Indecent Proposal Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "Indecent Proposal" offers a mixed bag in terms of quality and overall experience. The 1080p, 1.78:1-framed transfer showcases a heavy grain structure that dominates much of the viewing, leading to an uneven and at times, distractingly inconsistent visual aesthetic. Throughout most scenes, there's a noticeable softness and lack of sharp high-definition clarity which struggles to impress, especially in comparison with the expected details provided by Blu-ray technology. Dark scenes particularly suffer, with blacks appearing deep but flat, missing the depth and gradational nuances that add life to the visual field. While colors generally present naturally, with reds possessing a slight oversaturation, and flesh tones maintaining a neutral if sometimes reddish hue, the overall picture varies significantly between a mild improvement over DVD quality and a somewhat underwhelming high-definition display.

Details and textures rarely stand out, with both indoor and outdoor scenes lacking the fine definition and depth many have come to expect from Blu-ray releases. Interior shots, such as those in the casino and the protagonists' kitchen, are described but fail to showcase an impressive level of detail or texture clarity. This inconsistent quality extends to the color palette as well; while some outdoor scenes pop with strong hues, others, notably in dimly lit environments or those abundant in shadows, struggle with detail loss and poor delineation. Overall contrast is average, managing to maintain stability without excelling in enhancing the visual experience.

In summary, while "Indecent Proposal" on Blu-ray does achieve moments of visual improvement over its DVD predecessor, it is hindered by its heavy and inconsistent grain, lackluster detail in key scenes, and an overall flatness that detracts from the potential richness of the movie's cinematography. Bright spots such as slightly boosted primaries and adequate flesh tones do little to offset the varied shortcomings, leaving viewers with an experience that might only occasionally outshine upscaling the standard definition version.

The audio presentation of "Indecent Proposal" on Blu-ray, delivered through a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack, offers a predominantly front-heavy experience that aligns closely with the film’s original sound design intentions. The mix capitalizes on its strength in the front channels, where dialogue, a crucial element of this dialogue-driven narrative, is presented with clarity and a pleasing tonal fidelity. Ambient sounds within casino scenes, such as the buzzes, beeps, and distant chatter, are well represented across the front stage, providing a modest but effective sense of environment. However, the soundtrack shows restraint in its spatial dynamics, with rear channel utilization being sparing and mostly reserved for subtle ambient effects like rustling grass or a distant dog's bark, which barely ventures into creating a fully immersive auditory experience.

Despite its conservative approach to surround sound, the soundtrack manages to convey a satisfactory level of detail and ambiance. John Barry’s emotionally charged score is handled with a clear understanding of its importance to the film's atmosphere, exhibiting a well-balanced and spacious delivery that slightly elevates the overall auditory experience. Yet, this presentation lacks in providing a robust low-bass response or leveraging the rear channels effectively to create a more enveloping soundstage. This results in an audio experience that feels constrained and fails to fully exploit the potential of its lossless format.

In essence, while the Dolby TrueHD soundtrack ensures that dialogue and music are rendered with high resolution clarity—thereby maintaining the essential qualities needed for "Indecent Proposal"—it falls short of offering an engaging multi-dimensional soundfield. The lack of rear channel engagement and minimal low-frequency effects underscores a missed opportunity to enrich the film's immersive qualities. Nonetheless, this audio presentation remains faithful to its source material’s limits and succeeds in delivering the principal elements with fidelity and precision.

The Blu-ray release of "Indecent Proposal" offers scant extras, limited to a solitary audio commentary with Director Adrian Lyne. This feature is a subdued affair, where Lyne gives an occasionally insightful but often gap-filled overview of the film's production. He touches upon the challenges of shooting in casinos, the experience of working with an illustrious cast including Robert Redford, and his personal feelings towards certain scenes. Despite its comprehensive moments, the commentary lacks the engagement and depth one might expect, feeling like a missed opportunity to enhance the film's home release with additional behind-the-scenes content or a documentary. This singular extra falls short of captivating the audience beyond the film itself, underscoring a bare-bones approach to this edition of "Indecent Proposal."

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Director Adrian Lyne discusses the filmmaking process, including shooting locations and working with the cast.

"Indecent Proposal," directed by Adrian Lyne, delves into the tumultuous romance of high school sweethearts Diana (Demi Moore) and David (Woody Harrelson) as they navigate the murky waters of love, morality, and financial desperation. The couple's struggle intensifies when they cross paths with billionaire John Gage (Robert Redford), who offers them a way out of their financial predicament for the price of one night with Diana. This proposition sets the stage for a movie that could have explored deep psychological themes but instead skims through, resulting in an experience that lacks the depth and profundity it promises. Despite boasting impressive performances from Moore, Harrelson, and Redford, the film struggles to maintain the emotional and relational complexity initially established.

Set against the glitzy backdrop of Las Vegas, "Indecent Proposal" attempts to juxtapose the sparkle of the city with the darker facets of human desire and morality. The narrative embarks on an intriguing exploration of a couple's resolve when faced with a morally ambiguous opportunity for financial salvation. However, the journey from moral dilemma to resolution feels rushed and superficial, betraying the potential richness of its premise. Despite this, the movie is saved in parts by Lyne’s direction, which brings a degree of polish and sentimentality to the fore, particularly in the interactions between Redford and Moore. Their encounters hint at what could have been a more nuanced discourse on love and infidelity.

Ultimately, "Indecent Proposal" remains caught between its ambition to critique and explore the complexities of love, desire, and morality, and its surrender to genre conventions. While it fails to deliver a compelling psychological drama that deeply interrogates its central moral quandary, it serves as a moderately engaging melodrama, bolstered by star-studded performances and moments of genuine emotional intensity. The film mirrors the era’s fascination with high-stakes romance yet falls short of fully realizing its thematic potential, leaving audiences with a glimpse into what might have been a more impactful exploration of the price of love and financial security.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Indecent Proposal" navigates through its narrative with the same duality that characterizes the film itself: a gripping first half that slowly dissolves into a less impactful conclusion. Despite being marred by its latter half's failure to delve deeply into the complexities of its central moral quandary, the film remains a compelling watch, particularly for those drawn to Adrian Lyne's thematic exploration of erotic dilemmas as evident in his other works like "Fatal Attraction" and "Unfaithful." The performances by the A-list cast add a layer of gravitas to the film, ensuring that even as the storytelling falters, the acting prowess on display keeps viewers engaged.

On the technical front, Paramount's Blu-ray release of "Indecent Proposal" offers an adequate audio-visual experience, though it hardly pushes the envelope of what the format can achieve. The visual transfer is respectful of the source material, presenting the film without significant enhancements or detractions. The lossless audio track favors the front channels, aligning with the dialogue-driven nature of the film but missing opportunities to create a more immersive auditory landscape. The supplemental features are sparse, with only a director's commentary track provided, which might leave enthusiasts seeking a deeper dive into the film's production and thematic exploration wanting more.

In conclusion, while "Indecent Proposal" on Blu-ray serves as a decent homage to Lyne's mid-career exploration of complex relationships and moral ambivalence, it falls short of being a definitive edition. The average audio-visual presentation paired with a lackluster assembly of extras makes it a proposition more suited for fans of the film or those curious about the filmmaker’s oeuvre than for collectors seeking a robust archival quality release. Nonetheless, it stands as a worthwhile addition to a collection, albeit with moderated expectations.