Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Her Smell Blu-ray Movie Review

Writer/director Alex Ross Perry specializes in off-beat character examinations, and he’s done depressive downfall with actress Elisabeth Moss before, in 2015’s “Queen of Earth.” Their collaboration was powerful then and remains vibrantly poisonous in “Her Smell,” with Perry taking his fixation with mental illness to the alternative rock realm, dialing back the clock to the mid-1990s to examine the complete and utter erosion of a music star. Perry doesn’t pull punches here, creating a deep sea dive into madness, with Moss going for broke in a turn that runs exclusively on pain and shame. “Her Smell” demands an audience with the ability to remain in the vortex of a nervous breakdown for 135 minutes, and those with the proper preparation are rewarded with a raw, often thrilling display of behavioral excess.

Her Smell Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Originally released in 2019, "Her Smell" returns to Blu-ray for a second shot at success, only this release is more focused on supplementary additions. The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation is the same as the previous disc, dealing with extreme lighting and restless camera work, and doing so with a much larger file size and better encoding. Cinematographic interests are preserved, and periodic stillness permits appreciation for detail, which explores natural faces, showcasing blemishes and fatigue. Costuming is textured, going from showy stage wear to soiled cotton shirts. Backstage decoration is open for study, along with more peaceful domestic interiors in the midsection of the movie. Colors hit extremes, but not uncomfortably so, with Perry's Heaven and Hell scheme intact, delivering blazing reds. Concert lighting is more diverse, along with clothing choices. Skintones are precise. Delineation is communicative.

Her Smell Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix does a fantastic job keeping the listener inside various environments. Surrounds are incredibly active, capturing the distant presence of restless crowds while backstage drama unfolds, and channel separation is utilized to identify instrument placement in recording studios. Dialogue exchanges are sharp, exploring the manic energy of the performances, securing mumbling as well. Music is clear with defined instrumentation, defining percussive snap and guitar-driven power. Atmospherics are always enveloping. Low-end isn't taxed for an actor-driven effort, but beats offer thump.

Her Smell Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (10 pages) contains faux album cover analysis from designer Teddy Blanks and writer/director Alex Ross Perry.

• Commentary #1 features writer/director Alex Ross Perry and actress Elisabeth Moss.

• Commentary #2 features writer/director Alex Ross Perry, recorded in 2019.

• "Half Price 2" (14:52, HD) is an interview with writer/director Alex Ross Perry and cinematographer Sean Price Williams. The two meet up on an apartment rooftop, halfheartedly discussing the making of "Her Smell." Bits are present, including Williams taking a phone call from his doctor (who has unwelcome news for his patient), fiddling with his microphone, and offering a sudden saxophone solo. Somewhere in here are moviemaking tales, including the use of "Basic Instinct" as a visual guide for "Her Smell," and they reveal how Williams accidentally smashed actress Cara Delevingne in the face with a camera. Also included is a discussion of film stocks, with a camera malfunction leading to a happy accident during the concert sequences.

• Interview (46:42, HD) is a video conference discussion of "Her Smell" with writer/director Alex Ross Perry, composer Keegan DeWitt, and editor Robert Greene. The interviewees go deep into the process of collaboration, especially with the final mix of the picture, which made Perry extremely nervous when considering how many venues the feature would play with poor acoustics.

• Behind the Scenes (6:42) offers a look at the Hi8 scenes from the film.

• Interview (48:16, HD) pairs musician Brandi Carlisle and actress Elisabeth Moss at the 2019 South by Southwest Film Festival.

• "Can't Wait" (1:29) is a music video by Akergirls.

• "Breathe" (2:51) is a music video by Something She.

• Gallery #1 (1:05) collects faux album covers from the movie.

• Gallery #2 (11:28) collects personal photos from the shoot, taken by Alex Ross Perry.

• T.V. Spots (1:05, HD) offer three commercials for "Her Smell."

• "Gotham Awards" (:45, HD) is a short promo.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:33, HD) is included.

Her Smell Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The walls close in during "Her Smell," but the feature is never out of Perry's control, as his screenplay makes specific points about offenses and amends, tracking the arc of forgiveness and rehabilitation, ultimately adding temptation to Becky's list of problems. There's peace to the be found (Moss has a fine moment as Becky sings Bryan Adams's "Heaven" to Tama at a piano), but the movie is mostly a tornado of complications and confrontations, performed by a capable cast who eschew glamour to showcase their fatigue, committing to Perry's vision for never-ending anxiety. It's a taxing sit, but "Her Smell" preserves a human side to the impenetrable darkness, with the helmer finding a fresh way to examine rock star implosion and the collateral damage it leaves behind.