Extremities (1986)
Blu-ray Company: Olive Films
Starring: Farrah Fawcett, James Russo, Alfree Woodard, Diana
Scarwid
Plot: Product Description: Marjorie the victim of a robbery
and near rape by an attacker who has successfully fought off. But her feeling
of safety is short-lived when she realizes that the attacker has her address
from her stolen purse. Soon Marjorie is facing her attacker again and now she
must survive by any means.
My Review and Thoughts:
A pure unforgettable story, acting and direction. It's a
film that sticks with you. Haunts your mind and leaves a stain. A stain of
pain, suffering and Justice. I have seen this film many times, but nothing as
clear and pristine as this Blu-Ray. Olive Films gave this old film a gorgeous
new outlet. I often state that reality over and over again as I adventure into
these Blu-rays that Olive Films continue to bring out, but the truth is, that
reality of truth is the amazing quality that these Blu-Rays are. This film is
crystal clear with this new high definition transfer on Blu-Ray.
The terror, heartache and pain and suffering, displays
itself in emotionally dramatic acting by Farrah Fawcett. To me this is her
defining role, she truly played the victim perfect. She made you believe her
plight. Something that I think that is the ace to this film, is it displays the
tragedy that happens to a lot of victims during the time period of the 80's and
even still today, that the victims are always the one victimized, blamed, or
never protected until it's too late. What makes this film so unique and
different is the victim’s trauma and fear and ultimate sense of violation
spirals into a justice seeking vigilante thriller that leaves a brilliant
terrifying experience.
The crime, and taunting is brutal, sadistic and evil.
It really is a brutal film that showcases a heartbreaking
brutality that never lets up in spots. Shocking and twisted. It really is a
solid film. Amazing direction, but the performances by Russo and Farrah is the
very term acting.
I feel this movie is as important and brilliant now as it
was then. It's an exploration of violence. It's a statement on the idea of
victim and the torment and suffering one feels when being violated, or having
their safety taken away. This mixes many emotional genera's into its plot. From
drama, to home invasion horror, to the survival reality. I think what makes
this film stand out is the acting by both Farrah and Russo. Russo to me is the
pivotal idea of human evil in this part. His sadistic nature and torment of an
innocent female, his taunting and humiliation is very extreme. Both Farrah and
Russo play off each other. It looks real, it makes you feel the pain and
suffering. It makes you experience the dread of knowing what is happening.
Farrah becomes the very idea of victim. She speaks loudly for the innocent one
being haunted, tortured and hurt.
James Russo is an actor that is able to not only become the
parts he plays, but he is able to transcend the parts and become the very
breathing essence of the character he is playing. The part in Extremities is no
different. His character in this film is unbelievable. Russo and Farrah aced
perfection in this part.
Now this film is based on a stage play by the same name
written by William Mastrosimone. William is clearly a fantastic writer. He has
many credits under his belt, some being made into film and other stage plays,
or as in this case a stage play becoming a movie. He also wrote the play
Nanawatai, which would become the movie, The Beast 1988. He has also written
many scripts that ended up becoming very important pieces of film, the
wonderful mini-series, Into the West and The Burning Season, which both got him
nominations at the Emmy Awards. He won two Emmy’s for the amazing, stunning
drama film, 2002’s Bang You’re Dead, which is also based on his stage play by
the same name. William knows how to create strong roles. He gives life to his
characters. He seems to be able to embody those characters, and give a voice,
life, and most of all, the emotions to be alive and make the viewer stunned,
floored and absolutely in awe of the story. Extremities and the performances in
this film is the very pivotal understanding of that art-form, and talent he is
able to showcase.
Farrah received a nomination for Best Actress at the 1986
Golden Globes for her part and rightly deserved it. I think Russo and Farrah
deserved awards for their parts. Now on a side note with a little trivia, the
original Marjorie character, who was played by Farrah in the film version, in
the 1982 play version, the wonderful and amazing Susan Sarandon started the
role. Now both Farrah and Russo had also played in the off Broadway play which
would lead into the film version.
All the performances are amazing. Alfre Woodard and Diana
Scarwid play believable, dramatic and stunning performances right along with
Russo and Farrah. Absolutely loved the music and soundtrack by J.A.C. Redford.
The whole film works in many ways. Olive Film’s has done another fantastic job
in creating this transfer onto Blu-Ray. This is vibrant in color, the imagery
is clean and crisp and the sound is amazing. I love how this old film has been
cleaned up and transferred to Blu-ray.
Audio/Video:
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: Mono
Overall:
Truly a must see dramatic film that leaves a haunting
reality upon the viewer. A great blu-ray experience. A wonderful example of an
80's dramatic exploration of violence and the scenario of being a victim that
has had enough.
INFO:
It will be released on May 19th 2015.
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