Candy Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Candy Blu-ray Movie Review

For 2006’s “Candy,” director Neil Armfield delivers an adaptation of a novel by Luke Davies, who collaborates on the production’s screenplay, which details the life of two heroin junkies trying to remain in a functional relationship during the extremes of their self-harm. There’s nothing about Davies’s story that’s pleasant, giving Armfield a particularly difficult creative challenge, asking viewers to remain with two highly damaged people who often find themselves out of control. The movie’s solution is to identify and amplify the love story between Candy (Abbie Cornish) and Dan (Heath Ledger), adding a certain level of dewy poeticism before dropping the hammer of reality on the twentysomethings repeatedly throughout the effort. The attempt is laudable, but “Candy” isn’t always as interesting as Armfield believes it to be, giving himself an excessive runtime to oversee the cycle of addiction while trying to transform the picture into a Malickian viewing experience of beauty and wonder while descending into the pits of Hell.

Candy Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Candy" was previously issued on Blu-ray in 2010, reviewed here as a release from "Drakes Avenue Pictures." The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation from Shout Factory appears to utilize the same master, offering an aged viewing experience, but one that's functional. Perhaps more noticeable is a depletion of colors, with skintones looking slightly bloodless and the general palette showing little freshness. Clothing and locations seem a little washed out, and delineation is adequate, but a few scenes lose the battle against solidification. Detail is acceptable, capturing the grungy living space of the main characters, surveying filth and ruin. The same is found in close-ups, as the wear and tear of drug addiction is open for inspection, despite a degree of softness. Source is in fine condition.

Candy Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix is dealing with a fairly uncomplicated aural design, and one that leads with dialogue exchanges. Performances and accents are never hard to follow, offering sharp pronunciation and subtle emotionality. Scoring is supportive, secured with appealing instrumentation that communicates the highs and lows of the domestic and drug experience. Atmospherics are limited, rarely explored with noticeable depth, and low- end isn't challenged.

Candy Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features director Neil Armfield and writer Luke Davies.

• "The Path to Wild Abandon" (9:12, SD) is a making-of featurette for "Candy," collecting interviews with cast and crew, who share the creative vision for the picture. Themes are discussed, with the interviewees trained to reinforce the love story aspect of the material, not the drug use. Casting is celebrated, and the production's development period is detailed, including six years spent shaping the screenplay. Director Neil Armfield's efforts to master tone is also examined.

• "Writing on the Wall" (2:22, SD) is a brief presentation of poetry.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:50, SD) is included.

Candy Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Candy" strives to capture the grand arc of addiction, going from a place of harmonious experimentation to the decimation of spirit, all the while focusing on Candy and Dan as they try to figure out their connection in life, clinging to the idea of love without ever really respecting its power. They're confused characters, but Armfield doesn't go deep enough with the couple, preferring to make something artful and improvisational instead of crafting something profound. Select scenes hit their mark, especially when the twosome is forced to confront the reality of their actions, including familial relationships and a pregnancy, and while performances are showy (Cornish is especially pronounced with her dramatic purging), they often come up short when it comes to a deeply disturbing communication of chemical suicide. "Candy" isn't meant to be an After School Special, and it shouldn't be. Armfield doesn't take the disease lightly in the least. However, he's never quite hostile either, more interested in generating a dreamy actor's showcase with Cornish and Ledger (and Geoffrey Rush, who portrays a genial dealer and fellow junkie) than delivering a critical comprehension of depressive motivation, sacrifice, and denial. There's power here for the taking, but the production tends to stay away from the harsher aspects of self-destruction.