Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.5

Let Him Go Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman January 30, 2021

Let Him Go is a film from Director Thomas Bezucha who was previously best known as the helmer behind a couple of midlevel Rom-Com types (The Family Stone, Monte Carlo) but who has now emerged as a force in the Thriller genre. His latest, based on the novel of the same name by Larry Watson, is one of the best pictures in the admittedly truncated 2020 movie year. This is a tightly woven, emotionally tumultuous, and physically unnerving film that is at once both thematically rough and cinematically graceful. The simple story of separation and reconciliation evolves into a desperate tale of violence and revenge for an elderly couple seeking to reunite a broken family devastated by tragedy and broken by circumstance.

The bond.

On a beautiful morning after breakfast, James (Ryan Bruce), husband to Lorna (Kayli Carter), father to Jimmy, and son to George (Kevin Costner) and Margaret (Diane Lane) Blackledge, takes a horse for a ride. Later on, the animal returns, riderless. George finds his son’s body not far from home, supposedly thrown from the animal and suffering a broken neck. A couple of years later, Lorna remarries a man named Donnie (Will Brittain). In town, Margaret sees Donnie physically and verbally abusing Lorna and her son. When Donnie, Lorna, and Jimmy suddenly disappear, Margaret convinces George that they should together track down their grandson and ensure his well-being. They know little about Donnie or his family but they quickly discover that Lorna and Jimmy have been pulled into a dark and abusive family at the top of which is the sharp-tongued, no-nonsense matriarch, Blanche (Lesley Manville), who has no desire to permit the Blackledge’s to be a part of Jimmy’s life.

Let Him Go’s success stems from the picture’s careful balance of narrative simplicity and intensely unnerving storytelling. The plot mechanics are familiar but what’s different here is the degree to which the cast, via a script with all of the intangibles, delivers the content with another commendable balance, here the contrast between pleasantries and conflict. The line between these two opposites is clearly defined and quickly erased. The conflict between the families escalates almost immediately, even in the guise of cordiality, and the audience can instnatly sense the simmering distrust and burgeoning hatred on both ends. It’s so carefully crafted as to feel not crafted at all; it’s complex yet refreshingly natural and invigorating, a true edge-of-the-seat experience that engenders so much tension without pandering to its audience.

Costner and Lane engender instant audience investment in their plight. The characters are naturally, thoroughly, convincingly, and agreeably drawn. They’re tender and tough, capable of both extremes but obviously favoring the former and only loosing the latter in dire circumstances. They don’t parse words, and George in particular will speak his mind and get to the point. Costner is at home with the role, playing a rugged Montana retiree who frequently stands behind his wife as the stalwart presence, allowing her to take a stab at grace and goodwill rather than swoop in with both barrels (though that’s something he’s not opposed to doing). But this is Diane Lane’s movie. She’s incredible in her blend of tenderness and ferocity. It’s Costner who handles most of the physicality but Lane’s turn as the maternal figure who sets aside her fear in the name of family is Oscar-worthy.

Let Him Go Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Let Him Go debuts on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer framed at the 2.39:1 aspect ratio. The picture quality is sure and steady. It's nothing out of the ordinary but the digitally photographed elements translate particularly well to Blu-ray where satisfying clarity and color reproduction highlight. The picture reveals firm, steady details. The picture is in full command of broad and intimate textures alike, well capable of sprawling definition to open countryside and revealing intimate pores and other facial features with equal attention to detail. Viewers will appreciate intricate fabric definition on clothes and the complex gore elements in the film's most graphic shot. Color reproduction is strong. The movie isn't overly splashy but essential tones are deep and accurate to the film's color timing and deliberate tonal atmosphere which grows progressively darker as the film moves along. A few bursts of blood find perhaps the most intensity while essentials like clothes and natural greens bear the fruits of excellent contrast and color depth. Black levels are largely fine, though some of the darkest shots during the climax do appear a bit washed out. Skin tones are accurate to any given lighting condition. Noise is very mild and in those darkest scenes very sensitive viewers will spot light compression artifacts, but overall this is a good, fundamentally sound Blu-ray presentation from Universal.

Let Him Go Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Let Him Go brings listeners in via a high quality DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack. Many of the track's highlights come not in overpowering sound effects but rather subtle atmosphere. There's some nice open ambience of all kinds throughout the stage and in many different scenes. Thunder rolls and gentle rain falls during the dramatically intense dining room scene midway through the film, reinforcing the context and suggesting the pending terrors to come. Distant train whistles, chirping birds, small town street din, and the like bring a number of scenes alive. Listen at the 13-minute mark for a terrific example of the track's effortless ambient fill. Other effects of more prominent engagement and depth – trucks rumbling down roadways, gunfire, crackling fire – offer more forcefully engaging yet still highly detailed sound elements. Musical width and clarity are strong. Dialogue is clear, well prioritized, and center focused. This is not a ferociously minded track, but it works all components with detail and grace.

Let Him Go Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Let Him Go contains three featurettes. A DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.

• The Making of Let Him Go (1080p, 6:23): Cast and crew discuss story, recreating the 1960s setting, cast and performances, and the film's technical aesthetics.
• The Blackledges: Kevin Costner & Diane Lane (1080p, 4:14): A closer look at the relationship the film builds between Costner's George and Lane's Margaret as well as the actors' camaraderie and commitment to the parts.
• Lighting the Way: Thomas Bezucha (1080p, 3:15): The director discusses the source novel and the piece further looks at his screenplay and the film's tenor.

Let Him Go Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Let Him Go is the sort of film that's rough and raw yet sincere in tone, building a believable tale of family conflict and the quick deterioration of relationships when there's no room for maneuvering on either side. The film is terrific, Bezucha is a name to keep an eye on, and Lane is special; all three are well worthy of Oscar consideration. Universal's Blu-ray is a bit thin on special features but the video and audio presentations are fine. Very highly recommended, largely on the strength of the film.