Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

Adore Blu-ray Movie Review

Will moviegoers adore this film?

Reviewed by Martin Liebman December 9, 2013

The complications of uncontrollable lust amidst those with close, lifelong bonds are at the center of Adore, a 2013 film from Director Anne Fontaine (Coco Before Chanel), based on the novella The Grandmothers by Doris Lessing. The picture wades through two of the more complex and difficult screen affairs in recent memory, not necessarily for any sort of steamy depictions of sex (the film is rather tame in that regard) but for the subtext that hangs around the story, a story that feels like it comes as close to depicting an incestuous relationship as one can get without actually meeting the definition of the term. Yet that's but the superficial. Deeper, the film explores the complexities of abnormal relationships from a few unique perspectives, not only between younger men and older women but between individuals who are all but family, the men who grew up together like brothers with the older women who grew up as, and remain, inseparable best friends. It's an examination of basic human desires taken to the extreme and the emotional consequences that follow as their lives continue both separately and together as lovers, friends, and practically family.

Best friends.

Lil (Naomi Watts) and Roz (Robin Wright) are lifelong best friends who grew up together on the Australian coast and still call it home well into middle age. They're both mothers of full-grown young men -- Roz's son Tom (James Frecheville) and Lil's son Ian (Xavier Samuel) -- who are themselves all but blood brothers and spend their days racing, surfing, and playing with one another. Roz is married to Harold (Ben Mendelsohn) and Lil is a widow. There's an obvious attract between Ian and Roz, which manifests into a sudden and, thereafter, regular sexual relationship. A stunned Tom, who has long been attracted to Lil, initiates a sexual relationship with his best friend's mother, a relationship that requires a bit more effort but that, too, is ultimately fruitful. The film follows these four lives during and after their sexual relationships.

At its most basic, Adore plays out like a succinct but well-executed Soap Opera, one that's not made of cheesy dialogue and predictable scenarios but rather genuine emotions and repercussions that exist beyond the immediate and with consequences that are explored, not merely felt. More, the film features terrific acting, a great score, and wonderful photography. Audiences who refuse to, or cannot, see beyond its basic premise will certainly be inclined to turn away from the film considering its challenging and, in some ways, amoral story lines. Fortunately, there's more to consider here than mere superficialities. The film doesn't always succeed in fully exploring every avenue that opens up to it as the story unfolds, but it ultimately succeeds in painting a picture of humanity that's certainly a fair bit darker than those the cheery sort of Romantic films create. In many ways, then, Adore is much more honest about core emotions and desires and its study of the ability to either control or give in to those emotions and desires. More important to the story, it does a fine job of studying what happens afterwards, not necessarily in the immediate but in the long-term relationship of four inseparable individuals.

Both the deeper and the more superficial aspects of the story are supported by a number of factors that raise the film above the average fray. It's the beneficiary of stellar acting by both Naomi Watts and Robin Wright who are sometimes even overshadowed by their male co-stars James Frecheville and Xavier Samuel. They play their parts with a serious air, not with frat-boy antics. Their characters, who could have been only props all too happy to bed the older women, explore the consequences of their relationships with one another and, more importantly, within themselves. They bring an oftentimes subtle but always mood-shaping dynamic to the film that helps make it complete. The picture also uses location to its benefit. While there's a sense of openness to the sprawling beachside setting, there's also a complimentary sense of intimacy. Rarely does the film expand beyond its four core characters and several important secondaries. The sense of openness contrasted with the rather limited roster helps to support the themes of togetherness and openness both, of intimate exploration and a wider opening for trouble. Director Anne Fontaine frames the film beautifully and uses all of her assets -- including her actors, her settings, and her music -- to top effect.

Adore Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Adore arrives on Blu-ray with an oftentimes stunning high definition transfer. Paramount's Blu-ray presentation showcases a high end cinematic texture, offering complex details and bright, even colors. There are moments when the image appears a bit brighter than it should, washing out some daytime scenes and some darker corners, but generally it's rather well balanced throughout. Detailing is exemplary. The transfer showcases complex facial features, individual beads of water, clothing lines, and terrain and vegetation textures with startling accuracy. Image clarity is superb, and only a few softer looking shots are scattered throughout. Colors are varied and vibrant, from teal-colored ocean water to bright green vegetation. Black levels are generally deep save for a few of those washed-out shots, while flesh tones are even though slightly pale, at times. There are no immediately noticeable compression issues and no signs of wear. This is a high quality presentation from start to finish.

Adore Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Adore's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack suits the movie well. It's heavy on supportive ambient effects and music. There are plenty of instances where the Australian coast seems to extend beyond the screen thanks to a very well engineered sound presentation. Breezes, rustling leaves and grasses, and heavy waves effortlessly blow and crash through the listening area with a beautifully natural presence and texture. Music is nicely spaced and extremely clear and well-defined, whether score over the opening titles or dance beats heard later in the film. Otherwise, this is largely a dialogue-heavy film, and Paramount's soundtrack presents the spoken word with excellent clarity and stage presence. This is a terrific all-around presentation.

Adore Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Adore contains no supplemental content. The box does contain a voucher for a UV/PC digital copy.

Adore Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Adore certainly isn't for all audiences. It covers subject material that may be a bit too disturbing, taboo, amoral, or flat-out weird by more traditional Romance picture standards, but then again the film aspires for more than that, to study the human condition under unusual sexual circumstances. It does so satisfactorily, though not always fully. It's supported by terrific performances, excellent direction, and a complimentary location. It's certainly a film for a specific audience, but that audience will likely find much to, well, adore. Paramount's Blu-ray release of Adore features strong video and audio. Unfortunately, the studio has not included any supplemental content. Casual audiences should rent before buying.