Faust Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		2.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.5

Faust Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 26, 2014

In 2002, director Aleksandr Sokurov masterminded “Russian Ark.” A sweeping exploration of the Hermitage Museum, the picture was a technical and artistic marvel, following through on an ambitious filmmaking design while securing his name as a creative daredevil to watch. Following up such an achievement hasn’t been a priority for the veteran Russian helmer, who’s most comfortable examining fogged psychological spaces in broken characters, finding an apt challenge in “Faust,” an adaptation of the famous German legend.

To brave the sophistication and deliberate inscrutability of “Faust,” one must fixate on Sokurov’s craftsmanship. It’s a film that’s not afraid of gore, with the titular character searching for the meaning of life in the innards of the dead (the picture basically opens on a shot of a corpse’s penis), rummaging around goopy parts on a mission that he doesn’t particularly understand. The journey takes Faust throughout his town, interacting with evil and temptation, yet the director never allows the viewer to fully grasp that stability of the situation. It’s an abstract expedition into madness and morality, and one that frequently employs distorted camerawork to communicate a warped frame of mind. The intentional visual choice takes some getting used to.

Faust Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.32:1 aspect ratio) presentation is meant to mimic a style of classic filmmaking and exhibition, but it mostly looks like mediocre video. Noise is a persistent problem, as is banding, which swallows frame particulars on occasion. Blacks are weak, coming across purplish, while hues in general are diluted, even more so than what's intended to preserve the drab period atmosphere. Detail is rare as the image registers with softness, though select moments do communicate a reasonable HD viewing experience.

Faust Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't taxed in full, with the feature's winding ways paying most attention to narration, which is discernible but hardly profound. Dialogue exchanges are passable, delivering adequate clarity. Atmospherics periodically show life, with blowing wind and crowd activity opening up dimension. Scoring is sparse but provides the biggest impact, with a full orchestral sound embracing a circular presentation, delivering sharp instrumentation and some welcome low-end.

Faust Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on this disc.

Faust Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Faust" is best left for those equipped for this type of grueling adventure, as Sokurov doesn't make a casual viewing easy. Pacing is troublesome, as is the overall approach, which almost invites immediate dismissal, but it's difficult to deny the visual achievements of the feature. There are elaborate costumes to enjoy and an overall illness to the locations that reinforce Faust's hellish experience, generating a fullness of vision that's not easy to achieve. However, Sokurov doesn't extend invitations to the funeral, with much of "Faust" fighting outside appreciation by dragging along instead of coming alive. There are moments in the movie when the viewer will undoubtedly be willing to sell their soul to watch something else.