One False Move Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

One False Move Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov June 28, 2022

Carl Franklin's "One False Move" (1992) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include new program with actor Michael Beach; new program with actress Cynthia Williams; new program with editor Carole Kravetz Aykanian; new audio commentary was recorded by director Shaka King and producer Brandon Harris; vintage trailer; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

It would have been a crime if Carl Franklin’s One False Move had disappeared into oblivion, which apparently was a very real possibility. According to Franklin, it was because of the enormous support of Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert that One False Move received plenty of theatrical exposure and then went on to acquire something of a cult status. Sound strange? Well, it shouldn’t because this is a fate that is shared by a lot of other independent American films from the early ‘90s. For example, John Dahl’s directorial debut, Kill Me Again, popped up on the radar of a lot of casual viewers only after he made The Last Seduction. You may have forgotten, or simply do not know, but Joel and Ethan Coen’s Blood Simple, which came out a little earlier, wasn’t exactly an instant mainstream hit either. It needed support too, and it took some time for casual viewers to discover it. So, even though nowadays many of these films are rightfully regarded as great cult films, when they were first released too many of them struggled mightily to just stay alive.

One False Move is a lot like Blood Simple. It has obvious noirish qualities and seems perfectly happy to promote them, but it is a lot easier to profile simply as a stylish piece of Americana. However, these films work as well as they do for two drastically different reasons. Indeed, Blood Simple has a very wicked sense of humor, and even though it is not a show-off piece it takes great pride in its visual appearance. Also, it is a pretty violent film, but not one that makes you feel uncomfortable. One False Move has a detectable sense of humor too, but it is something of an embellishment that complements its rough personality, which is shaped by its desire to be seen as realistic. The violence in it hits you pretty hard as well because it comes from a place that is very familiar and authentic.

In Los Angeles, a trio of thieves -- Pluto (Michael Beach), Ray Malcolm (Billy Bob Thornton), and his girlfriend Fantasia (Cynda Williams) -- execute a local drug dealer and his visiting friends, steal a large load of cocaine and a bag of money from his vault, and decide to head toward Star City, Arkansas. However, a video camera allows the local authorities to figure out their plan, and shortly after detectives Dud Cole (Jim Metzler) and John McFeely (Earl Billings) phone Chief of Police Dale ‘Hurricane’ Dixon (Bill Paxton) to let him know that they will need his assistance to capture the thieves. The call instantly transforms Dixon into the happiest man in town because he is finally getting an opportunity to deal with a real crime and prove that he is just as good as his colleagues from the big city. When Cole and McFeely appear in Star City, Dixon takes them under his wing and does his best to make them realize that he has the entire situation under control, but instead creates the exact opposite impression. As the thieves approach Star City, Dixon then realizes that his past is about to seriously complicate his work and further compromise his image before the visitors.

Franklin directs with confidence and precision that make One False Move look like a pretty big and expensive project that would have been greenlighted by a major studio. But it was not that kind of a project. It was a pretty small independent film that was done with a limited budget and a great deal of pure enthusiasm.

The actual strength of One False Move, however, is hidden elsewhere. It is in its willingness to impress a mature audience that can recognize important details and nuances. In other words, instead of bombarding its audience with scripted messages and tired cliches about numerous stereotypes, prejudices, and misconceptions One False Move allows its unfiltered story to produce organic contrasts that are quite powerful.

The cast is appropriately loose and the chemistry that materializes before Franklin’s camera is quite special as well. Given the nature of the original material, the end product truly is as good of a film as you could have seen in the theater in the early ‘90s. (Apparently, I.R.S Media, which was the company that produced One False Move, had arranged to send it straight to the home video market. Siskel and Ebert’s very positive coverage changed this plan).

One False Move Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, One False Move arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment.

The master that was used to source this release was definitely prepared quite some time ago. This means that you should expect to see some typical limitations that affect delineation, clarity, and depth. How obvious are these limitations? Well, the good news is that there are no traces of attempts to polish up the master and make it look better than it can, which is usually a perfect recipe for disaster. So, most close-ups typically boast decent to good delineation, while clarity remains pleasing (see screencaptures #2 and 8). Depth could be decent as well, but during daylight and well-lit panoramic shots it is very easy to tell that it should be quite a bit better. Also, there are a few areas with natural light where very particular effects leave the impression that the master has been sharpened. It is not intentionally sharpened, but in these areas the harsher light can leave the impression that there is edge-enhancement. Shadow definition varies and in darker than usual areas are the most problematic ones. Color balance is good, but if in the future the film is remastered in 4K and properly regraded, the primaries will be expanded, the nuances will be better balanced, and the overall dynamic range of the visuals will be improved. Image stability is good. There are no distracting large debris, cuts, damage marks, warped or torn frames to report. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

One False Move Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

I thought that the lossless track handled the film's soundtrack very well. However, given the amount of organic action sounds and noise as well as great music that are incorporated into it, I would not be surprised if a 5.1 track emerges as well. To be perfectly clear, there is nothing wrong with the current LPCM 2.0 track, and I think that it serves the film very well. I am just pointing out that I personally would not be shocked if some party attempted to produce a new 5.1 track to go along with it.

One False Move Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Trailer - a vintage U.S. trailer for One False Move. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Feeding the Soul - in this exclusive new program, Michael Beach recalls how he entered the film business, his audition for the part of Pluto, his interactions with Carl Franklin and other cast members (with some great comments about Billy Bob Thornton), and the production of One False Move. There are some interesting observations about the personality of his character that the type of contrasts he is a part of. In English, not subtitled. (17 min).

• Finding my Voice - in this exclusive new program, actress Cynthia Williams discusses her early years in Chicago and her two auditions for One False Move, her first impressions of Carl Franklin and his directing methods, her character (Cynthia), and what it was like to work with the rest of the cast during the shooting process in Arkansas. Mrs. Williams also explains how One False Move changed her life and made her move to Los Angeles. In English, not subtitled. (16 min).

• Truth and Rhythm - in this new program, editor Carole Kravetz Aykanian recalls how she entered the film business and discusses her professional relationship and work with Carl Franklin on One False Move. In English, not subtitled. (13 min).

• "Hurricane and Fantasia" - this exclusive new video essay was created by critic Chris O'Neil. In English, not subtitled. (25 min).

• Commentary One - this archival audio commentary was recorded by Carl Franklin and initially appeared on the R1 DVD release of One False Move that Sony Pictures produced in 1998. It is a very technical commentary with plenty of factual information about the casting and shooting processes, the scoring of the film, its style and the drama that is at the heart of its story. There are some very interesting comments about the film's promotional and theatrical campaigns as well. If you enjoy the film, find the time to listen to the commentary in its entirety.

• Commentary Two - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by director Shaka King and producer Brandon Harris. The two gentlemen recall their initial experiences with One False Move and then deconstruct the film while highlighting the various reason they believe qualifies it to be described as Carl Franklin's masterpiece.

• Booklet - 60-page illustrated booklet featuring essays by critics Walter Chaw and Pater Galvin.

One False Move Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

One False Move is a very unique piece of Americana with strong noirish overtones that deserves to be placed amongst the very best independent films from the 1990s. In their exclusive new audio commentary, director Shaka King and producer Brandon Harris describe it as "Carl Franklin's masterpiece", and I wholeheartedly agree with their assessment. Franklin's best work is in One False Move, which is why I wanted it to be the film with which he enters the Criterion Collection. This recent release is sourced from an older but mostly decent master, and features a predictably excellent selection of exclusive new and archival bonus features. It is Region-Free and is included in Via Vision Entertainment's After Dark: Neo Noir Cinema Collection One, a six-disc box set. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.