Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

The Seduction Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 23, 2019

After going down the slasher route with 1979’s “Tourist Trap,” writer/director David Schmoeller pulls back on overt chills with 1982’s “The Seduction,” with the film taking its time developing menace, using stalker formula to carefully increase suspense. The helmer has the right idea but lackluster execution with the endeavor, which, despite clear tech triumphs and a few strong performances, never gets rolling as a thrill machine. It’s too static to summon fear, with Schmoeller avoiding direct momentum in an effort to gift the feature a certain level of regality it doesn’t earn.

A popular television news reporter, Jamie (Morgan Fairchild) lives a happy life with her boyfriend, Brandon (Michael Sarrazin), but her domestic and professional peace is being destroyed by Derek (Andrew Stevens), a deranged portrait photographer who’s stalking the frightened woman. As Derek increases his intimidation in the name of love, Jamie soon realizes there’s no help for her, finding the cops unable to do anything about the obsessive man, leaving her at the mercy of a monster who refuses to back down from his increasingly violent fixations.

“The Seduction” isn’t classy entertainment, with Schmoeller fully aware of the project’s exploitation needs, opening the film on Jamie as she enjoys a nude swim in her pool while Derek, who lives next door (a plot point that’s never given the full attention it deserves), takes pictures of her for later use. Fairchild’s blinding appearance is practically a supporting character in the effort, with “The Seduction” taking time throughout the endeavor to observe Jamie undressing and bathing, giving the feature some cheap thrills, which often do better than real thrills, as those seldom arrive.

Schmoeller slowly develops Derek’s detachment from reality, watching the young man lose himself in the fantasy of Jamie, offering her gifts at work and in the local mall, while continuously calling her, trying to acquire her complete concentration on his dreams of possession. A few of these encounters work, especially in public places, giving “The Seduction” room to move around and grasp Jamie’s powerlessness, unable to do anything about the aggressor. There’s commentary from Schmoeller on the state of stalking laws, with cop Max (Vince Edwards) urging Jamie and Brandon to buy a gun and take care of the problem on their own, but this is not a procedural picture. It’s a thriller, and while the premise offers potential for skin-crawling scenes of sweaty voyeurism and panic, “The Seduction” rarely reaches a fever pitch, in dire need of a tighter edit to pinpoint Jamie’s anxiety and Derek’s frenzy.

The Seduction Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "The Seduction" brings out an aged and softer view of the feature's cast, with Fairchild's golden appearance preserved during the viewing experience. Facial surfaces are favored by the cinematography, which doesn't turn down a chance for an extreme close-up, and costuming is reasonably textured, with lots of silky outfits on the lead actress. Housing and office interiors preserve decoration. Colors maintain vibrancy, showcasing lively period attire and personal style. Cooler pool blues are appealing, along with Fairchild's pronounced glamour. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is thicker but film-like. Source is in good condition, with some mild speckling.

The Seduction Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix gets off to a strong start with an opening Dionne Warwick song, which offers clarity and sharp instrumentation. Scoring is also defined to satisfaction, offering a warm orchestral presence. Dialogue exchanges come through without many issues, hitting a few murkier passages here and there. Emotionality remains easy to track. Atmospherics aren't charged up here, but newsroom bustle and pool area presence are noted.

The Seduction Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features producers Irwin Yablans and Bruce Cohn Curtis, and writer/director David Schmoeller.

• "Beauty and Strength" (22:16, HD) discusses the life and times of Morgan Fairchild, with the actress exploring her career arc, including her first job in the movies, working as a stunt double for Faye Dunaway on "Bonnie and Clyde." Achieving some success as a model, Fairchild turned to theater for thespian training, eventually acquiring work in soap operas, finding success with "Flamingo Road." Responding to the themes and twists of script, Fairchild accepted the lead role in "The Seduction," diving into character research and dealing carefully with the film's nudity requirements. The interviewee fondly recalls time spent with Schmoeller and her co-stars, making a special connection to Michael Sarrazin, with the pair forced to spend a freezing day in an overly chlorinated hot tub together. Fairchild also offers some BTS commentary on a few scenes, recalls her desire to be more involved with stunt work, covers career achievements, and discusses her reunions with co-star Andrew Stevens.

• "The Seducer" (11:10, HD) sits down with Andrew Stevens, who shares his extreme reluctance to take the villainous part in "The Seduction," refusing producer Bruce Cohn Curtis multiple times before special needs and billing were met. Trying to make sense of the role, Stevens embraced his first time playing a bad guy, creating his own psychology for the performance, and he speaks kindly of his co-stars, becoming greatly impressed with Fairchild's professionalism. Crew highlights are also covered. Steven speaks cautiously when the subject of bad reviews comes up, electing to turn attention to the feature's box office returns as his measure of quality.

• "Flashbacks" (22:20, HD) spends time with Bruce Cohn Curtis, who details his working relationship with producer Irwin Yablans, with the pair guiding "Hell Night" through production, trying their luck again with "The Seduction." Curtis offers some amusing anecdotes, including developing the material with John Carpenter, who was kicked off the project when Schmoeller decided he wanted to make the picture (Carpenter went on to helm "Halloween"), and the casting of Fairchild actually helped with financing issues. The actors are assessed, along with the crew, with Curtis maintaining a relationship with many his collaborators. Scoring contributions from Lalo Schifrin are discussed, as is Curtis's eventual break-up with Yablans during the development of "Prison." More amusing are memories of Curtis's numerous run-ins with Frank Darabont, who was a P.A. on "The Seduction."

• "Remembering 'The Seduction'" (10:47, SD) is an undated discussion of the feature with Schmoeller, Curtis, Yablans, actors Kevin Brophy and Colleen Camp, and associate producer Tom Curtis. It's a semi-rambling conversation, jumping around anecdotes and BTS offerings, but a celebration of "The Seduction" is the focal point, with the gathered cast and crew happy to share their pride in the work.

• "Remembering the Locations and Production" (11:11, SD) returns to Curtis, who's joined by location manager Charles Newirth in this undated chat. The pair discuss finding homes for "The Seduction," trying to achieve character through architecture. Various locations are recalled, and Newirth's career evolution is spotlighted, with the young professional going on to a major career in Hollywood, including recent executive producer credits on "Iron Man 3," "Doctor Strange," and "Ant-Man and the Wasp."

• "Remembering 'The Seduction' and the Law" (7:52, SD) is the final undated featurette with Curtis, who reunites with Schmoeller to discuss the legal aspects of the movie with help from Det. Martha Defoe, from the Threat Management Unit of the L.A.P.D. The director shares his script inspiration, taking bits and pieces from real-world stalking cases, while Defoe details different types of stalkers. Talk of the Rebecca Schaeffer case is offered, along with some crude back-patting as Curtis tries to sell "The Seduction" as a prescient film.

• Still Gallery (1:53) includes VHS box art, poster art, the cover from a paperback tie-in, lobby cards, publicity shots, and a newspaper ad.

• T.V. Spot (:31, SD) provides a commercial for "The Seduction."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:55, SD) is included.

The Seduction Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Seduction" is supported by a passable turn from Fairchild, who comes alive when Jamie starts to shed her victim mentality, becoming the mean machine Schmoeller needs to energize the final act. Stevens is committed as well, generating a plausible threat. It's a shame the material isn't as lively as the actors, and while "The Seduction" eventually finds its way to shotgun-blasting exaggeration, it takes a very long time to get there, keeping nails unbitten as the terror of a stalker on the loose is reduced to just a handful of effective scenes of distress.