Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Bubble Bath Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 6, 2024

Writer/director Gyorgy Kovasznai offers an ambitious tale of doubt and fear in 1979’s “Bubble Bath.” He creates a musical that explores various experiences in life, with the Hungarian production also delivering surreal animation to help expand reality and permit the helmer to play with visual elasticity and artful intent. “Bubble Bath” doesn’t always come across as a feature fully prepared to fill 80 minutes of screen time, but Kovasznai has an outstanding creative approach for the project, which is impressively crafted and periodically energetic.

Anna is a nurse studying for medical exams as she prepares to become a doctor. One afternoon, she’s visited by Zsolt, an interior designer feeling anxious about his upcoming wedding to Klarika, one of Anna’s colleagues. He doesn’t want to go through with the ceremony, pushing Anna to help him call it off, with the pair getting to know each other along the way. Klarika, who doesn’t fully understand what’s going on, pays a visit to Anna’s apartment with boxer Nandor, learning more about the student and her future husband.

“Bubble Bath” takes some time before a story begins to emerge, with Kovasznai looking to set the mood with Anna and her introductory offering of song and dance, exploring her love of a biology textbook. The feature is filled with tunes covering a variety of subjects, including the wonders of household appliances, with “Bubble Bath” driven by composer Janos Masik’s wonderful music, which brings the picture to life. Animation is also prioritized, with Kovasznai using the frame as a playground of visual communication, taking the endeavor anywhere he desires as appearances change, rooms bounce, and elements of documentaries and live-action activity join the party. It’s quite a creative achievement, with cinematic invention and experimentation the reason to remain with the effort as it feels its way around behaviors and character interactions.

Bubble Bath Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.37:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Bubble Bath" is listed as "beautifully restored by the National Film Institute in Hungary," with "Blu-ray authoring by David Mackenzie of Fidelity in Motion." The viewing experience provides an inviting look at the animation achievements of the picture, with its surreal visuals and interesting textures. Detail is preserved, securing elements of style and technique, including some live-action additions. Color is lively, with clear primaries and more varied period hues. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is nicely resolved. Source is in good condition.

Bubble Bath Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 LPCM track delivers a mostly crisp listening event for "Bubble Bath." Some elements of age remain, but dialogue exchanges are nicely defined throughout. Musical moods are supported with clear instrumentation and vocals. Sound effects are also appreciable.

Bubble Bath Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (14 pages) includes an essay by Jennifer Lynde Barker.

• Commentary features film historian Samm Deighan.

• Interview (6:45, HD) is a discussion of "Bubble Bath" with composer Janos Masik, who comes armed with his original sheet music, exploring his notes. The interviewee recalls his early interest in music, and discusses his experience with director Gyorgy Kovasznai, learning to work with the animation being produced for the feature.

• "Restoring 'Bubble Bath'" (9:01, HD) is a brief overview of the film and its return to screens, featuring interviews with composer Janos Masik and National Film Institute in Hungary employees Raduly Gyorgy, Orosz Anna Ida, and Fazekas Eszter.

• Shorts (HD) from director Gyorgy Kovasznai include 1963's "Monologue" (12:21), 1964's "Metamorphosis" (6:43), 1970's "Wavelengths" (9:48), 1972's "Nights in the Boulevard" (9:04), and 1974's "A Memory of Summer 1974" (9:53).

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

Bubble Bath Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Bubble Bath" gets into the thick of things with Anna, Klarika, and Zsolt, with the material exploring commitment in many forms, including potential parenthood, which remains an experience that weighs heavily on the groom. "Bubble Bath" is active, but it doesn't always feel dramatically involving, occasionally struggling to find a story to tell as more attention is placed on musical movements. The feature comes up a little short when dealing with the people involved in this triangle, but it remains triumphant as pure cinema, with Kovasznai using the potential of animation and song to deliver a unique understanding of human behavior.