't quite as enlightening as other troubles for Eve. Streitfeld tries to humanize the journey, which is laudable, but it results in a slightly uneven study of an emotional breakdown. However, there are performances to embrace and ideas to savor, as "Female Perversions" does, at times, truly drill to the core of insecurity and generational confusion in a vivid manner.