7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.2 |
Lou Andreas Sand, a once famous model, recalls her past as she tries to make success in the modeling world of New York...
Starring: Faye Dunaway, Barry Primus, Viveca Lindfors, Barry Morse, Roy ScheiderDrama | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
French
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region B (locked)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Screened at the 'Classics' section of the Cannes Film Festival, Jerry Schatzberg's "Puzzle of a Downfall Child" (1970) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French distributors Carlotta Films. The supplemental features on the disc include a new theatrical trailer; video interview with French film critic Pierre Rissient; and a video interview with director Jerry Schatzberg conducted by French film critic and Positif editor Michel Ciment. In English, with optional French subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
Lou Andreas Sand
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Jerry Schatzberg's Puzzle of a Downfall Child arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French distributors Carlotta Films.
Recently restored and screened in the 'Classics' section of the Cannes Film Festival, Puzzle of a Downfall Child looks lovely on Blu-ray. Generally speaking, most close-ups convey very pleasing depth (see screencapture #3) and good clarity. Some of the panoramic shots, such as the ones seen in the very beginning of the film, have slightly distorted contrast levels and/or manipulated colors, but these are intended visual enhancements (see the bits with the Chinese fisherman). The flashbacks usually have fluctuating density levels as well. Some extremely light noise corrections have been applied, but the grain structure is very much intact. Unsurprisingly, the film has a pleasing organic look. Additionally, there are no traces of problematic post-production sharpening, though there are a couple of shooting sessions with plenty of bright lights that create the illusion that some sharpening might have been performed (see screencapture #13). Needless to say, the effect is created by the powerful projectors, and as the rest of the screencaptures convey edge-enhancement is not an issue of concern. There are no aliasing or banding patterns to report in this review either. To sum it all up, Puzzle of a Downfall Child is a beautiful and very elegant film that has been given a new life by French distributors Carlotta Films. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0. For the record, Carlotta Films have provided optional French subtitles for the main feature.
Michael Small's soundtrack has a very important role in the film -- it basically separates Lou's dreams from reality. Most of the time some of the melodies also reflect specific moods and feelings. The loseless audio track allows the soundtrack to breathe, and elsewhere, where music is absent, opens up the film quite well. Its overall dynamic amplitude, however, is rather limited. The dialog is very crisp, clean, always stable and easy to follow. There are no sync issues or problematic dropouts and background hiss is not an issue of concern.
French distributors Carlotta Films deserve a lot of credit for giving Jerry Schatzberg's directorial debut, Puzzle of a Downfall Child, a new life. I loved the film. Faye Dunaway is spectacular as Lou Andreas Sand, while Adam Holender's lensing is superb. Why the film received negative reviews in America in 1970 is a real mystery. Carlotta Films' presentation of the film is very good. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
(Still not reliable for this title)
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