Moving On Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.0

Moving On Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman May 16, 2023

Is it possible to make a comedy about rape? That would seem to be the major underlying issue with Moving On, even if, to be fair, the film might be more accurately termed a "dramedy" than an out and out "laff riot". Still, Moving On kind of seems to want to have its gravitas and at least occasional whimsy, too, and that makes for some very odd, at times eyebrow raising, tonal shifts. The basic story is really rather tawdry, with Claire (Jane Fonda) and Evelyn (Lily Tomlin) arriving (separately) to attend the funeral of their long ago college friend Joyce. Claire's emotional reaction to everything seems weirdly out of balance, and when she walks up to Joyce's widower Howard (Malcom McDowell) at a receiving line at the funeral, she announces quite calmly to his face that she's going to kill him. It turns out decades ago Howard sexually assaulted Claire, and she kept the whole thing quiet out of respect for the feelings of her friend Joyce. With Joyce now conveniently (?) out of the way, Claire has decided it's finally time for some well earned comeuppance. Funny stuff, right?

In a way, it's kind of cool that Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin have made something of a later in life career out of working with each other, even if they're admittedly often seeming to play pretty standard versions of "themself", with, once again, Jane essaying the role of a well put together, upper class elder, and Lily taking the part of the more free spirited "hippie-esque" type. There's passing lip service given to supposed backstories here, with some dialogue about the women during their college years, and ostensible biographical tidbits like Evelyn's aborted attempts to make cello playing a career. The film also arguably stuffs in at least a couple of subplots which aren't really well developed and which add to the emotionally jarring tone of the piece, including a potentially touching set of vignettes dealing with a young male student of Evelyn's who is exploring some fluid gender identity. This particular aspect is introduced and then is seemingly headed toward some kind of major development which never quite occurs, instead being just another plot strand that kind of dwindles off into the ether after a while. Richard Roundtree is also on hand as Ralph, a character with some history with Claire who is attempting to rekindle things.

Moving On has some really provocative content, but writer and director Paul Weitz doesn't seem to know how to properly shape things. The film begins with one of its funnier moments, where Joyce is seen talking to someone about all sorts of deep issues like mortality, and where the "reveal" turns out it's her sweet little dog, which she is leaving with her daughter while Claire travels to the funeral. It's an effective scene, but it probably sets the film out with a feeling of lightness that the ultimate subject matter just completely undercuts. That in turn makes later developments like Claire and Evelyn attempting to navigate the roiling waters of permitting for gun ownership seem even more unsettling, with things played for passing laughs rather than either the straight dramatic take or a more cutthroat black comedic approach that might have paid more dividends. Another later "reveal" involving some history between Evelyn and Joyce is played a bit snarkier, which perhaps resonates more effectively.

Still, for anyone who admires Fonda and Tomlin, this is another often rather enjoyable escapade with the two venerable icons, even if they're often far more captivating than the actual material. It's kind of heartening to see two actresses of this age simply finding work, but the fact that they're both still so lively and engaged is a bit uplifting, even when the screenplay is tawdry and turgid. McDowell is pretty reprehensible in a part that doesn't provide him with any salvation "outs", despite Weitz attempting to provide a moment or two where Howard's loss is supposedly made more visceral, something which again seems to be at distinct odds with the emotional (and physical) trauma he inflicted on Claire years ago. It's probably not politically correct anymore to comment on an actress' physical appearance, but I will throw caution to the wind and say both Fonda and Tomlin look fantastic, especially when compared to the pretty mottled McDowell, who has definitely not aged very gracefully.

The upshot of everything is probably too sanguine in a way, and yet even this element has some completely disjunctive tonal aspects, though in this particular case Weitz manages to find some balance, perhaps aided and abetted by an admittedly very funny interchange with a more or less passerby who is involved in Howard's ultimate fate. The film's title has any number of meanings which are tied both to Claire's attack but also to Evelyn coming to grips with the vagaries of aging, but Weitz may be better at documenting a journey rather than a destination.

Moving On Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Moving On is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Lionsgate Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.38:1. While the closing credits don't offer any camera makes or models, they do offer two rather sizable credits for one Otto Nemenz, who evidently runs a camera supply facility in Culver City. The IMDb does list the Arri Alexa, however, and I'm assuming the DI was finished at 2K. This is an appealing looking transfer that benefits from a lot of well lit, frequently outdoor, material where the palette pops naturally and detail levels tend to be nicely precise and well rendered. Textures on some of the rather thick woven fabrics worn by both of the main female characters offer some good fine detail levels as well. Shadow detail in some passing dimly lit interior scenes can be a little lackluster.

Moving On Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Moving On features a workmanlike DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that derives a lot of its surround activity from either ambient environmental sounds in the outside scenes or a number of fun source cues which underscore things. A number of vignettes involving groups of people also offer a bit of spill into the side and rear channels with regard to background clamor. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English and Spanish subtitles are available.

Moving On Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Photo Gallery (HD; 1:39)


• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 2:02)

Additionally, a digital copy is included and packaging features a slipcover.

Moving On Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda evidently like working together a lot, as the relatively recent Blu-ray release of 80 for Brady among any number of other properties proves quite handily. Neither of these iconic performers is really asked to "stretch" very much here, though some of the subtext of loss and anguish provides them with at least some passing opportunities for emoting. I just wish Moving On had either been played a bit more straight and narrow, so to speak, or alternatively had gone completely gonzo into pitch black comedy territory. As it stands, the film has some rather pointed content which is never completely capitalized on. Technical merits are solid for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.