The Optimists Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		2.5
Audio		2.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		2.5

The Optimists Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 7, 2017

Imagine if Mike Leigh directed a Disney movie, and that’s close to the viewing experience provided by 1973’s “The Optimists.” The production wins points for its interest in the bleak corners of life, trying to live up to its titular promise with a sincere take on relationships and broken dreams, watching director Anthony Simmons laboring to make some magic with lead Peter Sellers, asking him to lift considerable dramatic weight. It’s difficult to label “The Optimists” as an all-ages charmer, but Simmons certainly wants it to be, aiming to achieve a bittersweet tone of connection in a hauntingly unforgiving world.

Sellers stars as Sam, an elderly stage performer who’s fallen on hard times, reduced to busking with his loyal dog to keep from starving. Sam meets Liz (Donna Mullane) and Mark (John Chaffey), two kids frustrated with their dismal home life, caught between the realities of poverty and the lofty dreams of their neglectful parents. “The Optimists” follows their burgeoning relationship, tracking its bursts of enthusiasm and free falls of reality, with Sam becoming a parental figure to the children, sharing his view of the world. It’s not an especially sweet picture, but Sellers commits as expected, delivering a fine performance that supports the story’s themes while indulging his interests in thespian experimentation and character immersion.

The Optimists Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation isn't a fresh scan, and it doesn't do much for cinematographic essentials. Detail isn't strong, lacking sharpness throughout, softening costumes and facial particulars. Colors are faded but not completely extinguished, helped along by louder period hues and street signage, and skintones look flat. Delineation is mediocre, showing signs of solidification during the last act of the movie. Grain is chunkier. Source isn't badly worn, but speckling is sustained, along with some mild scratches.

The Optimists Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD sound mix is seriously hampered by muffling issues, which fluctuate in intensity during the listening experience. True clarity is never established, making thick accents periodically difficult to understand. Volume riding is also necessary to bring the track up to a workable level. Scoring also suffers from muddiness, lacking encouraging instrumentation. Atmospherics are feeble at best.

The Optimists Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on this disc.

The Optimists Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Optimists" doesn't want to bum the audience out, but it's unavoidable. The tale is set in a garbage wasteland, with refuse occasionally on fire, adding a post-apocalyptic look, and the kids actually seem better off on their own, away from their distracted, disappointed parents. However, Simmons is working hard to balance misery with reasonably joyful discoveries, keeping the feature compelling, just not always believable.