7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 3.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Three sisters find their lives spinning out of control in the wake of their parents' sudden, unexpected divorce.
Starring: Mary Beth Hurt, Richard Jordan, Diane Keaton, E.G. Marshall, Geraldine PageDrama | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: LPCM 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region B (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 0.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Note: This film is also available as part of the set Woody Allen: Six Films 1971-1978.
The six films included in a new set from Arrow comprise some of Woody Allen’s best known and best loved offerings, but they also provide a
nice
window into Allen’s evolution from a schtick and gag laden auteur to a filmmaker with something obviously a bit deeper on his
mind
than “only” going for the gusto in terms of laughs. Tracing the kind of frankly odd route from Bananas to Interiors
may not provide much grist for a mill interested in narrative through lines, but it at least provides ample evidence that Allen, no matter how he’s
seen
currently within the context of his external “baggage,” has always been a relentlessly unique force in the contemporary film world. Allen’s
filmmaking
craft also increases exponentially over the half dozen films in this set, and one of the more interesting things to pay attention to is how his
directorial
chops noticeably improved in terms of even relatively simple things like framings and how to set up a shot for maximum impact. But Allen’s
writing
went through a similar metamorphosis, slowly but surely turning away from, or at least relying less upon, sight gags and just downright
goofiness in
favor of more intellectually prone humor. Allen continues to be a divisive figure, not just in the annals of cinema but (not to state the obvious)
for some
of the personal choices he’s made through the years (not to mention allegations that have been leveled against him), but these six films, most
done
before any major “brouhahas” had started to append “meta” analyses to his offerings, are an often stunning example of a brilliant comedic mind
who
also began to nurture his more dramatic tendencies.
Interiors is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Academy with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. (This disc is locked Region B.) This is another of the Allen films being released by Arrow which have not yet seen a domestic United States release. Again, as with both Bananas and Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex*, is pretty much in line with a lot of what we've seen from the MGM/UA catalog of Allen's films, with a decently organic but older looking master that struggles with consistency both in terms of grain management and clarity. There's a bit of wobble in the credits, along with some noticeable white flecks on the black backgrounds of the credits sequence, which may also suggest an older master. While a lot of this transfer boasts decent levels of detail, the grittiness of the grain at times as well as insufficient contrast can lead to issues like crush or just a general lack of fine detail levels. Watch, for example, how Keaton's hair is just kind of a mass during her therapy sessions, while another scene with Keaton and Richard Jordan on a couch shows next to no facial details. A later scene with the family dancing after Arthur's marriage to Eve is marred by a very large scratch which suddenly erupts across Arthur's face. All of this said, when lighting is decent, the palette looks fine, if (intentionally) burnished and somewhat brown toned. Also in decent lighting conditions, fine detail perks up considerably (as for example with the fine textures of that designer couch in Joey's apartment).
Interiors's LPCM 2.0 mono track suffices perfectly well for a film that is virtually all talk, all the time (unlike other Allen efforts, there's very little music other than a couple of source cues). Some sound effects, like the seascape that surrounds the family's beach home, can sound just slightly phased at times, but otherwise this is a clear track that may not provide a ton of sonic "wow," but which gets the job done with no appreciable damage to report.
I know there will be some Allen fans who see the 3.5 score I've given Interiors and will take it as the clear, convincing evidence they've always needed that I am in fact an all time idiot. I have just never found this dour, depressive film to be as convincing on purely dramatic terms as some of Allen's later work (including Stardust Memories, as a matter of fact). Those who don't mind an introspective "Trauma-fest" may find more to "enjoy" here (if that's the right word, given the emotional dynamics of much of the film), but even for those who, like me, can't warm up to these cold, self obsessed characters, will appreciate some of the fine performances the film has to offer. Technical merits are good (video) to excellent (audio), and with caveats noted, Interiors comes Recommended.
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