Clear History Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

Clear History Blu-ray Movie Review

A valiant effort that nevertheless underwhelms a bit too often...

You either love Larry David or wonder what all the fuss is about; dig Curb Your Enthusiasm or find it rudderless and irritating; look forward to a film like Clear History or brace yourself for the worst. Fortunately, director Greg Mottola's revenge comedy proves itself reasonably funny and should at least earn a few laughs, regardless of how you feel about David. That doesn't mean the laughs necessarily come by way of the Seinfeld mastermind, though. It's David's supporting cast that does all the heavy lifting, and what a supporting cast it is. Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Amy Ryan, an uncredited Liev Schreiber, Bill Hader, Philip Baker Hall, Kate Hudson, Danny McBride, Eva Mendes... even third stringer J. B. Smoove. After a brief opening stretch in a beard, wig and performance that render him nearly unrecognizable, David quickly sinks into his exasperated neurotic shtick while his co-stars fight tooth and nail to keep the movie afloat. Fans of David's work will enjoy Clear History more than most, despite coming away with the distinct impression that things weren't as sharp or snappy as they could have been. Detractors will see a side of David that's more likable and bearable than usual. And, for once, both camps will meet somewhere in the middle, having had a decent time with the film but admitting it could have been a more satisfying comedy.

David, buried under a forest of hair...

Clear History Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Clear History offers a solid 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation that's more than faithful to Mottola and cinematographer Jim Denault's intentions. In fact, the only issue I noticed was a hint of intermittent aliasing, which pops up from time to time (the most obvious instance being attached to the frames of Hamm's glasses during the opening minutes of the film). Otherwise, there's very little to complain about and even less to criticize. Colors are natural and lifelike, with pleasant skintones and deep blacks. Contrast is consistent and delineation proves more than capable. And detail is largely refined and revealing. Edges are cleanly defined (without any serious ringing), textures are nicely resolved and the only softness that appears is inherent to the original photography. Moreover, significant artifacting, banding, noise and other distractions aren't a factor.

Clear History Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Fit but almost entirely front-heavy, Clear Space's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is precise, proficient and, sadly, forgettable. Dialogue is clean, clear and intelligible at all times, with a perfectly prioritized soundscape backing it every step of the way. LFE output is tepid and unremarkable, though, and the rear speakers only invest the bare minimum into each scene. There's some able-bodied ambience and interiors fare well, but the soundfield is fairly flat and uneventful. Even so, this is the film as it was made. A lossless track can't work miracles after all.

Clear History Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Clear History arrives on a barebones disc. No commentary, production featurette... not even any of the extended promos and cast interviews HBO aired in the weeks prior and the days following the movie's debut.

Clear History Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

After an opening sequence with loads of potential, Clear History shuffles its feet and beats around the bush, never really committing to its premise or just how far it could have pushed the revenge comedy. Still, the cast is excellent all around, with turns from Hamm, Keaton, Hader, Ryan and McBride that keep things interesting and moderately funny. HBO's Blu-ray release is better (at least in the AV department) thanks to a solid video presentation and decent DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. Special features would have infused some much-needed value and, possibly, rewatchability into the film, but so it goes. All told, Clear History isn't a clear winner. That doesn't mean it isn't worth a rent, though.