Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Arrebato Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 10, 2022

1979’s “Arrebato” is written and directed by Ivan Zulueta, and he’s interested in taking viewers on a journey few will fully understand. It’s a feature about drugs, movies, and sleep, and it doesn’t form a traditional narrative approach, preferring to slosh around the muddiness of interpretative cinema. Zulueta enjoys getting lost with the audience, creating a picture that’s primarily a Lynch-ian study of textures and behaviors, embracing a different kind of power that comes from inscrutable filmmaking.

Obsessiveness and addiction largely drive the events of “Arrebato,” which assembles something of a story early on. The screenplay provides a few elements of mystery, exploring the arrival of a package containing an audio cassette, a key, and a reel of film. The lead character examines these materials, sending him on a journey of time and heroin. Drugs play a critical role in “Arrebato,” but Zulueta doesn’t focus on any particular crisis, electing to float around the unknown with the characters, who deal with unique situations of slumber and moviemaking in increasingly abstract ways.

Arrebato Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.67:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Arrebato" delivers strong textures throughout the viewing experience, keeping up with the production's love of all sorts of surfaces and substances. Skin is nicely detailed, highlighting personal wear and tear and brief elements of glamour, and costuming is fibrous. Color is lively, exploring lighting choices and decorative elements. Clothing also brings out compelling primaries. Signage has power as well. Delineation is exact. Grain is heavy and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Arrebato Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 LPCM mix reaches about as far as the original sound recording goes, with the low-budget endeavor offering some mild fuzziness with highs. Dialogue exchanges are comfortable and communicative, preserving performance choices as things get hushed and weird in the film. Music delivers satisfactory power and instrumentation. Atmospherics are appreciable.

Arrebato Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features podcaster Mike White.

• "Ivan Z" (52:28, SD) is a 2003 documentary on Ivan Zulueta, directed by Andres Duque.

• And a Trailer (1:41, HD) is included.

Arrebato Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

There's plenty here for art-house fanatics and world cinema enthusiasts to enjoy (including production participation from Pedro Almodovar), but two hours of "Arrebato" is a bit much, with Zulueta asking too much of his audience as he works through his fetishes and fears. Characterization is not where it should be, with the writing playing too loose with personalities, making it difficult to participate in the gradual freak out. The viewing experience of "Arrebato" is more about appreciating the helmer's fixations and his interest in the universe of the late-1970s. It's a picture that's open for examination and analysis, but doesn't demand outside involvement, often playing as a private fantasy for Zulueta.