7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Summertime. A cruising spot for men, tucked away on the shores of a lake. Franck falls in love with Michel. An attractive, potent and lethally dangerous man. Franck knows this, but wants to live out his passion anyway.
Starring: Pierre Deladonchamps, Christophe Paou, Patrick d'Assumção, Jérôme Chappatte, Mathieu VervischForeign | 100% |
Erotic | 51% |
Psychological thriller | 17% |
Crime | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
French: Dolby Digital 2.0
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
“Stranger by the Lake” is mysterious, sensual, and disarmingly casual. The latest from writer/director Alain Guiraudie, the feature is a splendidly crafted effort that sneaks up on the viewer, lulling them into a state of comfort with the characters before gradually introducing elements of murder and suspicion. It works due to Guiraudie’s moviemaking control and patience, while the cast submits exceptionally interior work, projecting emotional concerns while working through the subtleties of small talk. Although it’s a repetitive film, it winds with purpose, slowly ratcheting up the tension in a confident manner that keeps the picture riveting, even when it seems to have no direction at all.
The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Stranger by the Lake" retains the picture's naturalistic qualities with crisp definition of frame elements, making fine detail quite appealing. It's not just the parade of flesh that stands out about the viewing experience, but the clarity of beachside life, with water and wild activities emerging with satisfactory textures, helping to clarify the sense of distance the director often employs to open up the space. Colors are true, with fresh skintones and distinct greenery, while the occasional use of costuming adds some variation with bolder hues. Black levels are tested in full, with extensive evening interactions (often lit only with automobile lights) that reveal some minor crush issues, but overall stability remains communicative, preserving mystery. It's a clean image, revealing the limits of the HD cinematography, and an expressive one.
The 5.1 Dolby Digital sound mix provides only a lossy reach for the Blu-ray listening experience, and while there's some disappointment with the discovery, this isn't exactly an effort working with an intricate design. The primary focus remains with dialogue exchanges, isolating the calm conversations between the characters, with only a few escalations in emphasis that fail to reach any distortive highs. There's not much in the way of music, leaving the track to thick atmospherics, with sounds of wind, water, and travel by foot carrying a welcome presence and position, adding to the feature's mood and sense of suspense, with stillness valued by the mix. There's really nothing included here that pushes out into the surrounds, missing the potential for a truly immersive event, but simplicity is the star of the show, and the track respects the subtlety and slow burn mentality of the filmmaking,
"Stranger by the Lake" is a well-made, atmospheric picture, and while its initial moments suggests a glacial quality that might interfere with critical points of uncertainty and vulnerability, the film submits a magnificent escalation of concern and characterization that supports the entire effort. The long road to a climatic payoff is well worth the wait.
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