Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.0

When the Bough Breaks Blu-ray Movie Review

Whose Hand Will Rock the Cradle?

Reviewed by Martin Liebman December 22, 2016

There are a lot out there that can say the same, but add another to the list. When the Bough Breaks falls squarely into the crowded middle-of-the-pack field where many go to flounder amongst the flood of forgotten flicks. From Director Jon Cassar (Forsaken), Writer Jack Olsen, and Actor Morris Chestnut (The Perfect Guy), When the Bough Breaks recycles content without any pretenses or plot twists, plowing through a perfectly planned, and patently dull, premise that's been seen in other movies before that focus on a family that's threatened to be torn apart by good intentions gone terribly wrong. The movie has nothing constructive to say or explore, simply churning out a flat and linear narrative that plays out as predicted after reading a sentence-long summary. But the film plays with a grounded, levelheaded approach, never trying to make itself into something bigger or better than it is or needs to be. Kudos for staying at its level and making the best of its lot in life, which only begs the question, does a movie like this really need to be made in the first place?

Married couple John (Morris Chestnut) and Laura (Regina Hall) have it all -- great careers, a beautiful home, bountiful love -- except one thing: a child. They've been unable to conceive, and as a last-ditch effort they've decided to find a surrogate mother for the child, using his sperm and her egg implanted into another woman. They find the girl in Anna (Jaz Sinclair), a beautiful young lady who is more than thrilled at the prospect of bearing the couple's child. She's welcomed into their lives and home with open arms, but things get a little dangerous when Anna's boyfriend Mike (Theo Rossi) beats her and endangers the child. Turns out, though, that he's working Anna over in hopes of milking money from the family and eventually selling the baby to a high bidder. Meanwhile, Anna puts her own scheme in motion as she begins falling hopelessly in love with John.

It's not at all difficult to predict where the movie will head from there. It's unimaginative practically to a fault, transparent not only in its broad stroke narrative structure but its finer point character details, at least what exists of fine-point character details beyond the rather generic façade that dominates. Characters are uncreative to the point that it doesn't even matter who they are or what they do. They're defined by basic actions and relationships, and everything else -- right down to names and occupations -- are merely conveniences that don't matter to the story. And on those rare occasions when they do -- John's relationship with Anna eventually lands him in some hot water at work -- it's more a product of the paint by numbers script than it is something more organic in how the characters are constructed, their world shaped, or their story told. Meh. It's hard to criticize the movie too much, though. It's very basic stuff, but as noted above its knows its limits and plays to its core, never trying to rework itself into something it is not, and could never be.

If nothing else, When the Bough Breaks is well put together from a technical perspective, though making that, more or less, the headline positive in a review isn't exactly high praise for the movie. Still, the professional sheen, the care and attention to detail that's gone into ensuring a quality product is much appreciated, even if the nuts-and-bolts story stuff leaves much to be desired. It's been photographed with care and professional construction and composition, boasting some interesting shots of contrast and juxtaposition that do a fair job of both highlighting the relationship ups and downs and sharp edges and uncertainties between characters while also helping to keep the audience engaged, at least on the right side of the brain. Performances are good. Morris Chestnut again works in a movie well below his skill level but he gives it his all, anyway, handling the duty of suave and cool husband and man caught in the middle of love, lust, doubt, fear, and the life of his unborn child with a realistic vigor and balance that gives the movie at least a semblance of the depth it otherwise lacks. Jaz Sinclair impresses as Anna, going through the usual psychotic character permutations but handling it all very well, from the core persona to nailing a specific glance or body language to help sell a scene and its emotion. Theo Rossi is terrific as her manipulative boyfriend; he looks devilish and acts it, too, enhancing the underlying sense of danger that builds throughout the movie, even if it's not all that shocking at its core.

When the Bough Breaks Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

When the Bough Breaks features an attractive 1080p transfer sourced from a digital shoot. The image epitomizes the qualities modern digital brings to the table. It's super clean but never glossy or flat. Details are precise and complex, notably the very fine intimate pores and scars on Morris Chestnut's face and the high-dollar clothes he wears. Suits reveal extremely fine stitching and fabric qualities and his neckties are plush and tactile. Environments, mostly around John's and Laura's home, are clear and complex, showcasing the fine appointments for all they're worth. Colors are brilliant. Red dresses, differently colored neckties, home furnishings, everything in the movie is vibrant yet impeccably balanced. Nighttime and shadowy black levels hold beautifully deep and flesh tones appear true. The image shows no source or encode flaws, not even a hint of banding or a trace of noise. This is a top-tier 1080p presentation from Sony.

When the Bough Breaks Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Not much is required of When the Bough Breaks' DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack, but Sony's presentation is proficient in delivering the movie's modest sonic needs. It's both musically and atmospherically front-heavy to begin, but it finds its way through the rears as the film progresses. Musical richness and fidelity are excellent. Much of the score is simple and without much use of a penetrating low end pronouncement; the more airy notes float through the stage's width and, a bit later on, depth with fluid, natural ease. Atmospherics are largely limited to rain and thunder. Driving rain is appreciably spiky and soaks the stage with a bit more emphasis in the front than the back, while thunder booms with robust definition and rolls through the entire stage with effortlessly imaging. Dialogue drives the majority of the film, and it's clear and detailed with consistent prioritization and lifelike definition.

When the Bough Breaks Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

When the Bough Breaks contains a commentary, deleted scenes, and a featurette. A UV digital copy code is included with purchase.

• Audio Commentary: Director Jon Cassar, Writer Jack Olsen, & Actress Jaz Sinclair deliver a good commentary, covering the basics: story origins and the writing process, fleshing out the characters, plot specifics, piecing the movie together, shooting in New Orleans, character motivations, dramatic tension, and more.
• The Haves & The Have Nots (1080p, 7:48): A quick run-through of the plot, characters, and performances.
• Deleted Scenes (1080p, 17:59 total runtime): Sexy Chef, John Needs Doctors Advice, "Maybe Baby" John/Laura Love Scene, Party Preparation, Anna Seduces John, Anna Has a New Boyfriend, Driving Anna Home, Anna Hides Her Undies, and Girls Talk Future Plans.

When the Bough Breaks Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

When the Bough Breaks is a basic cut-and-paste Domestic Thriller that brings nothing at all new to the table, and its watered-down PG-13 rating further leaves it largely incapable of playing out the crude assembly line pieces in its arsenal with as much rawness and emotion as they demand. Still, for a movie that practically epitomizes "generic," it's well made and strongly acted from all four primaries. It's not a terrible watch but certainly not an earth shaking one or something that will rewrite what one thinks of modern cinema. It's simply modest and well made entertainment that's more passable than a lot of the competing garbage on the market. Sony's Blu-ray is fine, a little thin on supplements (but, really, what more is there to say about a movie like this?) but boasting fantastic video and strong audio. Worth a rental on a slow weekend.