Demi Moore (Ghost) and Woody Harrelson (The People vs. Larry Flynt) are Diana and David Murphy, a financially strapped couple who are betting on a quick trip to Las Vegas to deal them a lucky hand. But the odds are suddenly even more attractive when billionaire John Gage (Robert Redford, Three Days of the Condor) ups the ante—complete financial freedom. The price? One night of passion with Diana. The payoff? A cool $1 million. But what seems to be a quick and simple solution to their money problems creates more friction than the couple bargained for as the high stakes of trust, love and attraction come into play as part of Gage’s compelling proposal. From Adrian Lyne, the acclaimed director of Flashdance, 9½ Weeks, Fatal Attraction, Jacob’s Ladder and Unfaithful, comes a film that examines a riveting morality game—one in which each player has a strategy, as well as a set of rules to play by. Featuring Seymour Cassel (Rushmore), Oliver Platt (The Ice Harvest), Billy Bob Thornton (A Simple Plan), Rip Taylor (Wayne’s World 2) and Billy Connelly (The Boondock Saints).
For thoughts on Indecent Proposal, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:
Video Quality
Indecent Proposal debuts on 4K UHD Blu-Ray courtesy of Kino Classics with a very striking 2160p/Dolby Vision transfer that has been remastered by Paramount Pictures and approved by Director Adrian Lyne. This release does come with a Blu-Ray disc which is derived from the same 4K master, and I have the older Blu-Ray release Paramount released over a decade ago, all of which makes it easier to directly compare and see that there are some notable improvements. The improvements from the ancient Paramount Blu-Ray are stark and numerous, as that disc was released early in the format’s infancy and had more than a few kinks in it. Yet, even the newer Blu-Ray included by Kino with this release is improved upon once we jump to the 4K UHD presentation. Although, even if you are not 4K capable, it might be worth getting this release just for the remastered Blu-Ray which looks very healthy.
With the 4K UHD release, the transfer remains very crisp throughout with little in the way of softness or fluctuation. White levels are brighter with more stability which avoids instances of blooming. Black levels are quite deep and allow the picture to maintain a tremendous amount of depth and detail in darker environments. The dominance over contrast and overall clarity is readily apparent, especially in unique details within the production design and the clothing. The lovely natural film grain remains intact while always resolving naturally free of clumping and swarming. This allows for a lot of nuanced texture and detail to the transfer which gives new life to the feature. Skin tones look quite precise and the clarity of the transfer gives you a deep amount of facial detail. The Dolby Vision provides very natural, deep colors throughout including the striking hues of certain pieces of clothing and lighting choice. Kino Classics has delivered for fans of classic erotic thrillers.
Audio Quality
The 4K UHD Blu-Ray presents the movie with a DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 Master Audio lossless track that sounds quite good. While we often want labels to provide a new Dolby Atmos surround track in addition to the original audio, this track is no slouch while maintaining its artistic integrity. The music is key to establishing a unique atmosphere within this narrative, and it radiates out with pleasing fidelity. Dialogue comes through clearly even during the most bustling moments at the casino or otherwise. The track balances the many layers of sound so nothing gets too buried in the mix. The surround channels provide some great texture to the world, but the meat of the material is focused on the center channel. Directionality of the sound is distinct throughout with no erroneous placement. The low end is not going to bring your house down, but it adds some texture to a few moments. This audio presentation is a satisfying experience for fans. There are optional English subtitles provided.
Special Features
- Audio Commentary: Director Adrian Lyne delivers a monotone, yet very informative commentary track in which he recalls various aspects of the production including the development of different scenes, the casting and the value of a preexisting share history between the lead couple, the importance of humor in sex scenes, the themes of the film, moments he feels are relatable or natural, his feelings on narration and more.
- Trailers: There is a two-minute trailer provided for Indecent Proposal. There are also trailers provided for Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here, Legal Eagles, Havana, The Scarlet Letter, Play It To The Bone and Foxes.
Final Thoughts
Indecent Proposal is not the easiest movie to like, as most of the characters have one thing or another that make it difficult to relate to. While you do not have to make a movie full of lovable characters, it is helpful to have someone worth rooting for included. There is also the matter of the plot, which stretches credulity while admittedly offering up some intriguing thrills. Adrian Lyne is a director who has made a career of films with problematic elements when reflecting back with a modern lens, and this is no exception. This is a flawed work with enough entertaining moments to keep you invested. Kino Classics has given this one a 4K UHD Blu-Ray upgrade with a terrific A/V presentation and a legacy commentary track. If you are a fan of the film and have yet to pick it up, this is the strongest presentation yet. Recommended
Indecent Proposal is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Kino Classics has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.