Mr. Selfridge: Season 4 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Mr. Selfridge: Season 4 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 26, 2016

As it enters its final season, “Mr. Selfridge” does what many shows do when facing a creative challenge for its last hurrah: it leaps ahead in time. Nearly a decade has passed since the conclusion of “Season 3,” but there’s plenty of unfinished business to tend to over these remaining ten episodes, with the producers eager to move away from the stuffy period established in the first three seasons of the show, but unwilling to ditch the melodramatic encounters that have plagued the series since its debut. Dramatically, nothing much has changed in “Mr. Selfridge,” with “Season 4” concentrating on reviving old relationships and adding considerable tragedy to the life of the titular character as he deals with aging and business obsolescence, trying to remain youthful and spirited as he’s slowly put out to pasture. The potential is there for an introspective study of a man facing his mortality, laboring to remain in step with the times. But verisimilitude isn’t the way of the show’s writers, who once again delve into exaggerated antics to maintain a “General Hospital” vibe.

No longer the young man with a dream and considerable moxie, Harry Selfridge is beginning to feel his advancing years, relinquishing control of his store to his son and trusted employees as he samples all the Jazz Age has to offer, including gambling, alcohol, and easy women. After experiencing the loss of his wife and betrayal from a loved one, Harry isn’t eager to rejoin reality, with his arc in “Season 4” one of desperation, initially inspired by a near-death experience that hands him a glimpse of his future, which promises a cruel slide into irrelevancy and destitution. The rest of “Season 4” returns to known supporting characters, who are also dealing with seismic life changes, with the building and dismantling of families a key theme of the series, while the years also bring out new challenges to the business. No longer the bright light of London, Selfridge’s is forced to catch up to trends and ideas, with monetary issues and fashion woes tracked throughout the show, while Harry and his business are threatened by the rise of malicious press coverage, threatening to destroy what little remains of the mogul’s reputation.

While “Season 4” strives to separate itself from the rest of the series, it’s really no different, investing in the same bigness of conflict that erases emotional authenticity while inflating the show’s least effective element: Piven. As broad as ever, Piven isn’t convincing with Harry’s crisis of age, while make-up efforts to bring the character into his middle-age aren’t blended enough to secure the illusion, periodically making the department store icon look like a zombie in its early stages of transformation. Thankfully, the supporting cast comes through with a little more gravitas, keeping “Mr. Selfridge” alert with a modicum of restraint as troubles pile up for those connected to Harry.

Episodes

Disc 1

“Episode 1” (45:38)

It’s now 1928, and Harry Selfridge (Jeremy Piven) leaves the daily business of his department store to his employees, concentrating on gambling and nightclubs instead. Returning to his life is Mae (Katherine Kelly), who’s ready to sell her shares in the store, only to be offered a job by Harry. Celebrating his 20th anniversary with Selfridge’s, Mr. Grove (Tom Goodman-Hill) is confronted with domestic change when eldest daughter Meryl (Lottie Tolhurst) requests a position at the store. Kitty’s (Amy Beth Hays) world is rocked by word of sister Connie’s (Sacha Parkinson) pregnancy. And newspaper magnate Wynnstay (Robert Pugh) isn’t interested in Harry’s progressive ways with the suffragette movement, threatening to publish gossip concerning daughter Rosalie’s (Kara Tointon) marriage.

“Episode 2” (45:30)

After suffering a nasty fall at a public event, Harry is hit with a near-death experience, emerging from the darkness with a newfound hunger to prove himself. Mae creates a fashion collection, ready to bring Selfridge’s into the modern age, but her creativity is smothered by Harry’s vices. Kitty’s motherhood dreams are revived with husband Frank (Samuel West). And Harry comes to appreciate business rival Jimmy (Sacha Dhawan), who’s secretly trying to seduce Mae.

“Episode 3” (47:04)

Elizabeth Arden (Madeline Potter) visits Selfridge’s, with her direct managerial style stirring something within Kitty. Harry embarks on a controversial financial partnership with Jimmy, creating anxiety within Gordon (Greg Austin), whose future with the company is threatened. After suffering a terrible fall, Grove reassesses the importance of family during his medical leave. And Rosalie and Violette (Hannah Tointon) grow concerned with their father’s avoidance of family issues and his recent romantic pairing with classless showgirl twins Jenny (Zoe Richards) and Rosie Dolly (Emma Hamilton).

Disc 2

“Episode 4” (46:10)

With the success of “The Selfridge Trust,” Harry and Jimmy reap incredible financial rewards while spreading the brand name around Europe, alienating Gordon. Grove returns to work carrying heavy medical news, seeing the world around him in a brand new light. Harry sinks in deeper with the Dolly Twins and their destructive rivalry. With Kitty’s professional horizons widened by Elizabeth Arden, Frank’s eye turns to colleague Felicity (Joanna Bobin). And A.A. Milne (Daniel Betts) arrives at the store to support a charity event organized by Rosalie, who’s secretly working with Wynnstay to better the world for local orphans.

“Episode 5” (47:05)

With mounting gambling debts, Harry is visited by underworld figure D’Ancona (Vincent Riotta), who demands repayment. Grove is reunited with Mardle (Amanda Abbington), who’s looking to take care of her old lover during his time of need. The Dolly Twins are gifted starring roles in a film shot inside Selfridge’s, but Harry quickly receives evidence of their reckless ways with his money. Kitty is caught between a job offer in New York and the idea of a baby with Frank. And Harry challenges Wynnstay after he prints damaging stories about the Selfridge family, angering the newspaper man.

“Episode 6” (46:45)

D’Ancona destroys a Selfridge’s window display in the night, increasing pressure on Harry to repay his substantial debts. Grove and Mardle plan for a brighter future, offering hope in the darkness. Kitty learns more about Frank’s weaknesses, threatening their marriage. And Mae, arranging her fashion future, rekindles her interest in Victor (Trystan Gravelle) as she distances herself from Jimmy.

“Episode 7” (46:55)

Kitty makes big plans for her life, inspired to leave Selfridge’s. Crippling debt forces Harry to radically rework ownership of the chain, putting Gordon in a difficult position of unemployment, but still eager to please his father. Meryl finds treatment of Tilly (Mimi Ndiweni), the store’s lone black employee, reprehensible, leaning on Grove to fix the situation. And Jimmy’s anger causes unthinkable damage, inspiring him to come up with a new way to join the ranks at Selfridge’s.

Disc 3

“Episode 8” (46:58)

Jimmy and Harry partner in a new store, which carries considerable debt and suspicious accounting practices. The new buy also raises Grove’s curiosity, and he embarks on a private investigation of the situation. And the true treatment of Tilly is finally exposed, with Mae and Grove working to bring the seamstress back into the fold.

“Episode 9” (44:33)

Jimmy learns of supply issues involving the new store, while Harry makes bold plans for an anniversary celebration, not completely aware of the situation. After the store suffers a tremendous personal loss, Crabb (Ron Cook) is left to pick up the pieces, working to realign its staffing needs. And Mardle is put in charge of a family she knows little about, working to meet needs and find her place in the Grove household.

“Episode 10” (45:00)

Jimmy’s troubles are finally exposed through the newspaper, leaving Harry vulnerable and defeated. Shady business practices cause tremendous damage to Selfridge’s, pushing Gordon to take command of the situation, pulling Harry out of his depression. Mardle returns to service at Selfridge’s, with her experience valued during a turbulent time at the store. And Harry’s future as the owner of the store is put in jeopardy after traditional attempts to win over his detractors fails, opening the door to a takeover.

Mr. Selfridge: Season 4 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation preserves the nuances of the HD-shot series, paying particular attention to fine detail, which is especially necessary to pick up on the subtle-to-less-subtle aging make-up. Textures are also welcome on costuming, with sharp, touchable fabrics, and store particulars remain in view, open for inspection. Colors are strong, offering rich primaries for interior decoration and clothing, while skintones are natural. Delineation isn't troublesome, only hitting a few challenging moments during evening adventures. A mild amount of banding is detected.

Mr. Selfridge: Season 4 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix carries securely through the melodramatic ups and downs of the show, paying particular attention to dialogue exchanges, which sound fresh and direct, capturing emotional ranges and performances choices. Scoring is supportive, offering authority as the story heads into the jazz age, offering musical performances that bring out crisp instrumentation. Atmospherics are enveloping, capturing the bustle of the store and street activity.

Mr. Selfridge: Season 4 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "The Making of 'Mr. Selfridge'" (5:57, HD) is a brief overview of "Season 4" creative achievements, with special emphasis on set design, costuming, and hair & make-up.

• "The Rise and Fall of Harry Selfridge" (3:38, HD) chats up cast and crew, who discuss the character's dramatic arc.

• "The Ladies of Selfridge's" (3:36, HD) returns to cast and crew, who celebrate various supporting characters and the women who play them.

• Interview (6:30, HD) sits down with actor Jeremy Piven, who explores character choices and his satisfaction with the show, which he claims was always intended to be only four seasons.

Mr. Selfridge: Season 4 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

As found in the other seasons, "Mr. Selfridge" is always at its best with store politics, sprinting across the minefield of retail as challengers rise to claim London influence, forcing Harry and the gang to dream up new ways to keep the business fresh. Moments of amusement and drama remain in "Season 4," but the production always moves away from tensions to deal with lukewarm personal developments, sold with plenty of flared-nostril acting. If this is indeed the end for "Mr. Selfridge," it concludes without much innovation, content to dish up the same half-baked stories and characters, only with a little less enthusiasm.