Summer Lovers Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

Summer Lovers Blu-ray Movie Review

1982’s “Summer Lovers” is an important offering in the career of director Randal Kleiser, who, up to this point, was a major force in Hollywood. Kleiser was able to acquire the attention of a younger audience, making a box office blockbuster in 1978’s “Grease,” and surprising many with the staying power of 1980’s “The Blue Lagoon.” He was positioned for another smash with “Summer Lovers,” which uses the formula of young people in lust and love and ages it up some, with Kleiser trying to inch his way into adult-oriented complications. His answer to the relative innocence of “The Blue Lagoon” is to spend time on the nude beaches of the Greek islands, capturing the sexual heat and emotional complications of a love triangle in the middle of paradise. Kleiser can’t get past the slightness of the material, which never has enough texture to completely realize such psychological gamesmanship and eventual softening of personal defenses. But the helmer does maintain command over the location, constructing an evocative understanding of bodily freedoms and lustful sway, which is almost enough to secure an inviting viewing experience.

Summer Lovers Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Summer Lovers" was initially released on Blu-ray in 2015, with Twilight Time bringing the 1982 feature to HD in a sold-out run. Kino Lorber has elected to bring the movie back to disc, and they offer what appears to be the same scan as the previous release. The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation does a fine job with the effort's exquisite locations, picking up on the summery colors of the Greek islands, which are often inhabited by bronzed bodies. Displays of skin retain their golden appearance, and oceanic wonders remain blue. Location visits also preserve decorative hues, with creamy whites and disco reds. Detail delivers on the showcase of bared flesh, capturing fine hair and imperfections. Costuming (what little there is of it) is fibrous, exploring swimwear and casual attire. Vistas are preserved, offering dimension. Delineation is adequate. Source is in fine shape, without major areas of damage.

Summer Lovers Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix generally leads with soundtrack selections, finding pop hits coming through with precision, hitting electro beats and synth waves. Occasionally, such excitable tunes slightly overwhelm performances, losing a line or two along the way. When not crowded out by songs, the dialogue exchanges are adequate, offering quieter performances to help set the seductive mood. Atmospherics are appealing, with aquatic movement supporting beach scenes, while nightlife and local color share community movement.

Summer Lovers Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features writer/director Randal Kleiser.

• Making Of (12:14, SD) provides a compelling overview of the "Summer Lovers" production experience, though it's hard to tell what audience this EPK-style featurette was intended for, as it displays extensive nudity and includes some mild language. Perhaps pay cable was its ultimate destination. Interviews with cast and crew help to showcase technical achievements around tight island locations, with donkeys employed to carry equipment around. Kleiser discusses themes and characters, while local customs and nightlife are highlighted. Also included are brief conversations with real visitors, showcasing how varied tourism is in Greece.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:08, HD) is included.

Summer Lovers Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Summer Lovers" deals with commitment and cohabitation issues, working to explore the confusion of perceived limitations and the head rush of experimentation. He doesn't have the sharpest cast with Peter Gallagher, Daryl Hannah, and Valerie Quennessen (easily the most compelling of the trio), but Kleiser has a vision for dreamy locations filled with naked bodies, playing up the wonders of innocent fun while slowly drilling to the core of seemingly forbidden desires. There's a sharp soundtrack of pop and new wave songs (from The Pointer Sisters, Chicago, Depeche Mode, and Prince) to help secure the period mood, and the feature is better off as well-lit nonsense with gorgeous people slipping in and out of infatuation while touring Greek sites of history and delighting in seasonal splendor. Anything more intellectually or emotionally advanced tends to register awkwardly from the cast, while Kleiser doesn't really have a game plan for the central relationship, eventually choosing a sustained fantasy when all evidence points to a disaster zone with characters who can barely take care of themselves.