This special limited edition J-card MediaBook holofoil slipcase (designed by Brianna Miller) is limited to 3,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.
Taking its name from the Lumière Brothers invention of the same name, Cinématographe is a new sub-label from Vinegar Syndrome that seeks to fill gaps in the canon of American cinema. Offering a mix of auteur driven studio films produced during the New Hollywood era of the late 1960s and 70s all the way through the indie boom of the 1980s and 90s, Cinématographe will explore the wide breadth of American moviemaking, spanning numerous genres and scales of production. Curated and produced by Vinegar Syndrome's Justin LaLiberty, each limited edition release will be housed in a specially designed, cloth-bound, media book with embossed foil titles and custom molded disc trays accompanied by a slipcase featuring newly commissioned art and an individually numbered J-card.
High school senior Leslie Hindenberg (Michelle Meyrink, Real Genius) is convinced she’s dying following a medical exam, believing she has only six weeks left to live. Determined to not die a virgin, Leslie sets out on a mission to lose her virginity before her presumed untimely demise. The problem is, her father (Christopher Lloyd, Back to the Future) is a physical education teacher at her school, serving as an obstacle for would-be suitors. That is, until she meets Alan Holt (Cameron Dye, Valley Girl), a similarly virginity afflicted teen on the same mission.
Inspired by Alex Comfort’s non-fiction global bestseller, JOY OF SEX is a raucous 80s sex comedy directed by Martha Coolidge (Valley Girl, Real Genius) and adapted for the screen by Kathleen Rowell (The Outsiders) with Joyce and John Salter (billed on screen as J.J. Salter). Featuring a talented, eclectic, supporting cast that includes Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters), Colleen Camp (Clue), Lisa Langlois (Class of 1984) and Heidi Holicker (Valley Girl), JOY OF SEX is an often overlooked coming-of-age comedy from one of the freshest American filmmakers of the 80s. Cinématographe is proud to present Martha Coolidge’s ribald, feminist, tale of virginity loss in a brand new 4K restoration from its original camera negative, supervised by the filmmaker, for the first time on home video since VHS!
directed by: Martha Coolidge starring: Cameron Dye, Michelle Meyrink, Colleen Camp, Ernie Hudson, Christopher Lloyd, Lisa Langlois, Heidi Holicker 1984 / 93 min / 1.85:1 / English DTS-HD MA 2.0
Additional info:
Region A Blu-ray
New audio commentary with film historian Elizabeth Purchell and film critic Katie Rife
Realities of Filmmaking - a new video interview with director Martha Coolidge
It Was All Cut - a new video interview with screenwriters Kathleen Rowell, Joyce Salter and John Salter
Passionate About It - a new video interview with actress Colleen Camp
Coolidge - a new video essay profile of Martha Coolidge by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
Grace Under Fire - a new video interview with actress Lisa Langlois
New text essays by film critics Marya E. Gates, Kristen Lopez and Stephanie Monohan
English SDH subtitles
Overall rating: 4.5365853 / 5 from 205 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
The Joy of Sex Blu-ray release from Cinématographe is highly praised for its stunning packaging, amazing art, and special features. The vintage 80s sex comedy is appreciated for its originality and restoration. While opinions vary on the movie itself, the overall product is well-received.
"Incredible packaging, special features, transfer, and a great film." — Kyle W.
"Awesome art work, very nice box, picture looks great, and it's an awesome 80s sex comedy." — Michael M.
"Perfect blu ray with perfect picture and excellent packaging and pretty solid special features included." — DANNY G.
Reviews
A Real Joy to Discover
"Joy of Sex perfectly captures the 80s idea of teen life in very broad strokes — promiscuity, drug use, social anxiety. Everything is played big and for laughs, and the script is smart in this way. It touches on all the tropes of high school movies. There’s no villain but the anxiety that comes with feeling left behind sexually. It’s a very horny movie with hardly any nudity. There’s an innocence to it despite the adult themes being explored. Martha Coolidge’s direction is light and swift, and the performances by all the twenty-something’s playing teens are enjoyable. Cinematographe highlights another rarely mentioned gem from the 80s, and I hope there are more like this to come."
— Francisco W. (3/5)
Fun Release with Great Packaging
"A fun and nicely presented release with good insight into its era and style. The film has a distinctive look, and the slipcover adds a lot to the overall collector appeal. The disc is well packaged and makes for a solid addition to the shelf."
— Thomas L. (5/5)
More Than Its Reputation
"The Joy of Sex is one of those films that sounds far more provocative than it actually is. Beneath the sensational title lies an earnest relationship drama that mixes romance, comedy, and self-discovery with a distinctly late 20th-century sensibility. While some of its attitudes have inevitably dated, the film has an easygoing charm and a sincerity that keeps it engaging. The performances are likable, and its willingness to explore intimacy with humor rather than exploitation gives it an appeal beyond simple curiosity. Cinematographe’s release offers the perfect opportunity to reassess a film that has often been overshadowed by its title, revealing a surprisingly thoughtful and entertaining character piece."
— Antonio T. (4/5)
One Of The Rare Adaptations To Feature The Book On Which It Is Based
"A couple years ago, a planned Indicator special edition Blu-ray release of ISHTAR was cancelled at the last minute. One of the rumors for the cancellation was supposedly due to Warren Beatty not wanting the disc features to delve into the critical failure, public drubbing, and “box office bomb” status of the film. Whether or not this is true (and I’m not necessarily trying to make comparisons between the two films), Cinématographe’s release of JOY OF SEX doesn’t hold back when it comes to the trials and tribulations of getting Alex Comfort’s book to the big screen. The long adaptation process, rushed pre-production, low budget, and painful post process is illustrated throughout the essays, commentary (yay for Katie Rife and Liz Purchell!), and cast & crew interviews. The saving graces and strengths of the film aren’t exaggerated (though it has aged surprisingly well in some respects), and the warts & all presentation of this release is a refreshing illustration of the many facets of filmmaking and how you can’t throw out the baby with the bathwater when it comes to an artistic product hundreds of people came together to make. Also, photos don’t do it justice, but the art/packing of the limited edition slipcase is gorgeous!"
— Maxim P. (4/5)
Not bad
"I love finding 80s teen comedies that I haven't seen before. This was one of them and it has some really funny moments. It might not be as good as other main ones like Valley Girl or Fast Times at Ridgemont High but still a fun experience. 3. 5 stars"
— Erik G. (3/5)
Forgotten coming of age flick
"I'd totally forgotten about this movie. Sweet coming of age movie. Great packaging!"
— Arthur C. (5/5)
Really great transfer!
"A really great transfer of this 80s sex comedy by VS. Was able to grab the limited slipcover with awesome packaging art before they sold out!"
— Jonathan W. (4/5)
The packaging on these is
"The packaging on these is a little excess, but I’m not going to lie, I kind of love them. This disc is loaded with extras, great artwork, and of course the film is super entertaining especially for those who grew up on the 80s teen romps."
— Kyle C. (4/5)
Excellent packaging.
"haven't had a chance to watch it yet, but last time I watched it was 85."
— Mike F. (5/5)
A joy, indeed. . .
"I never thought I'd see this particular title get this deluxe treatment but I sure am glad it did. Not quite on par with Martha Coolidge's other films, it's still an interesting film for her. Quite a few extras and a great booklet, plus the movie has never looked better!"
— Kevin L. (5/5)
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