Steaming Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Steaming Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 15, 2017

Based on the play by Nell Dunn, 1985’s “Steaming” is the last feature film for director Joseph Losey, the helmer of “Modesty Blaise,” “The Trout,” and “The Romantic Englishwoman.” Losey’s career ends on a confident note with this production, which preserves the movements of the source material, maintaining concentration on the lives of women who frequent a Turkish bath, sharing their stories, hopes, and fears with one another as the business becomes a center of therapy for the customers. Although it isn’t a sophisticated transfer from stage to screen, Losey wisely preserves the flat look of the production, keeping concentration on the characters and the drama they encounter and periodically invent.

Vanessa Redgrave, Sarah Miles, Diana Dors, and Patti Love star as four women experiencing life as it comes, spending time in a Turkish bath to deal with issues of love, marriage, motherhood, and self-confidence, finding the relaxing surroundings helping to create a confessional atmosphere. Dramatic direction arrives with a plan to tear the bath down, forcing the women to figure out a solution and save the building, but the bulk of the feature is entirely conversational, with each character purging their fears to the group, working through problems that test their patience and mental stability, with a few choosing to transform their troubles into theater for the room.

Steaming Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers a new scan of the 1985 feature. Detail comes through nicely, and while the story remains in a single location for the run time, there's lots to search for in the frame, including set ornamentation and background action, which remain in view, even with softer cinematography. Nudity is a major element of the movie, and skin particulars are not obscured, delivering interesting textures. Colors preserve blue water and vivid skintones. Delineation is acceptable. Grain is filmic. Source deals with debris and scratches, but damage isn't sustained.

Steaming Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Age is most apparent in the 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix. Intelligibility isn't shut down, but the track is slightly muddy, missing fresh voices to best support the unfolding drama. There are sharp highs to deal with, and accents periodically lose clarity. Scoring also comes across dulled, though dramatic intent is never missing. Soundtrack selections fare a little better due to sheer force. Atmospherics are available, capturing steam-filled rooms and splashing water. Hiss and pops carry throughout.

Steaming Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:43, HD) is included.

Steaming Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Steaming" is well-written and it's impossible to discount any performance, which bravely undertakes lengthy monologues and deep emotional dives while dealing with nudity and perpetual wetness (this could not have been a fun movie to make). It lacks profundity and cinematic presence, coming off as a filmed play, but "Steaming" retains compassion for its participants and a willingness to listen to their issues, with the Turkish bath community policing hysterics, not the viewer.