7.5 | / 10 |
Users | 3.8 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
From the slums of Paris to the limelight of New York, Edith Piaf's life was a battle to sing and survive, live and love. Raised in poverty, Edith's magical voice and her passionate romances and friendships with the greatest names of the period - Yves Montand, Jean Cocteau, Charles Aznavour, Marlene Dietrich, Marcel Cerdan and others - made her a star all around the world. But in her audacious attempt to tame her tragic destiny, the Little Sparrow - her nickname - flew so high she could not fail to burn her wings.
Starring: Marion Cotillard, Sylvie Testud, Pascal Greggory, Emmanuelle Seigner, Gérard DepardieuDrama | 100% |
Foreign | 60% |
Music | 49% |
Biography | 41% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.34:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
French: DTS-HD HR 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
French, French SDH, English
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Region free
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
In 2008, Olivier Dahan's "La mome" won two Oscars - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Marion Cotillard) and Best Achievement in Makeup (Didier Lavergne and Jan Archibald). To celebrate its success, French distributors TF1 put together a spectacular Blu-ray release, which happens to be English-friendly and Region-Free. The disc also contains a number of extras, including a director's commentary, making of, gallery of deleted scenes, the film's 135-page script, as well as a number of interactive features.
"Non, je ne regrette rien"
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Olivier Dahan's La mome arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French distributors TF1.
For nearly two years, TF1's LE release of La mome was the most spectacular Blu-ray package in any region. Now, the LE is out of print and only this double set is still in circulation.
La mome looks fantastic! I've long maintained that it was the best Blu-ray transfer that I saw during the format's early days. It conveys an impeccable contrast, terrific clarity and excellent detail. The color scheme is also outstanding. Yellows, reds, greens, blues, browns, blacks and whites look fantastic. Furthermore, neither edge enhancement nor macroblocking are a serious issue of concern. On the contrary, the image is tight to the frame yet natural looking. The actual print is also notably healthy – there are absolutely no debris, scratches, specks or dirt on it. Simply put, this is a fantastic presentation of a fantastic film. (Note: Even though this Blu-ray disc is marketed by many online vendors as Region-B "locked", it is in fact Region-Free. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: French DTS-HD HR 5.1 and French Dolby Digital 5.1. I opted for the French DTS-HD HR 5.1 track and later on did a few random comparisons with the French Dolby Digital 5.1 track for the purpose of this review.
The French DTS-HD HR 5.1 track does not disappoint. The bass is deep and potent, the rear channels very active and the high frequencies not overdone. The dialog is crisp, clear and very easy to follow. Furthermore, there are absolutely no cracks, pops, hissings, or dropouts that I detected. The balance between the dialog and the music is outstanding. All in all, TF1 have provided a terrific track that truly does justice to this outstanding film.
The French Dolby Digital 5.1 track is also rather pleasing. Dynamically, it is not as potent as the French DTS-HD HR 5.1 track, but it certainly fairs well. As expected, the dialog is as crisp and clear as it is on the French DTS-HD HR 5.1 track.
TF1 have provided optional English and French subtitles for the main feature. This being said, those of you with digital projectors will be pleased to know that this Blu-ray disc allows you to place the subtitles either inside the image frame or below it. Furthermore, TF1 have also colored their subtitles – when Edith Piaf sings, the text for her songs is in red (in French and English).
Blu-ray disc:
Original theatrical trailer - in 1080p, not subtitled.
Script - the entire script for the film, a total of 135 pages, has been scanned and added to this Blu-ray disc. In text format, in French.
Interactive features - TF1 have added up five different options that allow one to get specific information about the cast, the shooting, Piaf's songs, and the script, as well a bookmark favorite scenes from the film and access exclusive photos.
An audio commentary - director Dahan and crew members comment on the film. In French, not subtitled.
DVD:
Making of - a standard featurette offering plenty of footage from the shooting of the film as well as numerous comments from the cast and crew.
Deleted / extended scenes - seven deleted scenes not subtitled in English.
Surprise - the two young actresses who play Piaf perform her famous "Milord"
La Mome a New York - footage from the premiere of the film in New York, director Dahan and Mrs. Cotillard's meetings with the press, the interviews they did, etc. In French.
La Mome Piaf - an Allerton Films documentary on the life and music of the French icon, and director Dahan's film. In French, not subtitled.
It is very unfortunate that not a single local distributor stepped up to release La mome on Blu-ray. I can only guess why! This being said, quite some time ago TF1 produced a spectacular LE Blu-ray, which is now out of print. The double set herein reviewed is still available at selected vendors. If you don't already have it in your collections, you should consider adding it up. Highly Recommended.
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