Scalene Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		2.5

Scalene Blu-ray Movie Review

Rashomemento.

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman May 16, 2013

Scalene takes a dash of Akira Kurosawa’s legendary Rashômon and mixes it into some of the structural complexity of Christopher Nolan’s modern masterpiece Memento, but instead of a heady soufflé the results here are curiously flat and more than a bit unseemly. Margo Martindale (Justified) portrays harried middle aged mother Janice, whose son Jakob (Adam Scarimbolo) is severely brain damaged after having sniffed glue as a high schooler. Janice hires comely young caretaker Paige (Hanna Hall, Forrest Gump) to help out with Jakob, leading to disastrous consequences. This précis only hints at the convoluted method that Scalene’s writer-director Zack Parker employs to tell this story, however. We get three different points of view (a la Rashômon, one for each of the main characters, and further complicating matters is that Janice’s story runs backward, a la Memento.

The film is anchored by a rather nicely nuanced performance by Martindale, who manages to toe a very fine line that is equal parts exasperation, rage and panic. Hall is also excellent as Paige, especially once her story starts unfolding and the reason for the alarming opening scene—which finds Janice and Paige fighting each other to survive—finally has at least a bit of an explanation. However, it’s that very explanation which is Scalene’s most serious undoing. Paige’s motives for doing what she ultimately does are (probably) noble, but how she goes about “helping” Jakob stretch credulity to the breaking point.

Scalene Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Scalene is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Breaking Glass Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.33:1. This digitally shot feature looks rather good in high definition, with accurate looking color, generally consistent contrast and excellent fine object detail, especially in the film's many extreme close ups. This was obviously done on a very small budget, and some of the natural lighting schemes don't offer sufficient shadow detail.

Scalene Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Scalene only has two lossy audio options, Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0. These suffice well enough, for the most part, delivering dialogue and score (which, like the film itself, owes a tip of the hat to Vertigo) with good if unremarkable fidelity. The film has a surprising amount of dynamic range.

Scalene Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Perceiving Reality: The Making of Scalene (480i; 3:29:33). Can you say "overkill"?


• Featurette From Dances With Films (World Premiere/Q&A/Awards Ceremony) (1080p; 15:18)


• Photo Gallery (1080p; 1:20)


• Teaser Trailer (720p; 1:08)


• Theatrical Trailer (720p; 1:52)

Scalene Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Scalene is an interesting effort, but its conceit is ill founded and doesn't serve the film in any discernable way, at least with regard to the backwards time flow of Janice's story. The performances are the best thing here, but as a film, Scalene, like its referent triangle, is uneven.