Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

Labor Day Blu-ray Movie Review

A labor of love.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman April 27, 2014

Nothing misleads people like the truth.

Labor Day is a peculiar film, one that novelly and expertly blends together two rather distinct styles into an engaging and oftentimes mesmerizing tale quite unlike anything either of the genres within which it's fashioned have seen before. Based on the novel of the same name by Joyce Maynard, Director Jason Reitman's (Up In the Air) filmed adaptation offers a striking contrast between story and tone of presentation. The film's ever-present sense of unease and fear that's juxtaposed against a growing feeling of tenderness and safety creates a unique atmosphere that's perfect for framing the rather unique story that shares those same contrasts. It's a story without traditional heroes and villains, separating them, at first, but blurring and all but eliminating that line as the film progresses. The story scores highly for originality and interest, but the film, too, earns high marks for its precise construction and excellent performances.

"It's that salesman again. Tell him we're not home!"

When Henry Wheeler (Gattlin Griffith) and his anxious, publicly uncomfortable mother Adele (Kate Winslet) go back-to-school shopping in a small 1987 Northeastern bargain store, they are approached by a mysterious man named Frank (Josh Brolin) who insists he be taken back to their home. Frank bluntly professes the truth, satiating that he's an escaped convict who is seeking temporary shelter while his wounds heal and his body rests. News of his escape startles the community and places both the law and civilians -- including a number of Wheeler family friends -- on high alert. Despite Frank's high profile, history of murder, and de facto kidnapping, Adele and Henry quickly bond with him. He makes repairs around the house, teaches Henry to bake and play baseball, and grows romantically fond of Adele. Now, the only thing that can keep the makeshift family apart is the massive manhunt taking place right outside the house and throughout the local community.

Labor Day certainly knows how to lure in its audience from the get-go. The film crafts an immediate sense of mystery and dread through a basic yet haunting score that's matched by an equally foreboding dramatic structure, particularly in its opening act. The film's opening musical notes, notes that set the tone for that chilling overlay, juxtapose against beautiful green landscaping that, together, embody the entire movie's basic structure that's all about imbalance and the slow progression to an uneasy equilibrium that evolves into joy and finally comes back full circle to that dread and imbalance. Reitman doesn't play his audience, though. He simply tells the story and shapes it in a manner that explicitly defines where it is in the narrative while also reminding audiences of where it's been and hinting towards where it's headed. It's startlingly effective and knowledgeable direction, a perfect compliment to a unique story that will leave the audience experiencing a broad array of emotions while transfixed on both the larger story and the nuances that shape it.

The movie rarely stumbles, only occasionally falling into the trap of telegraphing plot points, but the few times it does so are largely negated by its fully captivating rhythm, structure, and style. Reitman's complete grasp of the thematic structure and understanding of the story's nuance are a great asset, but the film is also the beneficiary of a trio of superb lead performances. Josh Brolin delivers one of the best efforts of his career, perhaps the finest since No Country for Old Men. His character embodies the film's very essence, that duality between tenderness and terror. Brolin captures that dichotomy beautifully, creating an overt sense of fear, shaping his character as something of a monster-in-waiting while displaying a tenderness and gentlemanly approach to his interactions with the Wheeler family, whether tying Adele to a chair or massaging her hands while mixing together the ingredients for pie. The character evolves throughout the course of the film both in linear progression and through flashbacks, neither of which pull any punches but instead create a rather fascinatingly honest and brutal character study arc. Kate Winslet is equally marvelous, exploring a deeply pained woman leading a broken life, held together by the blessings of what she has left but suffering in memory of all that she's lost. She conveys a very palpable hurt, particularly in the first and third acts, a vulnerability blended with something of a hopeless romanticism and loneliness that allows for her bonding with Frank to come quickly yet naturally. Lastly, Gattlin Griffith is superb as Adele's son who matures into puberty as he comes to understand the realities of intimacy that exist well beyond physical contact.

Labor Day Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Labor Day features a strikingly rich, clear, and satisfying 1080p presentation. The HD video source material sparkles, looking just a slight bit less organic than film but nevertheless capturing incredible detail and color throughout. Indeed, Paramount's transfer reveals a broad cross-section of incredible textures, from dings and scrapes on the family wagon to general wear-and-tear in and around the Wheeler home. Grasses outside, cans lining the shelves inside, and all variety of fine object detail looks marvelous. Likewise, clothing textures are precise, and skin details reveal every line and flaw. Colors are frequently warm, particularly house interior shots, scenes, and sequences. Brighter outdoor shots and other well-lit locales, however, reveal a natural and balanced palette. Black levels are deep and accurate while flesh tones take on a realistic appearance. The image suffers from no evident technical flaws in the form of excess noise, banding, or blockiness. This is a fine example of a modern high end digital transfer.

Labor Day Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Labor Day's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack enjoys excellent balance and presence within the rather meager confines of its basic needs. Music is frequently simple in presentation, particularly the rather haunting notes that open the film. They're simple yet deep, pronounced yet not overwhelming, filling but not aggressive. A police car siren screams through the stage with nice presence and movement in one early scene. From there on out, however, the track is almost completely constructed of basic dialogue exchanges that play with natural clarity and front-middle placement. Light ambient effects help shape several outdoor scenes, playing with minor but mood-critical envelopment. It's nothing flashy, but Paramount's lossless track handles the film's requirements with ease.

Labor Day Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Labor Day contains an excellent commentary, a high quality feature, and deleted scenes.

• Audio Commentary: Director Jason Reitman, Director of Photography Eric Steelberg, and First Assistant Director/Co-Producer Jason Blumenfeld open by discussing how the film was originally imagined and how it was ultimately executed. They discuss various shot constructions and purposes, the making of various scenes, location scouting and shooting locations, casting, story themes, plot details, performances, anecdotes from the shoot, and much more. This is a very strong, evenly paced, informative, and oftentimes compelling track. From November 21, 2013, in Austin, Texas.
• End of Summer: Making Labor Day (HD, 29:06): A piece that begins with Author Joyce Maynard discussing the story's origins and moving on to look at the importance of characterization and precision acting in the film, character relationships, casting, performances, shooting in Massachusetts, story specifics and themes, the film's structure, the picture's tone, its music, Tobey Maguire's narration, the broader and specific emotions and details that define the film, and more.
• Deleted Scenes (HD): Biscuits (1:24), Diner (2:24), Mr. Jervis (2:38), Joe (1:24), Loss (2:17), and Something Like Popularity (0:54).
• DVD Copy.
• Digital Copy: UV and iTunes included.

Labor Day Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Labor Day is one of the best films of 2013 and something of an under-the-radar and, it would seem, slightly under-appreciated gem of storytelling, technical craftsmanship, and thespianism. The film is oddly, but alluringly, unique, dark yet touching, dangerous yet comforting, weaving together a story of budding romance against a backdrop of past hardships that have brought two unlikely potential soul mates together. That said, the film is truly best enjoyed as blindly as possible upon the first viewing. Afterwards, it opens up an entire new world of possibilities, from thematic analysis to technical appreciation. It's a film worthy of repeat viewings and significantly more praise than it's heretofore earned. Paramount's Blu-ray release of Labor Day offers superb technical presentations and several good supplements. Very highly recommended.