Unfaithful on Blu-ray Disc Review by Rachel Cericola on BigPictureBigSound

Blu-ray Disc and DVD : Blu-ray Disc Reviews

Published: 2009-03-13 - 11:26:25

Unfaithful on Blu-ray Disc Review

By Rachel Cericola

The Film

Director Adrian Lyne sure likes his women to be damaged. However, he must not come across them all that often. After all, 2002's Unfaithful was his last film, and before that it was Lolita (1997). Still, he knows how to use them to make his mark.

In Unfaithful, Connie (Diane Lane) has a handsome, doting husband (Richard Gere) and a cute kid (Erik Per Sullivan). Certainly though, that's not enough, because it just takes one chance meeting during a windstorm to get this seemingly happy housewife to start up an affair with Paul (Olivier Martinez).

Connie is one of the saddest and most interesting of Lyne's subjects, because she has what many would consider a perfect life. It's that crazy little thing called lust that causes her life to unravel -- which is sort of a role flip on another Lyne favorite, Fatal Attraction. And while

many often accuse Gere of being a bit hammy, you have to give it up to him on this one. He lets Lane take the lead for most of the movie, but delivers the climax to kick you in the gut.

Unfaithful is nothing new, but it's certainly good. It also gave Lane's career a very hearty boost, as well as the actress' first and (so far) only Oscar nomination.

The Picture

Overall, Unfaithful is a dark film, in both tone and color. The 1.85:1 transfer delivers that sultry, sexy vibe, with deep, rich blacks. There are also plenty of details, from the windblown streets to the endless books in Paul's apartment, to the snow globe in the film's climactic scene. Also, the flesh tones look great -- and there are plenty of those.

The Sound

This dark and slightly suspenseful movie does rely on its DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack to convey the mood. The music, the dialogue and the detail all play nicely together through each of the speakers, keeping you on the edge of your seat, and slightly uncomfortable as well. It should also be noted that while most of the dialogue is low, it's extremely strong and clear throughout the entire film.

The Extras

Fox did not include any new extras specific to this Blu-ray release, but they did port over the same extras from the DVD. The most noteworthy piece is the peek at the film's alternate ending. Also be on the lookout for an Easter egg of Per Sullivan's actual sleeping during the shooting of the film's final scene.

Final Thoughts

Everyone loves a good train wreck, so Unfaithful should be a no-brainer. After all, who doesn't like to see someone flush their entire life down the toilet? Of course, we never really find out what made this woman want to throw it all away; that is certainly one of the film's shortcomings. Still, Lyne fans won't be disappointed by the anger and heat that the film delivers.

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