The Goldfinch (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Warner 
Release Date: December 3, 2019
Rating: R
Film: 2.5/5

Plot
The last time 13-year-old Theo Decker (Oakes Fegley) saw his mother, she was gliding away from him into another gallery of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Seconds later, a terrorist bomb exploded destroying priceless pieces of art…and shattering Theo’s life forever. The tragedy changes the course of his life, sending him on a stirring odyssey of grief and guilt, reinvention and redemption, friendship and even love.

Throughout the turbulent years, as he grows into adulthood, Theo (Ansel Elgort) secretly clings to a single, precious object—his one tangible connection to the mother he lost on that terrible day—a priceless painting of a tiny bird chained to its perch. The Goldfinch.

My Thoughts
My wife and I had mixed feelings on this one. She absolutely hated it and found it a complete bore. I thought the pacing was pretty slow but did find myself intrigued by the story and wanted to see how it ended—she was ready to turn it off after 30 minutes. I ultimately prevailed in making it to the end but didn’t score any brownie points with her.

The film is based on the novel of the same name from Donna Tart and it may be one of those cases where something is lost in translation from book to screen. I thought the acting was a bit flat, especially from Nicole Kidman, and the story does move at a snail’s pace. I have more of an issue with the rampant drug use in the film. Yes, I get its part of the character’s arc, but I really hate when drug use is glorified and there are no dire consequences that come from it.

Video 5/5

Audio 4.5/5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)

Special Features:

• The Goldfinch Unbound
• The Real Goldfinch
• Deleted Scenes
• Blu-ray+ Digital Copy

Conclusion
As long as you show some patience, the payoff is decent enough to warrant at least one viewing of this film. It definitely is a slow burn, but I found myself intrigued to see where Decker’s choices would ultimately lead him. The A/V quality is excellent but this isn’t the type of film that you’d demo your system on. Give it a rent.

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
 Anthem AVM60 Audio/Video Processor
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed ChannelsATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
 Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
 System Controller: URC MX-980
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
 HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
 SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer
JL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer x 2 (configured as tandem mid bass modules)

Mini DSP controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[AVSCraig]

The top critics comments on Rotten Tomatoes may be more entertaining.