Tweet
Released by: Twilight Time Releasing
Released on: June 14th, 2016.
Director: John Byrum
Cast: Jessica Harper, Bob Hoskins, Richard Dreyfuss, Veronica Cartwright, Stephen Davies
Year: 1975
Purchase From Screen Archives
The Movie:
Directed by John Byrum in 1975 and originally rated X upon its initial theatrical release, Inserts is set in the early thirties. The film stars Richard Dreyfuss as The Boy Wonder! Once a top notch Hollywood director during the boom years of the silent film, things have taken a definite downward spiral for the former power player. Having fallen prey to booze and poor decision making, he might blame the onset of the talkies for his career downfall, but we all know better.
To make ends meet these days, he basically lives as an alcoholic shut-in, shooting stag films in his run down abode. Early in the film we meet his latest leading lady, a woman named Harlene (Veronica Cartwright) who, like himself, was once a big deal in the silent movie scene. She too has lost the career she once had and now struts her stuff for his leering camera. She's also got a drug problem. He casts another man named Rex The Wonder Dog (Stephen Davies in his feature film debut), so named for his particular style of screwing, opposite Harlene and, well, she shoots them doing their thing in the ramshackle set he's made out of his bedroom. The shoot goes well enough until Big Mac (Bob Hoskins) shows up. He's the man who finances Boy Wonder's grubby little cinematic endeavors and when, through a series of mishaps, his girlfriend, Cathy Cake (Jessica Harper, also in her feature film debut) might just have to pick up where Harlene left off with Rex.
Inserts is minimalist (there are only five actors and really just one set) and stagey (you definitely get the impression that you're watching a play at times) but so genuinely well-made and engaging that you won't mind. Yes, the film deals with the still somewhat taboo subject of dirty movies, but despite the X-rating (eventually softened to the NC-17 that it still carries to this day) the film doesn't ever feel explicit or in bad taste. Maybe it's the references to the old Hollywood studios where some of the players come from, maybe it's the A-list cast, maybe it's the fact that at its core it is a simple love story or maybe it's the fact that there's a lot of very human drama playing out alongside the twisted comedy but Inserts has a very definite air of respectability to it despite the fact that it deals in sex films and substance abuse!
Byrum's direction is simple but effective. There aren't a lot of flashy set ups, the cinematography is basic and never particularly complex. The score is underplayed and never extravagant and the sets rudimentary - but this really just serves to let the film focus on the characters and the performances. Dreyfuss has never been better than he is here - as The Boy Wonder he is manic, tragic, pathetic, hilarious, filthy and in his own strange way, even inspiring. There's a lot more to the part than just playing an aging filmmaker trying to make ends meet. He has moments of genius, and this appeals to Cathy, played perfectly by Jessica Harper. Even this early in her career we she's got that 'something' about her - the camera loves her, and so too does the audience. Veronica Cartwright is also fantastic here, and strung out or not she looks great all done up in period attire. Bob Hoskins and Stephen Davies also deliver excellent work - really, there's not a single slip from anyone in front of the camera. The film is a little longer than it needs to be and the tonal shifts are bound to through off a certain segment of any audience, but if you can appreciate a very unorthodox love story, beautifully flawed but interesting characters and just really solid acting on any level, this is absolutely worth seeing (and presented, on this Blu-ray release from Twilight Time, in its completely uncut form).
Video/Audio/Extras:
Inserts is presented on Blu-ray in 1.85.1 widescreen in an AVC encoded 1080p high definition transfer and generally speaking it looks very nice on a 50GB disc. There are a few small scuffs and scratches evident here and there but overall the picture is very clean. The increase in detail is frequently very impressive when compared to the previous DVD release from MGM that came out years back. Texture and depth are strong throughout as well. Black levels are solid while shadow detail is quite good as well. There is no evidence of any noise reduction or edge enhancement nor are there any compression artifacts.
The only audio option for the feature is a DTS-HD 2.0 Mono track, in the film's native English. No alternate language options are provided although English subtitles have been included. Again, we get a nice upgrade when compared to the DVD. The minimalist score has more depth and clarity to it while balance is spot on. That means that there aren't any problems understanding the dialogue when the music or effects kick in and you can better hear some of the more subtle sound effects that appear in some of the movie's quieter scenes. Hiss and distortion are non-issues. A very fine mix overall, one that would seem to be an accurate representation of the original elements.
Extras are slim, limited to a trailer for the feature, an MGM 90th Anniversary promo trailer, the film's isolated score and effects track in DTS-HD 2.0 format, menus and chapter selection. The disc does come packaged with an insert booklet containing liner notes from Julie Kirgo that offer some welcome background information and critical analysis of the film.
The Final Word:
Inserts is a very well made mix of dark comedy and human drama that uses some unexpected twists and turns to keep the film interesting and engaging. The performances are very strong and the technical merits of both the Blu-ray disc and the feature itself quite commendable. This is light on extras but it looks and sounds great. Don't let this one fly under your radar - this is really well done!
Click on the images below for full sized Blu-ray screen caps!
