6.3 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Teddy is a middle-aged man who has a good wife, kids, friends, a fine job and a girlfriend. You could say that he has everything he wants; but he doesn't. One day he sees a gorgeous woman in a red dress, and gets crazy!!! He must have her...
Starring: Gene Wilder, Kelly LeBrock, Charles Grodin, Joseph Bologna, Judith IveyRomance | 100% |
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 2.0
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 2.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
It’s easy to root for 1984’s “The Woman in Red.” It’s written and directed by Gene Wilder, who also takes the starring role in this remake of the French comedy, “Pardon Mon Affaire.” Wilder has increased the odds of laughter by securing such a fine supporting cast, including Charles Grodin, Joseph Bologna, and Gilda Radner. He’s gifted the world the sight of Kelly LeBrock, who makes her acting debut as the titular object of desire. There are San Francisco locations to enjoy, and a lively soundtrack is largely supported by Stevie Wonder songs, including the once omnipresent smash hit, “I Just Called to Say I Love You.” There’s so much to enjoy here that it hurts the heart to realize the feature doesn’t quite come together as substantially as Wilder envisions. He’s got the tone and the cast, but “The Woman in Red” is something of a mess, with aborted subplots, random encounters, and strange technical choices conspiring to wear down the natural rhythms of the effort. It’s easy to see what Wilder had in mind for the semi-farce, but it’s difficult to watch him fumble scenes and lose concentration on connective tissue.
The AVC encoded image (1.84:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers an older scan of "The Woman in Red." Detail isn't strong, softening Wilder's crinkly face and San Francisco locations, while costumes aren't textured. Colors, including the titular red, are acceptable. Hues aren't outstanding, but they service the movie's comedy and style without disruption, handling period outfits with greatest impact. Skintones are on the natural side, with some overt pinkness at times. Delineation is adequate. Grain is chunky, borderline noisy. Source is hit with a few speckle storms during the viewing experience, but nothing more severe.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix handles the mild mood of "The Woman in Red" without any disruptions. Dialogue exchanges come through confidently, handling arguments and hushed come-ons with satisfactory balance and clarity. Scoring is supportive, and soundtrack selections retain a heavier presence with clean instrumentation. More aggressive urban sound effects and atmospherics are agreeable.
As muddled as it is, "The Woman in Red" is not entirely unappealing. Wilder is out front and center doing his everyman routine, and it works, keeping the character approachable even while he wrestles with dark instincts. LeBrock doesn't do much, but early displays of her underappreciated comic timing are there (explored in full in 1985's "Weird Science"), and she carries the effort's visual interests with confidence. And for fans of PG-13 history, the picture was one of the first out of the gate with the new rating, which once allowed three F-words and brief full frontal nudity for pre-teens to enjoy, albeit ones willing to sit through the misery of a fortysomething man who's forced to choose between a loving wife and a willing model. We should all have these problems, but for Wilder, his best intentions fail him in the long run, as "The Woman in Red" doesn't come together neatly. It's amusing in spots, sexy at times, but its clumsiness tends to numb any lasting appreciation for its achievements.
1984
1981
2012
Warner Archive Collection
1961
1967
Warner Archive Collection
1941
Warner Archive Collection
1973
1987
Warner Archive Collection
1972
1925
1967
1970
1964
1977
2017
2014
1972
1941
1936
2015