Rating summary
| Movie |  | 3.0 |
| Video |  | 4.5 |
| Audio |  | 4.0 |
| Extras | | 3.0 |
| Overall | | 4.0 |
Pretty Peaches Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 13, 2014
Well, I’ll admit this is the first time I’ve sat through an entire adult movie.
1978’s “Pretty Peaches” emerges from the mind of director Alex de Renzy, a pioneer in the field of pornography and a filmmaker with some degree of artistic vision. Starring Desiree Cousteau as a bubbly woman hit with bout of amnesia, the picture aims for a farcical sense of momentum, following the character as she’s approached by opportunists, including a doctor (Paul Thomas) and two small-time crooks (Joey Silvera and Ken Scudder), who prey on her cluelessness.
The production is professional, with decent performances (Cousteau is an appealing dim-wit) and some sense of pace. However, eroticism is pretty much non-existent, watching de Renzy show more care with traumatic incidents than sensual ones. “Pretty Peaches” contains two rape scenes, with the second one a lesbian group attack in front of a paying audience that leaves our heroine in a fit of tears afterwards. Hot? And there’s also a controversial enema scene, where Cousteau is forced to endure a special rear cleaning from a bathroom wacko, spraying the fluid build-up all over the room. Yikes. More traditional encounters with willing participants are included (and there’s a climatic oil-based orgy), but de Renzy doesn’t have much patience for intimacy. He’s more interested in making a movie, not shaping an offering of excitement.
Pretty Peaches Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Pretty Peaches" brings classic adult cinema into the HD realm with startling clarity, allowing a full appreciation of the parade of flesh and matted body hair. Detail is terrific, especially when the actors are hit with bright lighting, sustaining a filmic appearance that highlights technical achievements. Colors are nicely maintained, with natural skintones throughout. Blacks remain unchallenged, but keep definition. Some damage is detected, along with displays of judder.
Pretty Peaches Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix doesn't show any particular complexity, holding to a routine of crisp dialogue exchanges and scoring cues, a few dialed up a tad too high, drowning out the performances. Sexual atmospherics and sound effects are expectedly sweetened, pronounced throughout the listening experience.
Pretty Peaches Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
- Interview (19:25, SD) with director Alex de Renzy is an undated chat from a low-res video source, but remains the only visual conversation with the famous helmer. Discussing the origins of his career and his professional achievements, de Renzy is animated and eager to share his perspective on the adult entertainment business.
- Interview (11:03, SD) with Dr. Ted Mcilvenna is a more academic chat about de Renzy with someone who knew him and his work quite well.
- A Trailer for "Pretty Peaches" isn't included, but Trailers for additional de Renzy titles are offered, including "Pretty Peaches II" (3:38, HD), "Femmes de Sade" (3:46, HD), and "Baby Face II" (3:37, HD).
Pretty Peaches Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
Sex doesn't seem to be the point of this disc, which hopes to preserve a slice of classic adult cinema, not celebrate titillation. Watch it with reduced expectations, and "Pretty Peaches" is entertaining in fits, but it certainly looks outstanding on this exemplary BD release. And if you love enemas, here's your "Citizen Kane."
