Promising Young Woman (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Universal 
Release Date: March 16, 2021
Rating: R
Film: 3.5/5
 
Plot
Everyone said Cassie (Mulligan) was a promising young woman...until a mysterious event abruptly derailed her future. But nothing in Cassie’s life is what it appears to be: she’s wickedly smart, tantalizingly cunning, and she’s living a secret double life by night. Now, an unexpected encounter is about to give Cassie a chance to right the wrongs of the past.
 
My Thoughts
New releases are quite rare these days so beggars can’t be choosers. The production value of the film is very good, the acting is excellent, but the story leaves a little bit to be desired. I like how it unfolds slowly as you try and put the pieces of the backstory together, but my wife and I figured out how it was going to end well before the big reveal. My favorite part of the film was the lead, Carey Mulligan, who was nominated for the Best Actress today and it will not surprise me if she ultimately wins.
 
The A/V quality is a mixed bag. The video quality is at times stunning with its detail but in other scenes looks somewhat out of focus, especially along the edges. Maybe this was a creative choice to show Cassie’s warped world, but it would really take a second viewing to be sure. The audio track was surprisingly good with ample use of the LFE.
 
Video 3.5/5
 
Audio 4.5/5 (DTS-HD MA 7.1)
 
Special Features:
 

• A Promising Vision
• Two-Sided Transformation
• Balancing Act
• Audio Commentary
• Movie’s Anywhere Digital Code

 

 
 
Conclusion
Other reviewers liked this better than I did, but they didn’t have my wife complaining the entire time besides them. Covid has really got her down and she’s tired of watching depressing films and TV shows—which this certainly is. Regardless, I found the acting to be Oscar-worthy and the audio track to be nearly reference quality.
 
 
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-980M&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]

blu-ray.com also commented on the problematic picture quality, and gave 3.5/ 5 , so I doubt a 2nd viewing will make it look better. 

[bmoney]

Just finished it. I really liked it. Messed up. Funny and different

Picture quality in your review is spot on! 4K looking through most! But some VERY out of focus shots (the whole scene with mclovin) and a lot of scenes around the edges. But when it was clean man it was amazing for 1080 

Sound was great as well. Perfect use of LFE

[David Vaughn]

Just finished it. I really liked it. Messed up. Funny and different

Picture quality in your review is spot on! 4K looking through most! But some VERY out of focus shots (the whole scene with mclovin) and a lot of scenes around the edges. But when it was clean man it was amazing for 1080

Sound was great as well. Perfect use of LFE

I would have enjoyed it more if the missus wasn't complaining the entire time. 

[bmoney]

I would have enjoyed it more if the missus wasn't complaining the entire time.

Haha. I’m sure

[AVSCraig]

Just watched this. Good film, cut from recent events, and a twisted revenge flick. I liked the ending. Great soundtrack at times. When the picture looks good, it looks really good too. I'll give it a 2nd spin with another set of friends and see how it holds up to a 2nd viewing. 

[David Vaughn]

Just watched this. Good film, cut from recent events, and a twisted revenge flick. I liked the ending. Great soundtrack at times. When the picture looks good, it looks really good too. I'll give it a 2nd spin with another set of friends and see how it holds up to a 2nd viewing.

Thanks for chiming in Craig. I agree about the soundtrack. Let me know how it holds up upon a second viewing.

[claw]

I am waiting on a rental to arrive.    I will watch anything with Carey Mulligan in it.    Ever since I saw her performance as Daisy in The Great Gatsby.

[AVSCraig]

I am waiting on a rental to arrive.    I will watch anything with Carey Mulligan in it.    Ever since I saw her performance as Daisy in The Great Gatsby.

She's great in Drive too. Looking forward to Drive coming out on 4K this year.