Jade 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Jade 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

While enjoying a few career highlights in the 1980s (including 1983’s “Flashdance” and 1985’s “Jagged Edge”), screenwriter Joe Eszterhas enjoyed a very lucrative 1990s. 1992’s “Basic Instinct” transformed him into a major Hollywood entity, and all the studios wanted a piece of the action, paying millions to get their hands on his latest endeavors. 1995’s “Jade” is part of this gold rush, representing a portion of the mania that surrounded Eszterhas and also his downfall, as the box office failure of 1993’s “Sliver” and the bombing of 1995’s “Showgirls” helped to extinguish his once red- hot career. “Jade” is pretty much the final offering of indulgence when dealing with Eszterhas, who creates an erotic thriller that’s heavy on mystery and grim when it comes to sex. Director William Friedkin (no stranger to professional woes) steps in to make sense of the writing’s darkness, out to create his own version of an opera with the work, which enjoys wild swings of behavior and villainous reveals. The film is at least somewhat functional for its first two acts, watching Friedkin manage Eszterhas’s greasy imagination and clunky dialogue, pushing his actors to go bigger in an effort to merge behavioral broadness with sexual violence. The bizarre mix of detective activity and obsession doesn’t carry throughout the movie, but there’s enough here to embrace for those who enjoy lurid cinema.

Jade 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"Jade" is listed as "presented in Dolby Vision HDR and newly restored from its 35mm original camera negative." The release also provides a Director's Cut, and an information card before the film details the work that went into recreating this version of "Jade," which was previously available on VHS. To help build the cut, footage was taken from different 35mm interpositives, and film elements that were lost were covered by a "Paramount-created SD master." Differences in quality are unavoidable but not distracting (see the last two screencaps). Overall, the viewing experience handles with detail, exploring wear and tear on the characters, and clothing textures are intact as the story moves from professional outfits to lingerie and its sheerness. Interiors are open for inspection, examining the depth of massive living spaces and small office events. Exteriors deliver dimension around the streets of San Francico. Color is vivid, working with defined primaries on urban events and cultural views (which carry nuanced reds and blues), and moodier hues remain steady during domestic activity. Greenery and hair color (as the production features two red-headed actors) is distinct. Skin tones are mostly natural, but redness is present at times. Blacks are deep, preserving evening activity. Highlights are tasteful. Source is in good condition.

Jade 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix delivers crisp dialogue exchanges throughout the listening event. Performance choices are easy to follow, and hushed encounters are balanced. Scoring delivers sharp instrumentation and suspense moods, working into the surrounds for a more immersive experience. Opera selections are also defined, with clear vocals. Atmospherics are active, exploring community bustle during parties and street events, adding a few panning effects along the way. Echo-y rooms also register with depth. Sound effects are appreciable. Low-end carries some mild weight with violent events. Due to source differences on the Director's Cut, slight changes in quality and volume are detected.

Jade 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet collects essays from Marya E. Gates, Juan Barquin, Charles Bramesco, and Justin LaLiberty.

• Commentary features writer Jennifer Moorman.

• "The Charlie Rose Show" (12:58, SD) is a clip from the talk show, with guest William Friedkin stopping by to promote his latest release, "Jade," and discuss highlights from his career. Rose hits the interviewee with a discussion of his troubled box office record, pushing Friedkin to assess his work and response to it. The helmer's time in documentaries is assessed, highlighting his interest in this kind of storytelling and his wish to return to it. "Jade" is eventually brought up, detailing the history of the material and its casting, describing David Caruso as the "new Steve McQueen." Rose also brings up industry interest in Linda Fiorentino's success, with Friedkin labeling her as "the most courageous actress I've ever worked with" and "something of a genius."

• "Eszterhas, Friedkin, and 'Jade'" (7:02, HD) is an interview with screenwriter Joe Eszterhas, who originally sold "Jade" as a six-page outline to Jerry Weintraub, which didn't go anywhere. Robert Evans eventually picked up the project for Paramount, and boss Sherry Lansing pushed William Friedkin forward to direct. Eszterhas recalls Friedkin's public support of his writing, claiming he wouldn't "touch a comma," only to radically change the script during production, including the ending. The interviewee details his fatigue with the industry and his alcoholism, eventually pulling out of Hollywood for a simpler life. Eszterhas closes with thoughts on the reassessment of "Jade" and "Showgirls," also pointing out the hypocrisy of sexual curiosity when it comes to men and women.

• "Hysterical Blindness" (22:07, HD) is an assessment of William Friedkin during his Paramount days, featuring interviews with editor Augie Hess and assistant editor Darrin Navarro. Hess was part of the industry change from film to digital, brought in to help make sense of 1994's "Blue Chips," winning over Friedkin due to his ability to "edit as fast as he could think." Navarro was hired by Hess to help with "Jade," accepting the job to acquire stories while working around notorious hothead Friedkin, only to experience a smooth ride with the helmer. Tales from the "Jade" shoot are shared, including use of producer Robert Evans's real house and, allegedly, his own collection of public hair. Editorial interests are highlighted as the director pushed for more ambiguity, only to find rejection from test audiences. After the feature bombed at the box office, a "director's cut" was ordered to help sell video tapes, putting the editors back to work on the feature. Navarro closes with a detailing of his professional relationship to Friedkin, eventually hired to help his final offerings and take control of the "Jade" UHD release after the helmer's passing.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:53, SD) is included.

Jade 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The writing sets up a sordid world of blackmail and threats, adding bits of kinky sex to really give the film a nice coating of oil. Friedkin knows how to sell some of this, offering decently compelling tension as the main characters play psychological games, creating interesting areas of paranoia to explore as matters grow complicated for everyone. "Jade" also has its exciting events, including a foot chase and a car pursuit sequence that's handed amusing exaggeration by the helmer, who brings a little "Dukes of Hazzard" into the picture as vehicles soar through the air. There's a feel for the physical and the ridiculous that holds the movie together for quite some time, but Friedkin eventually loses control of the offering, as the final act goes into standard thriller mode, killing the sleazy tone, turning to absurd B-movie activity. "Jade" has its issues with consistency, payoff, and performance, but as junky cinema goes, Friedkin seems sincere in his approach, trying to titillate and repel with equal concentration.