Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Life of Riley Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf March 1, 2015

French director Alain Resnais experienced a powerful, eclectic career before his death in 2014 at the age of 91. With such classics as “Hiroshima mon amour” and “Last Year at Marienbad,” Resnais defined a generation of filmmakers, contributing to the rise of the French New Wave with his dignified work. “The Life of Riley” isn’t his most triumphant effort, but this adaptation of an Alan Ayckbourn play provides a fitting end to his career, finding the last picture from Resnais touching on themes of life and death, love and loneliness, and the comfort of others. As parting shots go, it’s remarkable how fitting the material is to the helmer’s personal journey.

Eschewing a cinematic presentation, “Life of Riley” remains stagebound, filling screen space with a minimalist set design, including plywood trees and long strips of painted canvas to suggest housing and horizons. There’s also a dash of illustrated artistry, finding establishing shots using artwork to explore the land, while certain close-ups retain a greenscreen graphic quality, much like “Sin City.” This blurring of film and play works to Resnais’s advantage, creating an emotive landscape with shifting colors and lighting, permitting concentration on his gifted cast, filled with talent who’ve worked with the helmer before. “Life of Riley” is striking to watch, tinkering with the idea of artifice as it digs into profound feelings tied to battle of life, with insecurities, regret, and uncertainty worked into the fabric of this effective dramedy.

Life of Riley Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.40:1 aspect ratio) presentation certainly embraces a pronounced use of color, with bold, secure hues filling the frame, emerging from costuming, set design, and illustrations, offering lush primaries. Skintones are equally welcome. Fine detail is superb, capturing textures on fabrics and faces, giving definition to emotions. The HD-shot feature looks very clean and fresh, while offering secure blacks during evening sequences that deliver comfortable delineation.

Life of Riley Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't built for a big display of elements, but it does preserve a sharp simplicity that fits the movie well. Orchestral scoring selections explore excellent instrumentation and support, also bringing a secure low-end to the listening experience. Dialogue exchanges are crisp and tight, never losing their dramatic power. Surrounds are primarily utilized for atmospherics, isolating rural particulars.

Life of Riley Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (12 pages) features essays from Alain Resnais and film critic Glenn Kenny.

• Interviews (16:24, HD) collects thoughts and interpretations from the cast, who share their feelings about the Resnais work environment, allowing their tremendous admiration to shine through. Talk of character motivation and the merging of theatrical and cinematic aesthetics are also included.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:34, HD) is offered.

Life of Riley Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Despite its heartsick interior, "Life of Riley" isn't difficult to get through. Lighter moments prevail, and the ensemble is aces, capturing the ebb and flow of the script. And when the movie stalls, its visual achievements are hypnotic. Perhaps Resnais should've exited with a more daring project, and while "Life of Riley" doesn't challenge in a way the helmer was capable of delivering, it's an oddly appropriate point of exit on an incredible career.