5.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Upon graduating from college in 1969, friends Annie, Brenda, Cynthia and Elise vow that they will never lose touch. Nearly three decades later, Cynthia commits suicide after her husband abandons her. Meeting at her funeral, the three remaining friends each confess that their respective spouses have been unfaithful, and set out to wreak revenge. Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton are the trio of women out to take their men for all they can get.
Starring: Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, Diane Keaton, Maggie Smith, Sarah Jessica ParkerComedy | 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 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
English, English SDH, French
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Director Hugh Wilson's (Police Academy) 1996 picture The First Wives Club, based on the 1992 Olivia Goldsmith novel of the same name, seems primed and determined to start a movement through its story, centered on women's empowerment. Whether the film played a major role the advancement of that cause in the late 90s and on through the following decades is for history to decide, but the picture as it is, and as it plays in 2022, is a solid if not somewhat flawed little bit of entertainment workmanship, delivering a satisfying story, if not one populated by trite dramatic arcs and predictable plays, dotted by hit-or-miss humor amidst some lovely performances and a deluge of interesting guest and cameo appearances.
As with most of the "Paramount Presents" line, The First Wives Club looks terrific on Blu-ray. The picture holds to a steady, pleasing natural grain structure. It's elegant and gentle, true to the source and creating a handsome filmic appearance for the home theater experience. Details are naturally sharp and true. The image barely wants for any additional resolution gains, finding practically perfect skin and clothing clarity in every shot. Location details are likewise elegantly presented, including various high-end interior and satisfyingly rich and complex city exteriors. Colors are lively and well saturated. Contrast is neutral, vividness is apparent, and depth and accuracy are first-class. Black levels are beautifully deep, whites are crisp, and skin tones look spot-on natural. The very odd pop and speckle are in evidence, but the image is otherwise free of both source and encode problems. This is a delight of a transfer from Paramount.
Paramount brings The First Wives Club to Blu-ray with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The score is subtle and elegantly detailed, presenting with fluid and wide spacing across the front. Surrounds are sparsely engaged for music or ambience, but the front handles the necessary content with grace, detail, and lifelike engagement. This is primarily a dialogue heavy track, and the spoken word is always presented with natural front center placement, good prioritization, and lifelike clarity. Though it may not be a monstrous, powerhouse sort of track, listeners will appreciate the simple sophistication at work with this one.
This Blu-ray release of The First Wives Club includes an interview and a trailer. No DVD copy is included with purchase. However, Paramount
has included a digital copy voucher. This release is the 32nd in the "Paramount Presents" line and includes the slipcover with fold-open poster artwork.
For its dramatic shortcomings, The First Wives Club is certainly an agreeable watch. It does not overextend its welcome and the lead trio is a treat. Paramount's Blu-ray is disappointingly short on extras, but the video quality is delectable, and the audio is very good, too. Recommended.
Nine to Five | Limited Edition to 3000 - SOLD OUT
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