Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

Eileen Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 9, 2024

In 2016, director William Oldroyd made a strong impression with “Lady Macbeth,” transforming a Russian novella into a riveting sit, and one that offered an amazing lead turn from Florence Pugh, helping to launch her visibility. After a seven-year break, Oldroyd is back with “Eileen,” which presents another adaptation challenge, bringing Ottessa Moshfegh’s 2015 book to the screen, with the author co-scripting with Luke Goebel. The filmmakers have quite a story to share with viewers, cutting into the fantasies and brutal realities of the eponymous character – a young woman facing a stagnant life of casual abuse, with her essence enlivened by the arrival of a psychologist looking for friendship, or maybe something more. “Eileen” takes its time to set mood and deal with the ways of the complex characters, and Oldroyd delivers compelling atmosphere to support the journey, also handling potent performances from stars Thomasin McKenzie and Anne Hathaway.

In the 1960s, Eileen (Thomasin McKenzie) is a 24-year-old woman living with her alcoholic father, Jim (Shea Whigham), in Massachusetts. She works as a secretary at the Moorehead Juvenile Prison, spending her time doing menial tasks and focusing on one inmate, Lee (Sam Nivola), who’s serving time after murdering his father. Eileen has no friends and a broken relationship with her verbally abusive father, but the darkness of her life is brightened by the arrival of Rebecca (Anne Hathaway), a prison psychologist fresh to the Moorehead experience, carrying herself in a different way. Rebecca looks to Eileen for help with the new surroundings, with the two developing a friendship, giving the young woman a chance to experience a relationship that’s outside of her family, and she’s excited about the possibilities of this bond. As Eileen and Rebecca exchange stories from their lives, mutual interest in Lee emerges, with his past and relationship with his mother, Rita (Marin Ireland), of concern to the twosome.

“Eileen” doesn’t hide its uneasy qualities, introducing the main character inside her busted old car, parked in a space commonly used by lovers, watching a couple engage in a sexual experience while she masturbates, ending the session by dropping snow on herself. Eileen doesn’t have a boyfriend, with her oversexed ways driving a commanding fantasy life, giving her a temporary respite from her reality. This daily drudgery involves time with Jim, an ex-cop flattened by depression, with the death of his wife and abandonment of his preferred daughter leaving him to drink excessively and deal dangerously with a handgun, making him neighborhood trouble. And there’s Elieen’s job, which has her interacting with mean old women and dangerous boys, keeping an eye on Lee, who’s withdrawn, making him an ideal candidate for her concentration to help take her mind off all the bleakness she endures.

Oldroyd creates a vivid mood of craving in “Eileen,” and also hopelessness. Eileen is stuck in a troubling situation, absorbing Jim’s hatred for his second-born child, and she’s numb at Moorehead. Rebecca’s arrival snaps Eileen to life, with the blonde, outgoing arrival giving her attention, even requesting her company for social engagements, including a visit to a local bar. They connect, and the writing begins a wonderful examination of this relationship, with viewers unsure of the exact feelings in play, only seeing Elieen’s excitement about the opportunity, which inspires her to use her mother’s wardrobe and experiment with makeup to keep up with Rebecca’s glamourous ways. Adding to the union is the saga of Lee and his mother, with the parent’s distress during a visit complicating the situation for both women, but for Eileen, her place on the outside of it all adds to her confusion and fuels her curiosity.

Eileen Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.65:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Eileen" follows "The Holdovers" in the you-fooled-me department, with both features working to turn digital cinematography into a retro viewing experience. It's grainy, boxy image for "Eileen," resembling a 16mm-shot endeavor, dealing with a softer level of detail to explore. A general appreciation of character is present, with some feel for skin particulars and heavier period costuming. Interiors are decently dimensional, and exteriors in winterscapes are reasonably deep. Colors are active, with heavy washes of red for intimate encounters and bar experiences. Brighter whites are found with prison tours. Primaries are distinct, captures on period outfits and decorative additions. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is decently resolved, with some mild blockiness at times.

Eileen Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA tracks deals with the largely conversational nature of "Eileen," which isn't big with showy sonic moments. Dialogue exchanges are crisp, following casual chats and a few more heated discussions. Actors prone to mumbling are easily understood as well. Scoring delivers defined dramatic support, with sharp orchestral moments and deeper strings for suspense, adding some low-end definition. Soundtrack selections are also clean. Surrounds push out musical moments with some immersion, and sound effects are mild but appreciable, with faint movement at times. Atmospherics with bar and detention center environments are compelling. Sound effects are snappy.

Eileen Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on this release.

Eileen Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Eileen" is held together by McKenzie, who communicates wonderfully strange energy in the main role, securing Eileen's misery, detachment, and eagerness, especially when she's offered time in Rebecca's glow, feeling seen for a change. And Hathaway is right there with a more enigmatic part, blending mystery with a cosmopolitan aura, making scenes of connection between the characters play on multiple levels. For 65 minutes, "Eileen" seems like a character study, and an absorbing one with complex people and needs. Eventually, a destination is revealed in the writing, taking things in a different direction, and Oldroyd doesn't lose control of the endeavor. He goes deeper into his filmmaking tributes and cinematic style, creating a memorable final act that finds a way to land the feature in a satisfactory manner, still retaining a powerful hold on personality and behavior that carries throughout this fascinating picture.