Indecent Exposure Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Indecent Exposure Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 1, 2020

1981’s “Indecent Exposure” has the right idea for adult entertainment, at least for the first two acts. It’s a production from director Gary Graver that’s trying to break out of cheap sets and bedrooms, with writers C.W. O’Hara and Harold Lime concocting a road trip for their characters, permitting some sense of freedom as the production visits a few corners of California to have a little fun with predatory personalities. There’s enough forward momentum and location variation to carry the viewing experience, which goes from light, silly escapism with sexual encounters to a darker probing of psychology in its last act. Why? Even after watching the entire film, it’s difficult to understand the dramatic intent.

Fashion photographer Tony (Robert Kerman) is planning a road trip to expand his portfolio and take advantage of willing models looking for their big break. He’s involved with Lilah (Veronica Hart), who can’t stand his lecherous behavior, and he’s barely tolerated by June (Jessie St. James), his assistant. Teddy (Eric Edwards) is Tony’s overworked, undersexed pal, invited to join the gang on their tour of the west, meeting with modeling hopefuls. However, all the fun, games, and partner swapping takes a toll on the foursome, who end up meeting Ariel (Georgina Spelvin), an heiress with plans to scramble their minds via a dangerous behavior experiment.

“Indecent Exposure” sets the disco mood early, watching Tony, who’s basically a con man, orchestrate a dance-themed photo shoot, growing weary of the studio-bound routine. His upcoming tour is meant to deliver fresh talent to the faux-Italian artist, but it’s made clear the journey is meant for sexual satisfaction, with Tony bringing along Teddy to enjoy the fun. There is entertainment value in watching the group hop into a van and travel to a health food store, with the owner happy to share her all-natural body. A ballet school brings out the insatiable side of dancers. And a meeting with affluent parents connects Teddy to their daughter, 18-year-old Chrissy (Laura West, who’s clearly not a teenager), who has a special surprise for her lover. It’s not much, but “Indecent Exposure” has pace and a sense of humor, with Kerman clearly relishing a chance to play a corrupt human being, while Hart really commits to the moment, giving the endeavor a little more emotion than it probably deserves.

Indecent Exposure Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Listed as "Newly scanned and restored in 2k from its 35mm original negative," "Indecent Exposure" offers a dimensional viewing experience, with the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation offering clarity throughout. Detail is vivid with body particulars and costuming, which delivers a fibrous look at dancewear and disco outfits. Business attire is equally appreciable. Interiors deliver sharp decoration, and exterior distances are open for exploration as signage and city streets are visited. Colors are exact, embracing period taste with reds and oranges. Skintones are natural. Delineation is communicative. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good shape, but a few scratches are detected, along with jumpy reel changes.

Indecent Exposure Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is simple, but it offers a clear understanding of the performances in "Indecent Exposure." Dialogue exchanges are clean, with comfortable argumentative surges and a full understanding of carnal response. Soundtrack cuts favor a disco beat, and while highs are a bit fuzzy at times, instrumentation is satisfactory. A few slight dips in volume is likely an inherent issue.

Indecent Exposure Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:39, HD) is included.

Indecent Exposure Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The party abruptly comes to a halt in the final section of "Indecent Exposure," which graduates from a giddy scamps-and-the-women-who-dislike-them viewing experience to The Stanford Prison Experiment, finding Ariel manipulating positions of power and trust to fulfill her scientific vision. The tonal change is enough to cause whiplash, but Graver stays with it, aiming to sober up an adventure that doesn't do well with reality, turning something light into a dark event. Perhaps such sophistication scratches a few legit filmmaker itches, but it doesn't magically make "Indecent Exposure" an interesting picture. The effort is more engaging as a weird romp, not as a study of psychological pain.