6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Depressed single mom Adele and her son Henry offer a wounded, fearsome man a ride. As police search town for the escaped convict, the mother and son gradually learn his true story as their options become increasingly limited.
Starring: Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin, Gattlin Griffith, Tobey Maguire, Tom LipinskiRomance | 100% |
Coming of age | 21% |
Melodrama | 19% |
Period | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
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!"
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'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 contains an excellent commentary, a high quality feature, and deleted scenes.
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.
2009
2014
1961
2008
2017
2017
Unrated Edition
2015
Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1943
1988
2015
2012
1987
includes Texasville on Blu-ray
1971-1990
2005
2008
2017
Charlie St Cloud
2010
1937
Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
1969
2004