Streetwalkin' Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

Streetwalkin' Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 24, 2020

All actors have to start somewhere, and before Melissa Leo grew into an in-demand performer, nominated for an Academy Award in 2009 and collecting Oscar gold in 2011 for her work in “The Fighter,” she was eager to make her screen debut. Like many before her, Leo found her way to the Roger Corman factory, handed the starring role in 1985’s “Streetwalkin’,” which has her playing a teenage prostitute caught between the demands of life and the protection of her little brother as her raging pimp seeks revenge. As first movies go, it’s not the classiest endeavor, playing into the trends of the day as certain audiences craved tales of bruised innocence and streetwise antagonisms. “Streetwalkin’” isn’t a refined dramatic event, it’s exploitation, with Leo doing what she can to provide some personality and emotional urgency in the midst of cliché, giving the grungy endeavor bits of life.

Fresh out of an abusive home with little brother, Tim (Randall Batinkoff, in his film debut), Cookie (Melissa Leo) is a frightened teen girl with nowhere to go. Offering her a new life is pimp Duke (Dale Midkiff, also making his debut), a vicious man whom Cookie attaches herself to, taking to the streets as instructed, turning tricks for money. When Duke’s wrath kills a fellow prostitute, Cookie is ready to escape, hoping to land a new urban agent in Jason (Leon), leaving the rabid, discarded pimp in a hurry to find his former employee and kill her to set an example for the grim street community of crooks, junkies, johns, and hookers.

“Streetwalkin’” has all the stretchmarks of an exploitation endeavor, establishing a harsh urban world for a dewy high school dropout unaware of the cruelties of life, facing an abusive pimp who initially works to charm his latest catch, and a sticky sexual underworld of kinks and kooks. Though it tangles with unsavory (and, admittedly, entertaining) elements of concrete jungle life, director/co-writer Joan Freeman (“Satisfaction”) is more interested in the frayed ends of survival, losing the compelling folds of perversion to manufacture a straightforward tale of escape, though it’s interesting to see Cookie forever trapped in a cycle of horrible mistreatment, hoping to ditch one pimp for another.

With a handful of police officers credited as advisors, “Streetwalkin’” investigates the prostitute experience, observing Cookie as she prowls the filthy avenues, populated with addicts (Greg Germann) and porn theaters, hoping to squirrel away enough money to stand on her own two feet, desperate to keep Tim on the right track of behavior. Freeman keeps the proceedings gritty, but her scope is limited by traditional Corman frugality, permitting few outdoor encounters, while padding the film with extended appearances from supporting characters (Antonio Fargas shows up as a rival pimp, Julie Newmar plays a fellow street walker), prostitute vignettes, and overlong scenes of Duke feverishly pounding on people and trashing rooms.

There’s actually very little plot here to sustain 80 minutes of screentime, with much of “Streetwalkin’” feeling slack and disinterested, despite a few ambitious moments of psychological study that reveal unrealized depth to the material. Freeman seems to be fighting to make a statement, while the Corman DNA of the feature assumes command, enjoying the opportunity to play to a wider audience by displaying sadistic behavior and rough encounters.

Streetwalkin' Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) does not utilize a fresh scan of the feature, which means a softer look at "Streetwalkin'," which isn't a polished movie to begin with. Detail isn't strong, offering only mild textures on facial surfaces and period costuming. City tours are passably dimensional, and housing interiors retain some sense of decoration. Color is a bit muted but not removed, doing well with flashier hues on street signage and prostitute gear, which offers bold reds and blues. Leo's hair is a highlight. Club interiors contribute bolder disco lighting. Cooler urban events are also appreciable. Skintones are natural. Delineation is acceptable. Grain is heavy, slightly chunky. Source is in satisfactory condition, with some periodic judder, speckling, and a few jumpy frames.

Streetwalkin' Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There's wasn't much attention paid to the aural potential of "Streetwalkin'" when it was being made, leaving the 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix tinny, without much in the way of power. Soundtrack selections offer a bit more power, and scoring offers synth support with decent instrumentation. Dialogue exchanges reach about as far as they can go, with occasional fuzzy highs. Intelligibility is never threatened, but there's little distinction with performances. Atmospherics are pronounced, with the acting often competing with street life. Source has some points of damage, periodically encountering loud pops.

Streetwalkin' Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features co-writer/director Joan Freeman and producer Robert Alden, and it's a rather informative exploration of the filmmaking process, with the duo sharing investigative efforts where they interviewed cops and prostitutes, hoping to infuse as much realism into the picture as possible. The twosome does a fine job communicating the challenges of a Corman production, struggling with night shoots and the demands of nudity, also delving into the casting triumphs and thespian preparation. It's an interesting listen, providing needed explanation for such an obscure picture.

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:06, HD) is included.

Streetwalkin' Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The star of the show is Leo, and she's decent as the corrupted innocent. With multiple nude scenes and opportunities to cry on camera, the performance delivers as intended, though she never gets a true moment to shine. Admittedly, it's difficult to compete with the details of urban decay, yet the actress cuts a striking figure of tainted virtue, swatting away the monotony of "Streewalkin'" for a few brief moments. Fans of the powerhouse actress should have a blast discovering this forgotten picture, though I'm guessing Leo probably wishes it would've stayed that way.