Blu-ray Specs
Video: 1080p HD
Video: English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD/ French/Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
Christen Bale makes a ground breaking performance and a defining career choice with this 2004 masterpiece. Bale exceeds the expectations of writer Scott Kosar and Director Brad Anderson by losing 63 lbs to grasp the vision set forth in the screenplay of looking like a walking corpse. The dedication to his work is proven by going from this small budget film and weighing 120 lbs to his next blockbuster of Batman Begins in which he gained back all his weight. Saddening though, the film is set in Los Angeles but due to financing the shoot was all done in Spain. But none the less a masterpiece is born and was nominated for 8 International awards of which it had 7 wins.
An emaciated man, Trevor Reznik (Bale), is living a sad existence going towork and keeping him dangerously thin. Plagued with insomnia, Trevor has been dragging on through life for the past year with no relief in sight. When mysterious notes appear in his apartment, feelings of terror, guilt and confusion as he tries to figure out what is going on in his life. The only solid piece of his life lies in the comfort of a prostitute that shows an interest in his well being. At work, Trevor is confronted by a new coworker Ivan that he feels drawn to in a weird way, but as he continues to have his world fall apart around him, Ivan seems to be the man behind his torment. Trevor works his way through the film constantly challenged with what seems to be the same choices over and over, which road to take.
The extras are well worth watching but I would recommend watching the film first. Once you see the behind the scenes footage, Director Commentary, writer, cast and producer commentaries, more of the films twists and turns along with motivations are revealed. Also included are deleted scenes and the theatrical trailer.
The way the film was shot, very dark and some flashes of color are enhanced by the Blu-ray experience. It adds additional resonance to the feel of the film as well as a clearer vision of the subtleties of background elements. Being mostly a dialogue driven film, the audio was spot on and easy to follow without feeling like overhearing a whispered conversation.
A very intelligible film of character development and suspense while have a very dark feel. Christen Bale was very instrumental in pulling of a film of this caliber and I believe it should have been a more of a success than it turned out to be. The dark nature of the plot and direction of the film are a credit to the writing translated onto the big screen. This is a definite classic of modern art.
Reviewed by Michael Albaugh
