6.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Bradley Cooper, Dennis Quaid and Zoe Saldana star in this romantic drama following three interconnected storylines told through an author's attempt to overcome his regrets. Popular writer Clayton Hammond (Quaid) gives a reading of his new novel 'The Words', which tells the story of struggling author Rory Jansen (Cooper) and his wife Dora (Saldana). After his first book is rejected, Rory decides to pass off a manuscript by an anonymous writer, inadvertantly given to him by Dora, as his own. The book is a success but Rory later meets the man who wrote it (Jeremy Irons). Rory decides to come clean about the origin of the novel, aware that the consequences could be damaging to both his professional and personal life. After the reading, Clayton is interviewed by student Daniella (Olivia Wilde), who discovers how the author's own mistakes are linked to his novel.
Starring: Olivia Wilde, Zoe Saldańa, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Irons, Dennis QuaidThriller | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
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
English, English SDH, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
UV digital copy
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
It was just supposed to be a little book.
In the beginning, he created the story and the potential. And it was good. Later, someone else stole it. That was good, too. At least for a time.
Writers/Directors Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal's The Words tells a simple and oftentimes absorbing tale of one man's journey through
ill-gotten
success in the literary world and the consequences of his theft of another's left-behind intellectual property -- and deeply-held emotions -- for his own
benefit. It's a very well-made and highly respectable film, one of fine craftsmanship, an engaging tale, and splendid acting. It's much of what a good
Drama need be, building characters and exploring ideas and pulling the audience in not through an excess of violence or shock but through honest
storytelling, a relatable plot, and a convincing narrative with themes of gain and loss well beyond the superficial world of monetary success.
Unfortunately, the film leaves much of its core buried and underdeveloped; yet the potential and the quality of what's here makes this that rare
instance of a film
overcoming its missteps on sheer interest of plot. Still, it's easy to see after a watch that The Words could have said so much more.
The discovery of a lifetime.
The Words looks gorgeous on Blu-ray. Sony's got another winner, this one a very natural, film-like 1080p, 1.85:1-framed transfer. To be sure, the movie can go a little dark at times and flesh tones can veer ever-so-slightly to the warmer end of the spectrum, but otherwise this one's first-class all the way. Details are naturally sharp and very clear across the entire frame, revealing tremendous facial textures: intricate pores, nuanced lines, each strand of facial hair. Likewise, articles of clothing are fully revealed down to the last little stitch as seen in appropriately up-close shots. Colors are wonderful, whether park greens or multicolored flowers in a greenhouse, the image offers beautiful hues that appear often striking even under the lower brightness that's often prevalent throughout. Blacks are rock-solid, too, yielding a natural, consistent level of detail in lower-light conditions. Light grain remains, and spikes a bit in the slightly grittier, almost dreamlike flashbacks to the post-war era. Overall, a brilliant transfer from Sony.
The Words delivers a subtle and nuanced but effective and technically sound DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The track delivers light music with evident high-end clarity and natural spacing. Modest sound effects define various scenes; whether moderate applause to open the film or pleasing ambiance as heard during an extended dialogue scene between two characters in a park, Sony's track delivers all the necessary ingredients with attention to balance, volume, placement, and immersion. A rather heavy boom of thunder later in the film is felt as much as it is heard; it's a very natural and highly satisfying little sound effect that uses the low end to absolute perfection. Otherwise, this track is made primarily of dialogue elements. Light reverberation is heard during Dennis Quaid's speaking engagements, and standard dialogue plays clearly and evenly through the center. Though not a dynamic track, this one is commendable for its balance and authenticity.
The Words contains four featurettes (three of them very brief), previews, and a UV digital copy voucher. Also included is the film's theatrical
(1:37:09) and extended
(1:42:41) cuts.
The Words promises a far, far better tale than the movie delivers. It's a very well-made picture centered on a captivating story of hurt and betrayal and the good and the bad that comes from life's experiences, chance, honesty, and deception. Unfortunately, the movie never quite digs deep enough to more fully explore the character intricacies, the emotional hazards that shape the various dramas, or the lie that ignites the story. It's all very superficial, but The Words does the superficial as well as can be done. It's a very good movie, not quite where it should be, but worth a watch nonetheless. Sony's Blu-ray release of The Words features exceptional video, fine audio, and a few very brief and artificial extras. Definitely worth a rental and perhaps a purchase when the price drops to a bargain level.
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