Strangers Kiss Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

Strangers Kiss Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 3, 2024

Co-writers Blake Novak and Matthew Chapman (who also directs) take an odd journey into the ways of moviemaking with “Strangers Kiss.” The screenplay takes a fictional look at the making of “Killer’s Kiss,” which was the second feature from director Stanley Kubrick, using a pressurized situation to inspire a study of temptation and jealousy, also adding in an overall appreciation of technical effort. Chapman and Novak hunt for heat and tension with the endeavor, but they never quite reach a level of intimacy with this study of obsession. It’s the rest of “Strangers Kiss” that’s definitely more involving, watching a Kubrick-ian helmer command the actors and oversee the daily grind of creating shots and managing personalities.

Stanley (Peter Coyote) is a director ready to make a movie, joined by his producer, Farris (Dan Shor). They have a tale of a boxer and the woman he loves, finding raw talent with leading man Stevie (Blake Novak), who’s ready for the challenge. Carol (Victoria Tennant) is also brought into the mix, with her boyfriend, Frank (Richard Romanus), a powerful businessman financing the project. As production begins, Stanley is determined to secure his vision for the drama, while Stevie develops a fixation on Carol, doing whatever he can to capture her attention. Such emotional connection greatly upsets Frank, who’s trying to understand what’s going on during the shoot, while Stanley and Farris work to complete their project.

“Strangers Kiss” doesn’t have a large budget, but it has a visual personality, with Chapman making use of Culver Studios, which provides an interesting location for a story about filmmaking. There are many areas to explore as Stanley finds his actors, financing, and begins production on his tortured boxer tale, doing whatever he can to acquire his shots with a small number of crew members and a catering employee, Shirley (Linda Kerridge), who gets involved in the drama along the way.

“Strangers Kiss” is simple in design, following Stevie as he attempts to seduce Carol, starting with professional camaraderie before graduating to a more direct push for her heart. Novak isn’t the strongest actor, sharing little chemistry with Tennant, but the arc is understood, watching the character play with fire, putting Frank into panic mode as he gradually realizes what’s going on. Chapman doesn’t have much thespian fury, but he has scoring efforts from Gato Barbieri, who offers hot sax throughout the picture, conjuring a sensual mood for a feature that has some difficulty finding emotional power.

Strangers Kiss Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as "restored in 4K from its original 35mm internegative." The viewing experience retains some softness, but detail remains, examining skin particulars on the cast and the textures of their period costumes. Theres a studio space to tour in "Strangers Kiss," and dimension remains, showing off the expanse of certain areas and an overview of moviemaking. Exteriors also retain depth. Colors are alert, doing especially well with clothing, which offer a few bold primaries and crisp whites. Studio decoration also offers brighter hues, while more dramatic moods supply a cooler appearance. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is heavy and film-like. Source is in good condition, with mild scratches and frame damage.

Strangers Kiss Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers a satisfactory sense of dialogue exchanges as performances go from hushed confessions to barked directorial orders. Some sibilance issues are present. Scoring favors a blazing saxophone sound, and instrumentation is sharp. Soundstage atmospherics are also appreciable.

Strangers Kiss Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (14 pages) offers an essay by Peter Tonguette.

• Commentary features movie critic Walter Chaw.

• "Distributor to Producer" (32:33, HD) is an interview with Douglas Dilg, who developed his business education in the world of distribution, building his career while working to release "1900." Dilg was also involved in the troubled production of "They All Laughed," sharing details about his dealings with director Peter Bogdanovich. The genesis of "Strangers Kiss" is recalled, with co-writer Blaine Novak meeting with director Matthew Chapman, who was dating actress Victoria Tennant at the time. The project came together quickly, primarily due to its low budget, with deferred payments helping financial needs. Technical achievements are celebrated, including the strange ways of cinematographer Misha Suslov. Distribution woes are highlighted, and pride is shared in the final product.

• "An Enemy of Cliché" (24:28, HD) is a video conference interview with co-writer Blaine Novak, who joined producer Douglas Dilg in a distribution company, finding themselves dealing with big names in the business, including time with Peter Bogdanovich on "They All Laughed," with the interviewee giving up a writing credit on the project. Dealing with a controversial production, Novak retreated into drug abuse, detailing his days of stasis, eventually handed direction by the making of "Strangers Kiss." Describing the picture as a "little bit of Bogdanovich, but a lot of Kubrick," Novak shares production tales and filmmaking ambition on a $150,000 budget, but also strange relationships, as he married Linda Kerridge to facilitate her affair with director Bernardo Bertolucci. Acting efforts are also analyzed, with Novak trying to handle himself with his co- stars.

• "It Felt Magical" (23:58, HD) is an interview with actress Victoria Tennant, who recalls her initial meeting with producer Douglas Dilg and writer Blaine Novak, charmed by the pair and charged up by their enthusiasm, embarking on the creative journey of "Strangers Kiss." Casting is celebrated, characterization is explored, and memories are shared from Culver City Studios. The interviewee also identifies her own health struggles during the shoot, requiring careful makeup and lighting. Filmmaking connections supported the making of "Strangers Kiss," including aid from Jack Nicholson. Tennant also shares tales concerning the submission of the film to Stanley Kubrick for approval, and her meeting with "Killer's Kiss" actress Chris Chase.

• "Comradeship and Love" (24:36, HD) is an interview with co-writer/director Matthew Chapman, who tracks his career leading up to the making of "Strangers Kiss," getting pulled into the production by producer Douglas Dilg and co-writer Blaine Novak. Creating a "love letter to independent filmmaking," Chapman details the budget structure of "Strangers Kiss," playing a different game with money and favors to complete the feature. Technical achievements are explored, paying specific attention to cinematographer Misha Suslov and the use of Culver City Studios, offered control of stages and sets. The interviewee supplies memories of the shoot, interacting with Jack Nicholson, who hung around the set, but couldn't be talked into acting in the picture.

• "Stanley's Film" (9:40, HD) is a video essay by Chris O'Neill.

• Image Gallery (2:23) collects publicity shots, film stills, BTS snaps, correspondence, and poster art.

• And a Trailer (2:37, HD) is included.

Strangers Kiss Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Strangers Kiss" feels a little undercooked at times, but scenes with Stanley and Farris dealing with the process of moviemaking brings the endeavor to full attention. Coyote is especially commanding as the director, watching him fight for his vision and organize his actors down to the littlest of details. There's Kubrick in there, but also a dramatic addition to the feature, with Stanley conscious of what's going on, thrilled to capture passion between actors but aware of the dangers such a coupling poses to financial support. "Strangers Kiss" comes alive with filmmaking sequences, which deliver more interesting elements of pressure and professional relationships, locating real clashes of tempers while the rest of the picture struggles with tension.