Liquid Assets Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Liquid Assets Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 1, 2018

It’s always a little strange to come across an adult movie that almost views sex as an unnecessary distraction. 1982’s “Liquid Assets,” from Roberta Findlay and Walter Sear, would rather be a comedy than anything else, putting effort into the schemes of the plot and the timing of silliness, with this satire of the theater and tax cheats doing whatever it can to secure a laugh. Perhaps something more seductive should’ve been in order, but “Liquid Assets” has special determination and a unique target for lampooning to make it semi-successful as the film it wants to be.

Sear and Findlay set up a basic tale of a farm girl trying to conquer the NYC theater scene, but they twist it with bizarre complications, becoming “The Phantom Menace” of pornography by spending quite a lot of time on a tax-dodging conversations and plans, getting a little too deep with the central idea of a slimy guy intentionally backing an awful show (“Piece and War”) to get out of trouble with the IRS. A collision of egos and rubes ensue, and there’s the added enjoyment of watching Ron Jeremy have his way with a blow-up doll for a significant amount of screen time.

Liquid Assets Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The "Liquid Assets" disc opens with a note from Vinegar Syndrome explaining that inherent camera issues contribute to some unstable scenes in the movie. It's a noticeable issue but not a problem, especially when the rest of the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is wonderfully bright and clear. Colors are especially jubilant, with blazing reds and deep blues, while skintones handle pinkness without an issue, keeping bodies inviting. Detail is terrific, identifying facial particulars with ease, picking up on facial hair and make-up thickness. Costuming is textured, along with sets and decoration. City visits maintain depth. Delineation is communicative. Source displays some mild scratches and speckling.

Liquid Assets Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA mix does the job when it comes to maintaining comedic rhythm, preserving dialogue exchanges, and sexual situations are appropriately amplified with bedroom sounds. Music is appealing, delivering consistent support and clean instrumentation. A few stretches of crackling are found, but damage is limited.

Liquid Assets Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features producer/editor/cinematographer Roberta Findlay.

• Audio Interview (33:27) features writer R. Allen Leider.

• Interview (14:54, SD) with Veronica Hart is a breezy conversation with the charismatic actress, who recounts her initial trip to New York City, finding her spot in the adult industry and meeting Roberta Findlay and Walter Sear, commenting on their tight relationship. Labeling herself an "insufferable ham," Hart shares her approach to the wackiness of "Liquid Assets," appreciating the film's broad style. Hart also recalls time with various co-stars, but shares interesting specifics about Samantha Fox, who, in later years, turned on the adult industry, showing up on "Donohue" to condemn her past.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (3:46, HD) is included.

Liquid Assets Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Liquid Assets" is cheeky when it isn't expository and cast well with talents such as Veronica Hart, Sharon Kane, Samantha Fox, and Bobby Astyr. Heat is limited, but if one pays close enough attention, perhaps there are some valuable tax tips to be collected between laughs.