Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

Rough Cut Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman July 16, 2022

Rough Cut had a rough go of it in its production, featuring a veritable merry-go-round of writers and directors attached to the film and working on it in some form or another. The film's legacy is more one of infamy than fame, well known in cinema circles for the problems it encountered on the way from concept to screen. The end product is certainly a watchable picture, a testament in large part of Burt Reynolds' screen presence and charisma being able to salvage something from a sinking ship, but there is no mistaking that the film as it was finally released fails to live up to the obvious potential within the framework narrative that winds up on the screen.

Jack Rhodes (Reynolds) is a jewel thief who meets his match when he meets beautiful thief Gillian Bromley (Lesley-Anne Down). The two build a romantic rapport as they feel one another out. It turns out, however, that Gillian is actually being coerced by Scotland Yard's Chief Inspector, Cyril Willis (David Niven), to help them bring in Jack before he retires from the jewel thieving game. As the two navigate their burgeoning relationship defined by their shared love for the thrill of the hunt, they find themselves on the cusp of an all-time score. What new wrinkles will be revealed as the story unfolds?

Though the various production predicaments certainly hinder the film, the end product is not entirely atrocious. While the picture may be disjointed, lacking depth, interest, and real distinguishing and defining characteristics, audiences can have a decent time with this one as the core story unfolds and a few plot twists sneak in along the way to keep the audience on its toes. There's not much else going on worthy of much praise. The story dynamics never find much of a distinguishable voice; there's not much personality here, probably due in large part to the fact that the writer's seat and the director's chair were never filled with enough regularity to keep them warm. The result is a film that is coherent but not necessarily viable as a top of the line Hollywood production, a film that might induce a few smiles but also several moans and groans as the lack of cohesion, direction, and purpose become apparent.

Even the lead romantic chemistry is left wanting. While Reynolds and Down bring individual spark, life, and good looks to the screen, there's not a real sense of personal connection; both of them refuse to go through the motions, but neither of them can elevate the romantic tension and ultimate connection with all that much in the way of convincing clarity and heart. Reynolds doesn't get out of his comfort zone, yet even still his charm, charisma, and screen presence are enough to elevate the picture to a point that it's more or less an agreeable venture. The film flirts with frustration, however, even under his towering presence, as the actor simply cannot do much with the part beyond look and sound like Burt Reynolds, which is just enough to make most any movie of his at minimum a passable experience.

Rough Cut Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Rough Cut looks brilliant. The picture teeters on perfection, revealing superb blacks right out of the gate during a nighttime party intro. The transition to the opening tile sequence sees a mild reduction in black depth (and overall clarity) but afterward the film proper looks incredible in this area, holding excellent black accuracy and shadow detail. Additional colors, like some garbage trucks at the 27-minute mark, various examples of clothes, high end furnishings, and the like, are splendidly honest and pleasant. Whites are crisp (though the opening titles are very creamy and flat) and skin tones look to be right on the money. Detail is excellent. Facial features are tack-sharp and clothing is likewise naturally revealing Environments are crisp and intricate details are revealed for all they're worth in the original film structure and the Blu-ray resolution. A fine layer of attractive natural grain is also present, helping to bridge that seamless gap from movie theater to home theater. There are a few pops and speckles here and there which represent the only real downside to the image. There are no encode issues to report. Fans are going to be delighted!

Rough Cut Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Paramount brings Rough Cut to Blu-ray with a perfectly proper DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless soundtrack. The film's sonic needs are fairly static and uninteresting. This is a dialogue driven film with little more beyond basic supportive effects, so the two-channel construct suits the material just fine. The dialogue is very clear and robust with lifelike cadence and natural front-center placement; listeners won't realize that the center channel is not active. Music plays with good stretch and fullness. Clarity is very good as it finds its way to the farthest reaches of the stage's front side. Supportive atmospheric cues are nicely integrated, lacking, of course, immersion but doing well to set the scene for width and clarity alike. That's about all there is to this one. It's a very good track that thrives both under the limits of the two-channel structure and the rather tame original sound design work.

Rough Cut Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Rough Cut contains one extra. Filmmaker Focus: Leonard Maltin on 'Rough Cut' (1080p, 6:58) features the acclaimed filmmaker discussing Reynolds' stardom and influence on the film landscape, script problems and the revolving door of crew, the film's endings, Lesley-Anne Down's work on the film, the chemistry between the leads, David Niven's role, the film's title, the end result, and more. This release is the 33rd in the "Paramount Presents" line and includes the slipcover with fold-open poster artwork. A digital copy code is also included with purchase.

Rough Cut Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Rough Cut is more of an affable curiosity than it is a good film. Its legacy is one of a revolving door of writers and directors and the finished product certainly reflects a lack of narrative cohesion and structural vision, but credit Reynolds, even lacking chemistry with his co-star, for squeezing just enough charm and screen presence to make the movie a worthwhile watch, even if audiences will be left lamenting what might have been. This "Paramount Presents" line release includes one extra, but the video and audio presentations are very good. Worth a look.