Lickerish Quartet [Blu-ray]

"The Lickerish Quartet" is what I always thought pornography should be, but never is. There is enough sex in the movie, but it's all very real-seeming, without being vulgar (no close-up entry shots, etc.) The settings are evocative and stylish, the story line is OK, and the individual scenes (even besides the sex) are extremely interesting and intriguing. Expect some subtle eroticism, and a lot of not-so-subtle.

This new Blu-ray of Radley Metzger's THE LICKERISH QUARTET isn't bad, but there are some source-related issues. Specks and lines are not uncommon. It looks like you're watching a film print of an old movie that's been around the block a few times. That said, it's certainly watchable, and you can tell it's high def. Maybe it would even take away from the "grindhouse" feel of the film if it looked too clean. Just be sure to temper your expectations.

The interesting thing about THE LICKERISH QUARTET is that while it is a softcore film, it's more ambitious than a lot of regular films. The sex scenes may be longer than necessary, but they always serve the story. Many scenes are surreal, and we're never completely sure what is real and what is a fantasy. The idea behind the film is that while a film is permanent, the viewing experience can change depending on the viewer.

A man, his wife, and her adult son view a porn film in their castle featuring a stunning blonde. The bratty son gets tired of it, and they go to a carnival for his entertainment. There, they notice a performer who looks just like the blonde woman in the film they just watched, and the man invites her back to the castle to watch the film. However, when they get her back to their place, the film is not the same as it was before. The next day, each one is seduced by the alluring blonde (Silvana Venturelli) and learns a bit about who they really are.

THE LICKERISH QUARTET is quite dated. What turned audiences on in the early '70s seems pretty tame, even funny, today. That said, it's still an entertaining artifact from a different time and there's really not much else like it.

The Blu-ray comes with a decent amount of extras, including an informative audio commentary by Metzger, a making-of, trailers, and more.

"The Lickerish Quartet" is a shining example of alternative 1970's film making. In a time when adult films had to be classified as "art-films" to avoid censorship, writers and directors were forced to put a lot of effort into plot, dialog, and storyline. The end result sometimes worked better than others and here we see just how imaginitive a.... film can be. Beautiful cinematography, grandiose setting, and a certain "twighlight-zone" twist, make this film anything but boring. What makes it shine is the way it reflects the ... vision of 1970. The sex is free and easy, though carefully handled and practically "R" rated. If you like seduction, passion, and lovers running through the grass, this is the film for you. There's plenty of porn around, but this is something else. The motorcycle stunt scene is worth the price of the film alone. Director Radley Metzger has secured a place in film history.