Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

The Double Exposure of Holly Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 12, 2023

1976’s “The Double Exposure of Holly” is an odd offering of adult entertainment. It’s not the usual collection of heated encounters, but something of a revenge story featuring an assortment of confused people attempting to make sense out of overwhelming feelings and misplaced passions. There’s some narrative momentum to the endeavor during the first act, but director Bob Gill slowly graduates to more experimental-style filmmaking, inserting some abstract adventures and bizarre relationships into what initially appears to be a straightforward study of blackmail.

Lee (Ronan O’Casey) is a lawyer who’s been dumped by his lover, Holly (Catharine Burgess), watching as she attempts to return to the easy lifestyle provided by Mark (Don Peterson), her second lover. Lee is furious with the break-up, hiring crook Nic (Bob Maroff) to mastermind a revenge plan, eventually settling on a blackmail scheme inside a local hotel. Nic’s goons, Archie (Jamie Gillis) and Kim (Terri Hall), are tasked with setting up a video camera in Mark’s hotel room, capturing bedroom activity with Holly, creating a tape to be sent to her older husband. However, not everything goes as planned for the gang, who deal with mistaken identity and drug addiction, complicating the scheme.

Lee is introduced at a bar, dealing with Holly and her plans to leave him, which inspires even more drinking for the man, who shares his tale of revenge with others at his favorite watering hole. Lee is petty, but he wants results, turning to Archie to take care of surveillance details inside a hotel room, which is prepped to capture any and all action occurring within frame. “The Double Exposure of Holly” is largely focused on this mission, with Nic and Kim in charge of monitoring the area, preparing for Mark’s arrival. The plan to nail Holly with a film of her tryst with Mark appears to be the plot of the feature, but Gill has something more in mind for the picture, which turns its attention to a few subplots and encounters to help fill a short run time.

There’s the lighter side of “The Double Exposure of Holly,” which finds Archie working on technical details inside the room, mistaken for Mark by two prostitutes Nic’s hired to kickstart the fun. And there’s the gloomier side to the picture, which explores Kim’s desire to score cocaine from Angel (Bobby Astyr), feeding her addiction and medicating herself from the horrors of her life. Angel is also subjected to street violence, representing one of the more bizarre asides in the film. And there’s Holly, who’s a spectacularly unpleasant person working all the angles to her benefit, with the production basically siding with Lee, who really wants to make his former lover suffer for her dismissal of his manhood. It’s just strange enough to hold attention.

The Double Exposure of Holly Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.37:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers a 2K scan of the original 35mm negative. The results offer a clear look into the frame particulars, especially with various bodies on display, securing skin textures and fine hairs. Costuming remains fibrous with period fashion. Decorative additions and tech displays are also defined. Color is alert, exploring bright primaries with hotel layouts and clothing choices. Skin tones are exact. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

The Double Exposure of Holly Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix preserves dialogue exchanges, which remain clear throughout the listening event, detailing different performance choices. Scoring supports as expected, with acceptable definition and mood support.

The Double Exposure of Holly Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Alternate Soft Scenes (17:07, HD) are offered.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (5:02, HD) is included.

The Double Exposure of Holly Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Double Exposure of Holly" isn't committed to an overall plot, paying only occasional attention to the blackmail scheme. It creates more of a random viewing experience, but one with periodic directorial inspiration and an intriguing dark side, which is a rare event in adult entertainment. Sexuality isn't especially active, but Gill maintains some bedroom encounters, fulfilling audience expectations while also giving them a peculiar understanding of corrupt characters.