7.5 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
With the help of a cynical journalist, an elderly Irish woman searches for her long lost son, now an adult. He was stolen from her decades prior during her time in a Magdalene asylum, a Catholic-run institution in which women considered criminal or promiscuous were held against their will.
Starring: Judi Dench, Steve Coogan, Sophie Kennedy Clark, Mare Winningham, Barbara JeffordHistory | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
English SDH, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
UV digital copy
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Title character Philomena's story isn't at all unique, at least not on the surface. Her search for her long-lost son is one undertaken everyday in nations around the world. Modern technology -- digital sleuthing and the abundance of information available to anyone with fingertips (and, sometimes, a credit card) -- has made the search simpler, but with that simplicity comes the very real possibility of resolution, a resolution that may lead either to a brand new world or to the finality of closure. It's now oftentimes more about the search's aftermath than it is the search itself, an aftermath that frequently only opens more avenues while only closing off the road left behind. There's a little bit of everything in Philomena, everything one might expect of a modern search in the digital, open-world age. It's a story of pain, uncertainty, helpfulness, closed doors, secrets, lies, revelations, awkward meetings, integrity, personal resolution, and spiritual settling. It's a beautifully crafted film that tells a simply shaped story of a search not so much for a body but for a soul, not so much a place but a purpose, not so much an ending but rather a beginning.
A journey begins.
Philomena looks marvelous. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray presentation offers two distinct styles, one the predominant clean digital photography representing the modern-day story and the other the significantly grittier and somewhat softer footage capturing the scenes from five decades past. Both look marvelous. The modern-day imagery is noticeably glossy and smooth but not to excess. It nevertheless displays a tremendous amount of detail and faultless clarity. The image reveals complex and intimate facial lines and features with ease and an abundance of definition down at even the most intimate close-up level. Likewise, the frame never betrays its full sharpness and consistent clarity, beautifully showcasing both well-defined country and old town Irish locations. Washington, D.C. exteriors and interiors, too, are presented with sparkling texture and lifelike brilliance. The color palette is consistent and satisfying, a bit warm in some lower-light interiors but showing a true-to-life brilliance in well-lit outdoor scenes and brighter interiors both. Black levels are deep and true, while flesh tones are likewise consistently natural, save for some of the lower-light scenes in which they take on the room's warmth. The grittier 1960s Irish abbey scenes are beautifully presented, a bit soft and almost dreamy but very well defined and consistent with slightly pale but even colors in support. This is a very fine presentation all-around from Anchor Bay.
Philomena's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack is all one might reasonably expect of a dramatic, dialogue-heavy film. Music is well pronounced, playing with an abundance of clarity. It's beautifully spacious, sufficiently robust, and intoxicatingly smooth. It's never aggressive, but a subtle supporting low end gives it a commendable body and sense of completeness. Supportive ambient effects are very well integrated. Whether in the 1960s where listeners will enjoy the varied background din of a busy carnival or in the modern day where a hotel restaurant bustles with activity, the track effortlessly places the listener in the film's key locations. The track never plays with explosive sound effects, but even seemingly minor elements, like creaking floors, are noticeably authentic in presentation. Dialogue plays smoothly and naturally from the center and enjoys a realistically light reverberation within the Lincoln Memorial as heard in chapter eight. This is a wonderful all-around Drama soundtrack from Anchor Bay.
Philomena contains several bonus features. A UV digital copy code is included in the case.
Philomena's story is one of mystery but also one that runs much deeper and more profound than that. It's truly a story of a journey towards understanding, acceptance, and closure. It's about an unlikely bond between two people in the physical realm and a mother's search for a bond with the child she barely knew. It's a much more compelling film as a personal journey rather than a straight mystery. Quality but unobtrusive direction and effortless performances give shape to one of the year's must-see films. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of Philomena features striking video, excellent audio, and several supplements. Highly recommended.
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