6.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Anita is a troubled, lonely high school student. Encouraged by her prison inmate pen pal, she murders her sexually abusive stepfather then joins the recently-released prisoner to hide the body and embark on a violent killing spree.
Starring: Drew Barrymore, Robert Greenberg (II), Rodney Harvey, Jeremy Davies, Dan EisensteinThriller | Insignificant |
Crime | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Romance | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (384 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0
English, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
If the title and general plot mechanics of Guncrazy were pretty obviously designed to evoke memories of Joseph H. Lewis’ well regarded 1950 film noir Gun Crazy, there’s probably a somewhat more recent referent that will spring to some viewers’ minds, namely the 1967 classic Bonnie and Clyde, at least insofar as Guncrazy posits a couple on the lam from the authorities and who, in the words of the tagline from the legendary Arthur Penn film, “are young. . .in love. . .and [who] kill people”. (It's probably no coincidence that the back cover of this release overtly mentions Bonnie and Clyde.) Guncrazy had a somewhat long gestational period, and when it was finally screened at Cannes in 1992, it was met with a perhaps surprising indifference from potential distributors. At least due in part to that initial reaction, the film actually premiered for most U.S. audiences in the form of broadcasts on Showtime, and it was for that reason that Drew Barrymore received a Golden Globe nomination in the “ Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film” category (she didn’t win).
Guncrazy is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of the MVD Rewind Collection, an imprint of MVD Visual, and FilmRise with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1. Some anomalies like noticeable telecine wobble during the credits and a somewhat variable presentation that can tip close to noisy territory in some of the darkest moments may suggest this isn't a new restoration and/or master, but in the most bright lit and/or outdoor moments, this presentation looks rather good, with a nicely saturated palette and generally commendable detail levels. Some of the darker material is pretty gritty looking, as can be gleaned from some of the screenshots I've included with this review, and there are also a few kind of odd color timing moments, as in a cafe scene with Barrymore and LeGros where flesh tones are almost orange looking. Some minor banding can be seen in scenes where lighting conditions change quickly.
While there is a lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 track that opens things up in a lot of the outdoor material, the "main" track here is an LPCM 2.0 which provides fine support for dialogue and effects. The score by Ed Tomney features a lot of low end synth pads, which can kind of surge through the sound design and slightly overpower things at times, but the source cues sound fine. Optional English and Spanish subtitles are available.
I think if scenarist Matthew Bright and Davis had simply gone for the gusto in terms of some of the black comedy that roils just beneath the surface at times in this story, this "version" of Guncrazy might have registered more strongly with audiences. Barrymore is disturbingly fun in this film, and the colorful supporting cast also features generally good performances. There are some tonal inconsistencies in the presentation that may create obstacles for some, but fans of Barrymore in particular will probably find at least some things to admire in this film. Technical merits encounter a few issues, but the two new documentaries on this disc are outstanding, for those who are considering a purchase.
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