Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Bound Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov May 5, 2024

"Bound" (1996) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the release include archival audio commentary; archival program with Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly; archival program with Joe Pantoliano; vintage trailers; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

The text below was first used for our review of the French Blu-ray release of Bound in 2009.

A good friend of mine, who writes for a popular French magazine, once told me: "Bound is so sexy, if it was filmed fifty years ago, it would have become an instant noir classic.” Having just revisited the Wachowski’s film on Blu-ray, I have to agree. Bound has not lost its sex appeal one bit.

The story that is told in it is simple. Corky (Gina Gershon, Picture Claire) is a beautiful female ex-con who makes ends meet as a plumber. She is sent to an apartment building in downtown Chicago to do a job. In the lobby of the building, Corky meets Caesar (Joe Pantoliano, Bad Boys II), a local mobster, and his girlfriend, Violet (Jennifer Tilly, Bride of Chucky). While riding the elevator together, Violet looks at Corky in a way most men look at women. The three get off on the same floor. The apartment Corky is sent to work on is right next to Caesar and Violet’s place.

Soon after, Violet comes knocking on Corky’s door. She tells her that she dropped her ring in the sink, and because Caesar has stepped out, she needs help. Corky already knows why Violet is there, but decides to play her game. She goes to her place and helps Violet get her ring. Then, she gets her.

A few hours later, Caesar comes back. He has absolutely no idea what the two women have been doing. He invites Corky to have a drink and pays her for the help. At first, Corky protests, but then accepts the money. Then, she finishes her drink and goes back to work.

When the two women meet again, Violet reveals that she is sick of living with Caesar and ready to start a new life. She also tells Corky that someone (Barry Kivel, Body and Soul) is about to bring Caesar a case with two million dollars, which he must give to Gino Marzzone (Richard C. Sarafian, Bugsy), a big mafia boss. It is a lot of money that can permanently reset one's life -- or a couple's future. Is Corky interested in helping her steal the moeny and then runnnig away with her?

Bound was the Wachowski’s debut as film directors. It was released a year after they contributed to Richard Donner’s Assassins, a high-octane action thriller starring Sylvester Stallone, Antonio Banderas, and Julianne Moore. It received good reviews in North America, but it disappeared into oblivion due to a surprisingly poor support from its distributor. After it was released on DVD, it became something of a cult classic.

In Bound the sex is explicit but delicious. That famous sex scene between Gershon and Tilly (fully intact on this release) remains amongst the best I have seen in contemporary American cinema. The lines the two women utter before they start making love are fantastic.

There is plenty of violence in Bound as well, and Joe Pantoliano’s character is in the middle of it all. Similar to the sex, the violence is also wonderfully shot. A lot of it is mixed with a good dose of humor as well, which keeps it fresh. During the second half, for instance, there is a rather long scene where a man is badly tortured, but his misery is hilarious. I am convinced Quentin Tarantino has studied it, as different versions of it have appeared in a couple of his films.

You would either love or hate Bound. It is that type of film. I like it because it tells a good story and has a lot of style. I also like how deliciously naughty it is. Nowadays, we rarely see an R-rated Hollywood film where the sex is exciting. Typically, it is boring and tasteless. If you decide to see Bound, you may not like it, but I guarantee you won’t be bored.

Bound Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Bound arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

The release introduces an exclusive new 4K makeover of Bound, which is also available on 4K Blu-ray. (You can see our listing and review of the 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack here). I viewed the entire film in native 4K. However, I spent plenty of time comparing the new 1080p presentation of the 4K makeover with the different presentations from a few older releases I have in my library.

First, I think that the 4K makeover looks great in native 4K and 1080p. I prefer the fluidity of some visuals in native 4K, but darker areas and the brighter outdoor footage look extremely similar in 1080p. Delineation, clarity, and depth are very good, and some areas are now better balanced. On the previous releases I have, occasionally highlights and darker nuances appear uneven/slightly off. Color balance is improved as well. All primaries and supporting nuances look very, very healthy now. There are no traces of problematic digital corrections. Grain exposure looks good and remains stable. The entire film is immaculate as well. So, regardless of whether you have a 4K system or not, you should consider an upgrade because the improvements that the 4K makeover offers in native 4K and 1080p are very easy to appreciate. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Bound Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I viewed Bound in native 4K, but also spent plenty of time with the 1080p presentation on this Blu-ray release. The following comments are from our review of the 4K Blu-ray release.

The 5.1 track is outstanding. Clarity, sharpness, depth, and stability are very good. I suspect that it was fully remastered when the video makeover was finalized as well. However, I would have preferred to have the 2.0 track that has appeared on previous releases as well. While nostalgia probably has something to do with it, I tend to like it slightly better than the 5.1 track.

Bound Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - this archival audio commentary with the directors of Bound, Jennifer Tilly, actors Gina Gershon, and Joe Pantoliano, editor Zach Staenberg, and consultant Susie Bright has also appeared on various older home video releases of the film. It is fantastic, and I actually consider it one of the very best done to date. It is incredibly informative and very entertaining at the same time.

• Pipeline to Seduction - this exclusive new video essay was written and narrated by critic Christina Newland for the Criterion Collection in 2024. In English, not subtitled. (17 min).

• Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly - in this archival program, the two actresses discuss their initial reactions to the script for Bound, the shooting of the film, the unique qualities of their characters (Corky and Violet), the lovemaking sequences, the film's cult status, etc. In English, not subtitled. (27 min).

• Joe Pantoliano - in this archival program, Joe Pantoliano recalls how he was approached to play Caesar in Bound and discusses his interactions with its directors before and during the shooting process. In English, not subtitled. (15 min).

• Christopher Meloni - in this archival program, Christopher Meloni discusses the character he plays in Bound, Johnnie Marzzone. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Modern Noir - in this archival program, director of photography Bill Pope, editor Zach Staenberg, and composer Don Davis discuss their contributions to Bound and explain what makes the film unique. In English, not subtitled. In English, not subtitled. (29 min).

• Playing with Expectations - in this archival program, professor B. Ruby Rich and professor Jennifer Moorman discuss the evolution of film noir and emergence of neo-noir, as well as the themes and stylistic appearance of Bound. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).

• Title Design - in this archival program, title designer Patti Podesta discusses her career and work with the Wachowskis, including her contribution to Bound. In English, not subtitled. (7 min).

• Trailers - presented here are two archival trailers for Bound. In English, not subtitled. (5 min).

• Leaflet - an illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by scholar McKenzie Wark and technical credits.

Bound Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Bound is one of my favorite films from the great neo-noir renaissance that began in the 1980s. Without The Hot Spot, I think that it would have been impossible not to declare it the sexiest among these genre films. I have several different releases of it in my library, a few of which I have kept strictly because of nostalgia, and this upcoming combo pack will surely be the last one to get a spot there. It introduces an exclusive new 4K makeover that looks beautiful in native 4K and 1080p, so the standard Blu-ray release is just as easy to recommend. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.