The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby Blu-ray Movie Review

His and Hers, too.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman January 20, 2015

Though its title suggests some sort of dark Thriller with possible Horror undertones, The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby is in fact a somber examination of everyday life after tragedy, of two people, once inseparable, who have chosen to go their own way and sort out what remains of who they are and what lies ahead, be that together or apart. The film, written and directed by feature newcomer Ned Benson, is actually an edit of two separate films put together into one. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: "Her" and The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: "Him" have been cut quite heavily and spliced together into one narrative, The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: "Them." It's essentially a two-hour version of two films that themselves run well over three hours combined, and the result is expectedly choppy, absent the sort of detailed progression and dramatic flow the story and characters should enjoy in the individual accounts of their lives. "Them" never leaves the audience feeling left out -- thanks in large part to the film's excellent lead performances -- but there's a tangible emptiness to this cut that's notably hollow and oftentimes questionably paced, even as it shortens lengths but excises key moments and structure that better bring it all together.

Him and her.

"Them" follows the lives of the recently separated Conor Ludlow (James McAvoy) and Eleanor Rigby (Jessica Chastain), a couple that has drifted apart following the death of their infant child. She seeks solace back at home with her father Julian (William Hurt), her mother Mary (Isabelle Huppert), and her sister Katy (Jess Weixler). She also, on her father's insistence and help, enrolls in several classes, including one taught by Julian's friend and colleague, Professor Friedman (Viola Davis). Meanwhile, Conor moves back in with his father Spencer (Ciarán Hinds) and spends time working at a restaurant alongside friend Stuart (Bill Hader).

In its edited, single-entity form, The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby leaves quite a bit to be desired. The film admirably efforts to tell a full, detailed story of life in the wake of loss, which for these individuals isn't only the loss of their child but the loss of one another. Though he appears more willing to reunite than she, the two largely go their separate ways, coping with the hardships and realities of tragedy as best they can, she staying with her family and going back to school, he moving in with his father and working at his restaurant. The character definition often feels as empty as the characters, though in the film's defense that void is, in fact, what defines them in the current state of their lives. The movie's aim, then, is to paint a portrait of a dark, unwelcoming reality that could befall anyone if, and hopefully not when, life-changing negative events take over and drown out all but the most basic spark of humanity, which itself also falls under attack, evident in one character's early unwillingness to move forward. The movie, even in its somewhat mangled state, manages to serve as a mesmerizingly complex look at two wounded souls while feeling timid and scattered at the same time, clearly absent a more world-defining whole that might make what is otherwise a bleak and even somewhat morbid journey through pain worthwhile.

What holds this cut together, more so than story, production, or photography -- the latter of which is rightly limited to little more than point-and-shoot -- are the lead performances from Jessica Chastain and James McAvoy. Their work is deep and nuanced. Their portrayals of broken individuals who are essentially cut off from one another and forced to rebuild apart are superb, with every glimpse, action, and bit of movement wholly convincing of the emptiness that defines them, an emptiness that remains even in their brief moments of escape into something more tangibly exciting than their otherwise dismal states. As the movie, in its "Them" form, anyway, isn't exactly eager to force exposition into the many gaps and deeper crevices of these characters' lives, it's up to the actors to perform that heavy lifting. They complete that task with commendable accuracy and efficiency, essentially building the movie from almost nothing, again in its "Them" state, into a story that, while still incomplete, plays as something much more dramatically robust and realistic than its basic structure, script, and cadence would have the audience believe.

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: "Them" features a digital sheen isn't always attractive, but it offers a crisp and balanced total presentation. The film bookends with some dark, murky, muddy sequences that offer imperfect black levels and pasty skin textures and details, but the image tightens up through its middle stretch. In its brightest and best, the image showcases solidly defined textures across faces, clothes, and general backgrounds, whether fancier and more complex odds and ends inside the restaurant or the Rigby home or some more pedestrian backdrops inside Professor Friedman's classroom. Light softness is evident at times. Colors aren't vibrant but do satisfy, often with a light warm push but flesh tones that range anywhere from pale to rosy. Minor banding and a bit of noise in lower-light scenes are present. On the whole, this is a solid, if not fairly flat and unassuming, presentation.

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: "Them" arrives on Blu-ray with an excellent DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The track makes full use of its available speakers, effortlessly filling the stage with sound effects and music on a consistent basis. Whether little support pieces like creaking wooden stairs or city background din or more prominent rain and thunder effects, the track proves wonderfully active and robust with a nicely transparent and realistic sound presentation. Music is effectively balanced and clear, whether light notes or bass-heavy dance beats heard in chapter 13. Dialogue is firm and even and enjoys some natural reverberation in the lecture hall scenes. This is a welcomingly active and immersive track that easily pulls the listener into the film's locations and moments.

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: "Them" contains an actor Q&A on disc one and two additional films on disc two.

Disc One:

• Q&A with Jessica Chastain & James McAvoy (1080p, 21:28): Moderator Thelma Adams hosts the film's stars, asking them several questions and then fielding several more from the audience. From New York, September 12, 2014.

Disc Two:

• The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: "Her" (1080p, Dolby Digital 5.1, optional English SDH subtitles, 1:45:38).
• The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: "Him" (1080p, Dolby Digital 5.1, optional English SDH subtitles, 1:36:09).

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby's Blu-ray release fortunately allows buyers to experience the entire collection for, essentially, the price of one film. It contains the primary feature "Them" on disc one -- with a lossless soundtrack -- and both "Him" and "Her" on disc two, though both with, sadly, Dolby Digital 5.1 lossy soundtracks rather than the lossless option afforded to "Them." Buyers are encouraged to check out all three cuts, though most will likely find the most satisfaction from the two source films from which "Them" was edited together. In any of its states, The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby isn't for everyone; it's a bit slow and deliberate and dark, and it's more the actors rather than the script that give greater depth to the story. Recommended for admirers of art house cinema only.