The Woman Chaser Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

The Woman Chaser Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 3, 2025

Darkness isn’t immediately apparent in 1999’s “The Woman Chaser,” but it arrives eventually in the feature, which is an adaptation of a Charles Willeford novel. It’s a slice of noir-ish cinema from co-writer/director Robinson Devor, who’s tasked with creating an odyssey into filmmaking and madness, managing a darkly comedic tone that’s accentuated by the casting of Patrick Warburton in the lead role, then fresh off his career-defining turn as David Puddy in “Seinfeld.” “The Woman Chaser” offers a strange look into the mind of a driven man, playing with masculine fantasies and Hollywood dreams, and the picture connects for the most part, finding Devor achieving a sense of style with a very limited budget. The last act isn’t quite as confident, but there’s interesting psychology on display in the offering, and odd behaviors to study.

Richard (Patrick Warburton) is ready to make a dent in 1960 Los Angeles, purchasing a used car lot in the heart of the city, hiring Bill (Ron Morgan) to handle the paperwork while bringing in salesmen to overwhelm potential customers. However, financial success isn’t enough for Richard, as he craves a more creative accomplishment, electing to try his luck in moviemaking, recruiting his stepfather, Leo (Paul Malevich), who once worked in the business before being pushed out. Richard creates a script for “The Man Who Got Away,” determined to transform his vision into cinema gold, turning to embezzlement to make sure the feature gets funded. As production begins, Richard is awakened by the process, but a lack of fulfillment haunts him, especially in his sexual conquests, unable to silence his screaming brain.

Richard is a complicated guy, and his narration during “The Woman Chaser” isn’t reliable, guiding a descent into his troubled existence, which he works hard to deny. The character imagines himself as a real go-getter, riding into Los Angeles with a plan to conquer the used car industry, using his natural authority to generate plenty of profit. Time spent on the lot is lively, watching Richard deal with employees and the business itself, sending salesman into the summer heat wearing Santa suits to capture customer attention. However, there’s more to the man than just business force, and “The Woman Chaser” looks to inspect his way of thinking, following the character as he returns home, sexually tempted by his ex- ballerina mother and stepsister, while Leo provides a chance to follow a secret desire to be creative.

Moviemaking escalates “The Woman Chaser,” following Richard as he creates “The Man Who Got Away,” which is packed with his ideas and fears, out to generate a powerful picture. The production process is the most interesting stretch of the feature, as the tale gets caught up in Richard’s enthusiasm and questionable professionalism. The tale also gets into the muck of the man’s imagined nobility and creative demands, and his sex life is returned to, including an affair with Laura (Emily Newman), his secretary, with this pairing returning to haunt the writer/director at his most vulnerable.

The Woman Chaser Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The visual presentation (1.85:1 aspect ratio) for "The Woman Chaser" is listed as a "new 2K restoration from the 35mm original camera negative, with an uncut sequence sourced from a 35mm positive." It's a wonderfully film-like viewing experience, with heavy grain throughout the viewing experience. Detail delivers compelling skin particulars and fibrous period costuming. Los Angeles locations are dimensional, exploring carefully framed parts of the city. Interiors preserve decorative additions and depth. Black and white imagery is balanced, and delineation is satisfactory. The alternative color cut of "The Woman Chaser" is presented on this release, and remains an interesting look at the movie, though its noir-ish intent is better served in B&W.

The Woman Chaser Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix provides a "theatrical stereo SR soundtrack" for the listening event. "The Woman Chaser" isn't an ambitious endeavor, sonically speaking, but clarity is retained with dialogue exchanges, handling performance choices and surges of intensity. Scoring supports with crisp instrumentation and dramatic position, leading with jazzier moods at times. Sound effects are distinct.

The Woman Chaser Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "The Art of Insanity" (87:18) is an alternate cut of "The Woman Chaser," presented in color.

• Booklet includes essays by Glenn Kenny, Chris Cabin, and Jesse Sublett.

• Commentary #1 features writer/director Robinson Devor.

• Commentary #2 features film historians Alain Silver and Christopher Coppola.

• "Deadly Serious" (19:31, HD) is an interview with actor Patrick Warburton, Who shares his audition story, learning that writer/director Robinson Devor wasn't a "Seinfeld" guy, unaware of the actor's success as David Puddy. Describing the shoot as "guerilla," the production worked long hours and with limited locations, trying to do something with a tiny budget. Casting is celebrated, and Devor is fairly assessed, labeled a "tough" but focused helmer out to make an interesting picture. Scheduling challenges are highlighted, finding Warburton desperate to make an appointment with the Blue Angels during filming. Some technical and thespian challenges are shared, but the interviewee focuses on his career achievements, analyzing his professional choices and opportunities around the time of "The Woman Chaser." Warburton also praises the style of the feature and acknowledges the professional opportunity it provided during a period of career growth.

• "Biggest Little Movie" (16:24, HD) is an interview (or extended thank you list) with executive producer Joe McSpadden, who speeds through the genesis of "The Woman Chaser," which came together quickly, shot in 1998 for a small budget. Praise is shared for author Charles Willeford, who provided the source material for the film. Technical achievements are identified, as the movie was originally shot on color film, though writer/director Robinson Devor was committed to a B&W presentation. Actor Patrick Warburton is also credited for his contributions to the offering, and the supporting cast is celebrated. The interviewee delves into the troubling content of the picture, trying to be true to the time period and the book, only to face audience rejection as multiple cuts of the movie were prepared for various film festival appearances. Production experiences are also provided, and McSpadden shares his delight with the Blu-ray release, giving "The Woman Chaser" a new life on home video.

• EPK featurette (4:58, SD) is a short overview of "The Woman Chaser," providing interviews with cast and crew.

• And a Trailer for "The Art of Insanity" (87:18) is included.

The Woman Chaser Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Devor does a capable job balancing the Hollywood adventure and Richard's psychological turmoil, soon battling everyone as he tries to protect his vision for "The Man Who Got Away," which is challenged by the reality of editing and exhibition plans. There's real spirit to the endeavor, even during its darkness, and Devor has a visual plan for the film, creating some compelling imagery along the way. Finding a way out of the story isn't quite as easy, and a few behavioral extremes suddenly arrive to complicate Richard's characterization, which fits the actual ending of the feature, but plays a little too sudden, yanking the endeavor into a dramatic direction instead of gracefully turning into one. "The Woman Chaser" has the right resolution, but an unwieldy third act, which takes something away from an otherwise confidently crafted and capably performed (whatever Warburton can do, he does it here) offering of madness in many forms.