6.2 | / 10 |
Users | 3.6 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.2 |
Adrian Lyne buffs the premise of Honeymoon in Vegas to a fine gloss in this yuppie melodrama that poses the conundrum of whether the loving husband of an equally loving wife will accept $1 million to allow his wife to spend one night with a billionaire who looks like Robert Redford.
Starring: Robert Redford, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, Oliver Platt, Seymour CasselRomance | 100% |
Erotic | 62% |
Drama | 19% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Some things aren't for sale.
The early 1990s saw several risqué pictures steam up theaters, among them Paul Verhoeven's
edgy, well-made thriller Basic Instinct, the
throwaway outing Sliver (also featuring Sharon Stone), and Director Adrian Lyne's (Fatal Attraction)
star-studded Indecent Proposal. Featuring a cast that boasts the names Robert Redford
(Spy Game), Demi
Moore (G.I. Jane), Woody
Harrelson (Natural Born
Killers), Oliver Platt (Flatliners), and
character actor Seymour Cassel, it's a shame that Indecent Proposal ultimately plays out
as completely vapid and without much meaning or depth. Playing with the idea of and the
repercussions from a one night, million-dollar tryst on both a young, financially-struggling married
couple and the billionaire playboy that comes between them, Indecent Proposal features
a good premise that could have made for one of the better psychological Dramas of the decade.
Seemingly meant to examine the
bonds of love, the allure of money, and the struggle to reconcile between the two, Indecent
Proposal does little more than tickle the surface, playing out as shallow melodrama with a
predictable story arc and good character development that falls by the wayside when the plot
needs it to.
For love or money.
Indecent Proposal makes its high definition debut with a 1080p, 1.78:1-framed transfer. Heavy grain dominates most every shot. Viewers will note above-average levels of detail throughout, particularly in several interior kitchen shots of David and Diana's home. Detail never fluctuates much between the foreground and background; objects appear generally sharp in both areas of the frame, though close-up shots don't particularly stand out as strikingly impressive. The many interior casino shots also don't showcase an abundance of fine detail. Appearing slightly hazy, textures and depth don't particularly impress, but they don't necessarily look bad, either. Colors do tend to stand out, a few bright, outdoor scenes later in the picture reveal strong hues, but the aforementioned casino sequences don't revel in the abundance of colors one might expect of them. Flesh tones remain a neutral shade throughout, but blacks occasionally devour background details. All in all, this isn't a bad transfer. It's not exactly handsome, either, but it is rendered well enough on Blu-ray.
Indecent Proposal arrives on Blu-ray with a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. This front-heavy mix never stands above the crowd. Ambient casino noise spreads out across the front to good effect, with beeps, buzzes, patron chatter, and the coins spilling out of slot machines playing well here and there. However, there is no sense of total immersion into the experience as the rear channels rarely come out to support the front. A few outdoor scenes midway through the picture feature the faint sounds of rustling grass, a blowing breeze, or a dog barking in the distance. Once again, the experience doesn't necessarily impress but the results don't surprise considering Indecent Proposal's early 1990s roots. A few effects do pour into the back speakers on occasion, but they rest for most of the two hours for this one. Music plays clearly enough and dialogue never sounds muffled. Indecent Proposal offers up a suitable soundtrack that supports the film's basic sonic needs but does little else.
Certainly not sporting a million-dollar supplemental package, Indecent Proposal fails to seduce buyers seeking a long list of extras on the back of the box. All that is included here is a middling commentary track with Director Adrian Lyne. He dryly delivers a plethora of information, including shooting locales, shooting around casino rules and requests, working with the legendary Robert Redford, why he likes particular scenes, and more. Though plagued by some gaps, the track flows well enough and fans of the picture, its director, or both should enjoy it.
Indecent Proposal proposes a good idea that is handled expertly at first and indecently for the remainder of the picture. A good first half, marked compelling drama; solid acting; and good, fundamental filmmaking falls by the wayside in favor of a trite and superfluous experience that never really touches upon but in a superficial sense the repercussions of the affair. Though still worth watching for the good first half and above-average performances from its collection of A-list talent, Indecent Proposal isn't nearly as good as Adrian Lyne's best works but it is representative of his fascination with the world of erotica also explored in films like Fatal Attraction, 9 1/2 Weeks, and Unfaithful. Paramount's Blu-ray release doesn't particular impress. The transfer seems faithful enough to the source, the lossless soundtrack plays predominantly through the front speakers, and a director's commentary track makes up the entirety of the supplements. Worth a rental for the curiously inclined.
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