5.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A spiritualist medium holds a seance for a writer suffering from writers block but accidentally summons the spirit of his deceased first wife which leads to an increasingly complex love triangle with his current wife of five years.
Starring: Isla Fisher, Dan Stevens, Leslie Mann, Judi Dench, Emilia FoxRomance | 100% |
Comedy | 74% |
Fantasy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
“Blithe Spirit” is a filmed version of a highly successful 1941 play by Noel Coward, which inspired a 1945 David Lean big screen adaptation, starring Rex Harrison, Constance Cummings, and Kay Hammond. A beloved light comedy from a sharp wit, Coward’s imagination is resurrected by screenwriters Piers Ashworth, Meg Leonard, and Nick Moorcroft, who try to do something with the material for another interpretation. The trio get a little angrier this time around, offering a slightly heavier take on Coward’s vision while still attempting to maintain comic rhythms with a game cast who seem genuinely delighted to be participating in this project. “Blithe Spirit” has select moments of enjoyable insanity, but the farcical aspects of the work don’t come through with any distinction in the new version. Director Edward Hall (a television veteran) makes a pretty picture, but one that doesn’t sustain enough energy to the end, giving viewers less and less as the feature tries to bring Coward to a new audience.
The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation secures compelling detail during the viewing experience, with skin particulars present throughout, exploring age and makeup designs. Costuming is fibrous, exploring a range period outfits, and interiors are loaded with decorative additions. Exteriors are dimensional as well, visiting deep tennis courts and property visits. Colors are bright, presenting distinct primaries, drawn to sharp reds and blues, and greenery is exact. Skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Some banding is detected.
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix preserves dialogue, offering crisp voices and accents during the listening event. Musical offerings are just as sharp, keeping up the jazzy mood with distinct instrumentation. Low-end isn't challenged, but more active physical movement and sound effects deliver some weight. Surrounds are strong with atmospherics, capturing city and tennis court bustle, along with theater activity. Supernatural events also register with activity, and music pushes out at times.
Tech credits on "Blithe Spirit" are outstanding, with lighting, set design, and costuming achievements often more interesting to watch than the central crisis of a literal ghost writer. Movie industry additions are also inviting, opening the scope of the material to add extra pressure on Charles. It's the overall flow of tensions and humor that doesn't come through with enough vigor in "Blithe Spirit." It's easy on the senses with intermittent highlights, but as something intended to present a more rolling display of panic, the new version comes across a bit too slack to satisfy.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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Warner Archive Collection
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