Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

The Hollars Blu-ray Movie Review

Their love is deeper than the hollers.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman December 7, 2016

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.

One morning, Sally Hollar (Margo Martingale) collapses in her bathroom. Her husband Don (Richard Jenkins) and son Ron (Sharlto Copley) rush her to the hospital. She's diagnosed with a large brain tumor, one that's been growing for years and that must be removed as soon as possible. Sally's other son John (John Krasinski) leaves behind his pregnant girlfriend Rebecca (Anna Kendrick) to return home to his mother's side. As the family deals with the crisis, the three men must cope with their own personal problems: Don's business is on the verge of bankruptcy, Ron has become an estranged father to his two children, and John reunites with an old flame for whom he may still have feelings.

The Hollars is a movie that demands its audience give it a fair shake. It plays with a grossly unoriginal setup that's alienating at best and borderline insulting at worst, but it matures over time, not so much because the story changes course -- it's terribly linear and largely predictable -- but because the actors grow into the roles and the characters blossom under the pressure, and joy, of truths and togetherness. When every ounce of unoriginal storytelling threatens to bring it down, the cast lifts it up. It's an impressive feat, and Krasinski directs with a knowing subtlety and tenderness that only strive to capture the moment and its emotions. It's quite beautiful in its own way, whether at its most uplifting or heartbreaking.

Thinking about it a little more, maybe that simplicity is a strength. Life isn't a movie. It's not carefully scripted (despite the best intentions to do just that), yet it's not always keeping those living it on their toes and surprising with every sunrise. Sometimes, things just happen, usually expectedly but sometimes unexpectedly. It's how people react, not necessarily prepare, that makes life interesting, that defines its highlight moments and its lowlight times alike. The Hollars is little more than a simple snapshot of one family's life, how sickness brings them together and opens up new avenues that might not have otherwise been closed, but most likely unexplored. It's a movie about finding the best in the worst imaginable situation. For the audience, it's not so much about looking in a mirror, but maybe allowing the movie to plant a little seed in the subconscious for those times when it seems life can't get any worse, a reminder that there's always some silver lining in play. It's just up to people to find it.

The Hollars Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Hollars contains a commentary, two featurettes, and a film festival Q&A. A UV digital copy code is included with purchase.

• Audio Commentary: Director John Krasinski and Actor Margo Martindale deliver a pleasant commentary, one that, much like the movie, is both sweet and light and deep and informative. It covers everything from casting to technical tidbits. It's a wonderful compliment to the movie that fans will enjoy.
• The Family Trust: Inside The Hollars (1080p, 17:44): Sharing memories of assembling the cast, Krasinski's attachment and work as director, the relatable plot, characters and the qualities the cast brought to them, making a couple of key scenes, shooting in Mississippi, and more.
• Persistent Image: Margo Martindale (1080p, 6:03): A closer look at the actress' work on the film, the qualities she brought to the role, her history as a performer, and the joy of working with her.
• LA Film Festival Q&A (1080p, 18:34): Following a screening, LA Film Festival Programmer Jennifer Cochis hosts John Krasinski, Anna Kendrick, and Margo Martindale.
• The Hollars Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 2:21).

The Hollars Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

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.