Tropic of Desire Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

Tropic of Desire Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 28, 2018

Leave to Bob Chinn to try and have a good time with an adult movie. 1979’s “Tropic of Desire” isn’t interested in summoning the darkness to support bedroom antics, and while tragedy resides in the story, the picture is largely a traditional erotic adventure, this time taking sexual antics to Hawaii in 1945, when the end of World War II was beginning to take shape. Screenwriter Jeffrey Fairbanks brings the war to a small brothel where business is booming and life changes are sudden, doing away with a grand dramatic arc to play with characters and situations, attentive to the needs of sensuality without dipping the whole thing in doom.

While World War II rages on, the employees at a Hawaiian brothel are getting by, enjoying waves of sailors who make the destination their first priority. For Rita (Kitty Shayne), losing her boyfriend in combat ruins her plans for the future, quitting the business to restart her life in California. While owner Frances (Georgina Spelvin) is aware of Rita’s popularity with the men, she’s shocked to find so many customers asking for her after she’s left, forcing the rest of the working girls to double their efforts to impress, while new hire June (Dorothy LeMay) receives a test of skill when she’s put to work right away.

The most plot “Tropic of Desire” takes on is the tale of Rita, a bright star of the brothel who receives word that her boyfriend has been killed in action, forcing her to rethink everything she was planning for the post-war world. Her goodbyes take up considerable screentime in “Tropic of Desire,” but once Rita exits, the material settles into a study of the evening’s activities, with a new ship docking nearby, home to hungry sailors in the mood for female companionship, with a few eager to reunite with Rita, bitterly disappointed that she’s quit the life. To be fair, that’s all the dramatic work Chinn needs to juggle, as most of the picture is dedicated to couplings, including an interesting foursome sequence that has participants settling down to watch an 8mm loop, which Chinn returns to repeatedly, adding silver screen action to the roster of sex scenes.

Tropic of Desire Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Easily the most colorful feature in the "5 Film 5 Years" set is "Tropic of Desire," with the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation managing a period setting, delivering deep reds with brothel decoration and costuming, while crisp whites for military uniforms help to sell character service. Hawaii doesn't come alive in the picture, but sets and outfits are vivid. Delineation is communicative, dealing well with limited lighting. Detail comes through clearly, surveying bodily particulars and set decoration, while clothing retains sheerness. Source remains approachable, with pockets of damage, including mild scratches, reel changes, and speckling. Intermittent red flashing on the right side of the frame is also detected.

Tropic of Desire Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix shows some signs of age, with mild hiss and periodic popping encountered during the listening event. Dialogue exchanges are acceptable, delivering a clear read of performances, with some more animated than others. Military bravado is enjoyably defined, keeping threats distinct. Scoring and soundtrack offerings maintain a solid supportive presence. Atmospherics are minor, but changes in setting are sold. More active sound effects aren't subtle, but they define violence comfortably.

Tropic of Desire Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on this disc.

Tropic of Desire Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Tropic of Desire" doesn't reach beyond its grasp, sticking with bedroom adventures between prostitutes and their clients, getting to understand some character quirks and anxieties, while June is brought into the fold, becoming a plaything for Frances and one of the sailors. "Tropic of Desire" does end big, with Chinn staging a brawl inside the building, adding some fist-first punctuation to the film, with bodies thrown all over the place. Perhaps it's a bit much for what's actually a very sedate endeavor, but a last-minute addition of cartoonish violence sends the feature off on the right note of ridiculousness, keeping the endeavor charmingly unpretentious.