In the Courtyard Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.0

In the Courtyard Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman October 9, 2015

They say that old age ain’t for sissies, and if some iconic rock stars seem to be disproving that adage, evidently their ranks do not include the extremely addled Antoine (Gustave Kervern), a middle aged (or better) guy who is seen in In the Courtyard’s opening moments evidently having a psychological crisis of sorts, refusing to go on stage as part of an apparently popular band he’s a member of. The film quickly segues to Antoine’s straits trying to stay employed, as he deals with an addled counselor who is tired of finding him new jobs every few months. A discarded ad for a janitor offers a tantalizing possibility, and Antoine finds himself ensconced, if not exactly happily so, at an older residential building in Paris owned by Mathilde (Catherine Deneuve) and Serge (Féodor Atkine). If Antoine’s solution to the travails of fate is to withdraw into near solitude (a theme that runs rampant through many of director Pierre Salvadori’s oeuvre), Mathilde, no spring chicken herself, finds her outlet in a series of perhaps questionable causes, leading to some friction with Serge and an ultimate meeting of minds (and maybe hearts) with Antoine.

Less reliant on plot mechanics than a simple exploration of some aging characters coming to terms with their various lots in life, In the Courtyard is often a bit on the droll side, with Mathilde perhaps nearing a nervous breakdown (as evidenced by her obsession with a crack in the wall of her building, a not exactly subtle symbol), and Antoine seemingly content (or at least resigned) to wallow in his own emotional problems. The film has a series of variously amusing vignettes dealing with Antoine and the eccentric residents of Mathilde’s building, but the real emotional impact here comes courtesy of two misfits haltingly reaching out to each other, even if a happily ever after seems predestined to fail spectacularly. Performances are quite winning, helping the film to overcome a certain predictability and a few narrative hiccups.

In the Courtyard Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

In the Courtyard is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Cohen Media Group with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.38:1. There are occasional very slight image instability issues with pans and a bit of motion judder on elements like fine blossoms on cherry trees, but otherwise this is a very nice, colorful and precise looking presentation. The film might not be quite as picturesque as some might hope, tending to exploit more of the dowdy interiors of Mathilde's building than with any stunning exterior vistas, but the palette is refreshingly natural looking, and detail is very good to excellent throughout, especially in close-ups.

In the Courtyard Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Cohen finally seems to understand that high definition consumers want their Blu-ray discs to default to lossless audio, and so commendably this disc defaults to its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix rather than the also included Dolby Digital 5.1 mix. This is a somewhat subtle mix, emphasizing dialogue more than any over the top sonic elements. Some of the busier urban environments offer some good immersive elements, and there's good attention paid to varying ambient sounds within the apartment building itself. Dialogue is presented cleanly and clearly on this problem free track.

In the Courtyard Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview with Director Pierre Salvadori (1080i; 28:35)


• Theatrical Trailer (1080p; 1:49)

In the Courtyard Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The unexpectedly enjoyable pairing of Deneuve and Kervern offers the most appealing aspect to the slight but affecting In the Courtyard. The film's reach probably exceeds its grasp, with a few too many plays for profundity which the perfunctory nature of the screenplay can't quite support. Deneuve continues to carve out a substantial character career and her Mathilde is another interestingly wounded but resilient woman. Technical merits are generally strong, and In the Courtyard comes Recommended.