AVS Discussions
Movie and TV Discussion => Movie reviews => Topic started by: David Vaughn on June 30, 2022, 12:55:37 PM
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(https://i.imgur.com/4OoPSHJ.jpg)
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
Release Date: June 28, 2022
Rating: R
Film: 3/5
Plot
On a warm spring day in 1924, house maid and foundling Jane Fairchild (Odessa Young) finds herself alone on Mother's Day. Her employers, Mr. and Mrs. Niven (Colin Firth and Olivia Colman), are out and she has the rare chance to spend quality time with her secret lover. Paul (Josh O'Connor) is the boy from the manor house nearby, Jane's long-term love despite the fact that he's engaged to be married to another woman, a childhood friend and daughter of his parents' friends. But events that neither can foresee will change the course of Jane's life forever.
My Thoughts
This one piqued my interest for a few reasons. First, it’s a period piece set in the UK a few years after the end of World War I. Second, it’s cast really appealed to me so I went in expecting more than I probably should have. First off, the narrative is a bit disjointed as it jumps back and forth across time. It’s based on a book and I wonder if the book did the same thing? Regardless, it does take a while to get used to that type of narrative.
The film itself is a bit slow although the erotic scenes make up for this. In fact, my wife referred to the film as “soft core porn.” You do get to see a lot of Odessa Young, which isn’t a bad thing, but my wife wasn’t impressed with Josh O’Connor—she said he looks like a live-action Howdy Doody—OUCH!
The presentation is quite good overall, but the material isn’t too stressful on either the audio or the video. Most of the video is in brightly lit exteriors, which look great, but some of the interior shots could use slightly better lighting. The imaging on the DTS audio track is quite good and the ambient effects pull you into the landscapes.
Video 4.5/5 (AVC)
Audio 4.5/5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
Special Features:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEyCyI__09Q (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEyCyI__09Q)
Conclusion
While the film wasn’t as good as I had hoped, it does have its moments. Thankfully, Odessa Young is quite the young actress and does a good job in the lead. I was disappointed with Firth and Coleman though…they seemed to be sleepwalking through most of the film.
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
JL Audio F110 (X2 co-located and bridged as one sub)
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
M&K Sound X15+ Subwoofer
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner