Score (1974)

Studio: Cult Epics/CAV
Theatrical Release: April 16, 1974
DVD Release: October 12, 2010
Not Rated

Review by James Klein

Radley Metzger's 70's erotica has finally hit blu ray in its complete uncensored cut. This film gives viewers a look back at the porn world of yesteryear when sex and nudity was chic and couples would flock to the movies to watch what we now deem as dirty; something we watch behind closed doors. Although I am not a big fan of adult films, Score does have its moments.

This X rated version of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf is about an older couple named Elvira and Jack who work in the day and at night get together with various swinging couples to do the nasty with one another. Elvira's friend Betsy is a Catholic prude whose husband Eddie seems to be bored with her and she doesn't know why. When Elvira and Jack invite them over for dinner, the younger couple come to grips with their marriage and they all decide to have sex...with Elvira and Betsy together and Jack and Eddie together!

While the film isn't rated, the movie is X rated and close to being XXX as we see Jack and Eddie get it on in graphic detail. Apparently these scenes were cut out originally and this blu ray release is the fully uncut (no pun intended) version. Elvira and Betsy's "exploration" is nowhere near as graphic as Jack and Eddie's so some viewers take heed: there is man on man action that had me grabbing the remote and slamming my finger on the fast forward button.

What makes Score watchable though is the experimental direction by Metzger who has some wild shots, mostly done with either water or mirrors. This isn't an adult film where the camera is set up and everyone screws. Score shows that Metzger has talent behind the camera, making the film not as dull as one might expect. I also really enjoyed the theme song to the film which sounded like a Beatles tune. Although it is played frequently, I never got bored by the song and really enjoyed it. Also, the beautiful Lynn Lowry (who co-starred in horror films The Crazies, Shivers, and Cat People) is always enjoyable to look at, especially when she's naked.

Score has some really awful acting and over the top dialogue, one in which I was cracking up over. When Jack and Eddie discuss Eddie's ring, Eddie says "Does it make me look queer?" and Jack responds, "Queer strange or queer faggoty?" The movie was based on a play (the original play had a small role played by Sylvester Stallone!) so it seems like the actors are performing for the stage and not in a movie so dialogue is almost shouted out with everyone making grand gestures. The movie is a comedy however and tries to be funny but the jokes fall flat and you find yourself laughing AT the movie than WITH it.

Score is not for everyone. Hell, I doubt I will watch the film again but the movie may be enjoyed by bi-couples or fans of the 70's erotica/time period. The blu ray comes with a featurette and a long interview with Lowry herself that is interesting to watch. The picture quality on the blu ray doesn't look like it came from  good source (lots of scratches and sometimes dialogue looks out of sync) but then again, this is the most complete version of the film out now. I'm just unsure if that is a good thing or not.