Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		1.0
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 7, 2016

Between work on “Little Big Man” and “Straw Dogs,” Dustin Hoffman made time to star in 1971’s “Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?” A forgotten entry in the star’s colorful filmography, the feature breaks up Hoffman’s run of successes, watching the restless thespian climb into an indulgent, unbearable mess of a movie, trying to win audiences over with his commitment to character. “Harry Kellerman” is borderline unwatchable to anyone with limited interest in countercultural cinema, with its experimental interests and stream-of-consciousness storytelling reserved strictly for those who know what they’re getting into.

Directed by Ulu Grosbard, “Harry Kellerman” tracks the gradual destruction of a songwriter on the precipice of suicide, about to be completely digested by his depression. He’s in a reflective mood, trying to make sense of his life choices and failed relationships, working through past lovers, parents, and memories to decode mistakes, trying to gain some sense of illumination. It’s a vanity picture for Hoffman, created exclusively for the actor to expand his range, but it’s self-aware work, trying too hard with too little. Neuroses are plump here, but Grosbard is lost, unable to create an understanding of personal reflection. It’s all show and next to no tell. For this type of non-sequitur romp, seek out the Monkees movie, “Head,” instead.

Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers only a slight HD boost for the BD debut of "Harry Kellerman." Detail isn't strong but it's perceptible, pulling out the artificiality of Hoffman's make-up work, and locations are generally textured. Colors are on the faded side, but more insistent hues retain snap, with era-specific clothing tending to provide the most vivid push of primaries. Delineation is acceptable but rarely remarkable. Source shows its age, but overt damage isn't present. Banding periodically appears.

Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix struggles with shrillness, finding highs too sharp as heated emotions and musical performances are encountered. Intelligibility is never threatened, but the listening experience takes some volume riding to manage comfortably. Atmospherics are blunt but perceptible, bringing out urban overcrowding and fantasy excursions into the sky.

Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on this disc.

Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The most interesting element of "Harry Kellerman" is completely unintentional, offering a third act where a plane is intentionally flown into a New York City skyscraper, mirroring the 9/11 terrorist attack. It's an eerie moment, but for different reasons than the feature intends. The moment is also the only truly unnerving one in the picture, which struggles with pace, timing, and introspection, ultimately resembling a crude, meandering acting workshop that was accidentally released to theaters.