Light Sleeper Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Light Sleeper Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov December 27, 2020

Paul Schrader's "Light Sleeper" (1992) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films. The supplemental features on the disc include vintage trailer for the film; archival Q&A session with Paul Schrader and cinematographer Ed Lachman; exclusive new video interview with the director; archival audio interview with with Willem Dafoe; and more. Also included with the release is an exclusive illustrated booklet with writings on the film and technical credits. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

What's your pleasure?

There is no other film in Paul Schrader’s oeuvre that has as stylish of a prologue as Light Sleeper does. Ed Lachman instantly sinks it in a neon-lit New York City night and then Michael Been’s stunner “World on Fire” sets the mood as the dealer goes to work. The visuals and the music come together just perfectly.

The name of the dealer emerges not too long after that, though it never becomes clear if it is real or an alias. When his wealthy clients page him and he delivers their orders in luxury condos or fancy night clubs, he identifies himself as John LeTour (William Dafoe). Real or not, the last name feels most appropriate because while the dealer sells it always looks like he is on some sort of a bizarre exploratory tour of the city.

But he isn’t independent. He works for Ann (Susan Sarandon), who owns the business and does all of the negotiations and contract work that get them the best product on the market, and coordinates deliveries with her assistant, Robert (David Clennon). She has hired a personal driver for him and pays him a salary, not a share of all sales that they generate together. The dealer does not mind because he isn’t saving or planning to do anything special with his life. As long as he has enough to buy CDs and cover his rent, he feels good.

For years, however, his boss has been working on a plan which culminates with the termination of her current business and the emergence of a new fashion company with branches around the world. Her plan does not have a spot for the dealer, but only because he has never expressed interest in being a part of it. If he decides to move out of the dealing business with her, she will welcome him with open arms.

While trying to figure out what the future holds for him the dealer accidentally meets his former lover (Dana Delany), who left him when she kicked her drug addiction and started rebuilding her life. The two then spend some time together and he begins fantasizing that they could restore their old relationship, but when tragedy strikes his world abruptly spins out of control.

Schrader is back on his turf with Light Sleeper and the confidence with which he makes different moves on it is instantly recognizable. So the transition into the reality of dealer is incredibly authentic and while the film lasts it really does feel like he is a real person delivering a motley crew of wealthy junkies their favorite fix.

However, what the film focuses on is not the mechanics of the dealing business, but the dealer’s struggle to insulate his personal life from his work and begin rebuilding it. This soon becomes a fascinating process of self-reevaluation that then gradually simplifies for him the nature of happiness and freedom and how they define one’s existence.

The balance between authenticity and the neo-noir stylization is really masterfully managed, and it is essentially what makes the film so engrossing. Even a slight motion in favor of one over the other would have instantly made it look unbearably pretentious.

Dafoe does a terrific job with his character and really carries the film on his shoulders. Delany was a terrific choice to play the ex-girlfriend who is trying to redirect her life as well. Surprisingly, Sarandon is the weak link and never quite convinces that her character actually has the instincts to survive and prosper in a cut-throat business.

Light Sleeper Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Light Sleeper arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Indicator/Powerhouse Films.

The release is sourced from an older master that was supplied by StudioCanal. (Yes, this is the same master that was used by the folks at Australian label Umbrella Entertainment to produce this release of Light Sleeper in 2018). It is a pretty decent master whose biggest strength is the absence of problematic digital corrections. It is an awkward way to describe it, but to be honest this really is the main reason why it is somewhat attractive. On the other hand, all of the key areas that we typically scrutinize in our reviews can be more convincing -- delineation, depth, clarity, density, and fluidity. The color scheme is good. In fact, in darker areas there are some surprisingly good nuances (see screencapture #3). Is there any room for improvement? Yes. In darker footage, for instance, blacks can be better balanced. Image stability is good. The same dirt spots that were present on the previous release are retained, but they are small and I don't fine them distracting. So, even though the film can look fresher and more convincing in high-definition, the current master has good organic qualities. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Light Sleeper Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I don't have any new comments about the quality of the lossless audio track. Obviously, it is the exact same track that was included on the Australian release, but encoded differently. It is very healthy and boasting solid dynamic characteristics. It was probably fully redone when the current master was prepared for StudioCanal. Is there room for improvement? Well, let's put it this way: with such a powerful music score, a brand new remix and Dolby Atmos track will likely produce a few surprises. However, I like the current lossless track a lot.

Light Sleeper Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentary - this archival audio commentary was recorded by Paul Schrader in 2002. There is a small note from the producers of the disc that it is slightly mistimed -- because it was created for the DVD release of Light Sleeper -- but I did not find this problematic. Schrader explains how some of the film's themes relate to his personal life, and discusses its tone and atmosphere, the important role of the narration, the odd (or ironic) humor that is an integral part of the story, the use of music, etc.

• Selected Scene Commentary - Willem Dafoe and Susan Sarandon explain how they were approached by Paul Schrader and offered to play their characters and comment on some of the key themes that define Light Sleeper. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).

• The Guardian Interview with Willem Dafoe - this archival audio interview with Willem Dafoe was conducted by Jonathan Romney at the National Film Theatre in London on November 8, 1998. It covers the actor's background and the progression of his career as well as working methods. In English, not subtitled. (66 min).

• Paul Schrader: The Midlife Movie - in this new video interview, Paul Schrader explains how his work evolved as the film industry in America irreversibly changed around the time he completed Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters and discusses the genesis and production of Light Sleeper. Also, there are some very interesting comments about Michael Been and his contribution to the film. In English, not subtitled. (18 min).

• Q&A Session with Cinematographer Ed Lachman and Paul Schrader - in this archival video session, director Paul Schrader explains how the idea for Light Sleeper came to him and how the film acquired its identity. There are also some interesting comments about a possible relationship between Taxi Driver, American Gigolo, Light Sleeper, and Raging Bull, with the idea being that the main protagonist in all four films is essentially the same person at different stages of his life. In English, not subtitled. (31 min).

• Dear Paul Schrader, Thank You for Light Sleeper - a personal reflection on Light Sleeper by critic and filmmaker Mark Cousins. In English, not subtitled. (11 min).

• Trailer - original trailer for Light Sleeper. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Image Gallery - a gallery with original production and promotional materials for Light Sleeper.

• Booklet - a limited edition exclusive booklet with a new essay by Christina Newland, an archival on-set report by Kevin Jackson, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and technical credits.

Light Sleeper Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I am tempted to say that Light Sleeper is Paul Schrader's most stylish film because Ed Lachman's lensing and Michael Been's atmospheric tunes do some really special things in it. But I find it difficult to discard American Gigolo because there is an equally special retro vibe in it and the quality of its material is even better. On the other hand, Schrader has an old theory that Light Sleeper and American Gigolo are actually part of a tetralogy of films whose main protagonists are essentially the same man at different stages of his life, so this makes it easier not to draw a line between them. This upcoming release is sourced from the same old master that StudioCanal supplied to Australian label Umbrella Entertainment in 2018. The master has some obvious limitations, but I think it is fine. However, I must say that I would have preferred to see Light Sleeper fully restored in 4K rather than The Comfort of Strangers. If you decide to add the release to your collection, please keep in mind that it is Region-B "locked". RECOMMENDED.