6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
The film follows John Hollar, a struggling New York City graphic novelist, who is forced to return home when his mother Sally is diagnosed with a brain tumor. Back in the house he grew up in, John is immediately swept up in the problems of his dysfunctional family, high school rival, and an overeager ex-girlfriend as he faces impending fatherhood with his girlfriend Rebecca (Anna Kendrick) in New York.
Starring: John Krasinski, Anna Kendrick, Sharlto Copley, Charlie Day, Richard JenkinsDrama | Insignificant |
Family | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.84:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English, English SDH, Japanese, Mandarin (Traditional)
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
UV digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Truth be told, Director John Krasinski's The Hollars isn't a very original film. It's more Hallmark movie of the week than it is fiercely original Indie, separated more by a bigger budget and more experienced cast than story elements and thematic machinations. But those Hallmark movies are usually a bit better than they get credit for, and so too is The Hollars. What it lacks in originality is only a hindrance on the synopsis blurb. The film is very well done, tender and touching and very much real in it depiction of family, togetherness, beginnings, and ends. It's a snapshot cycle of life movie that's as joyous as it is sorrowful, unafraid of bunching up the big moments and sending its characters, and its audience, on the proverbial emotional roller coaster that, even after all these films that cover all these same bases, works thanks to relatable characters and a genuine heart.
The Hollars arrives on Blu-ray sourced from a digital shoot, and the results are by-and-large spectacular. It's not a particularly visually robust movie. It's simple in location and presentation, but Sony's 1080p transfer squeezes all it can from the material. Image clarity is terrific. It's universally sharp and naturally so. Textural nuance is obvious throughout, whether the assortment of clothing seen throughout the film or fine skin details, including stubble on a freshly shaved head. Color saturation is true and accurate, finding a pleasing neutrality in every location, whether bland hospital rooms offset by various clothing colors or enjoyably rich exteriors that find beautiful presentations of greens on grasses and corn stalks in chapter six. Black levels are fine and flesh tones are neutral. Noise is a minimal concern and no other issues like banding or aliasing are readily evident. This is a fine looking presentation from Sony.
The Hollars' DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack is reflective of the movie's rather straightforward and meager needs. It's almost entirely a dialogue film with small bursts of music and ambience filling in some gaps and key moments. Small but critical hospital room effects, like monitor beeps and such, are presented with light, but quality, background detail. Extremely fine shuffle and din out in the hallways is also occasionally audible. Music is generally light with one moment of more aggressive width and energy when Sally is wheeled to surgery about an hour into the movie. There's a nice stretch to to the sides and excellent instrumental clarity. Dialogue is clear and well defined, center focused and well prioritized. A small bit of natural reverberation occurs inside a church in chapter 14.
The Hollars contains a commentary, two featurettes, and a film festival Q&A. A UV digital copy code is included with purchase.
The Hollars doesn't scream out "original," but it's saved by a seriously talented cast that brings a genuine sincerity to the characters and real emotion to their circumstances. It's a film of stark emotional contrasts, a tearjerker but at the same time uplifting and easy to appreciate for its streamlined technical construction. Audiences will feel like a part of the family when it's all said and done; a movie like this can't hope to accomplish anything more. Sony's Blu-ray is very good as well, featuring pristine video, quality audio, and a few good extras. Highly recommended.
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