Plot: What’s it about?
I first remember seeing Maggie Gyllenhaal in the 2002 film Secretary, a black comedy starring her and James Spader. It was an interesting watch, for sure but it opened the door for her (and younger sibling Jake, who’d already made a name for himself) into Hollywood. Gyllenhaal has been in some big films, notably The Dark Knight but there’s more to her than that. Nominated for two Academy Awards (one for acting and the other for writing) there’s clearly talent. So when she turned to directing and decided to do a take on the classic tale of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, I was curious. Add to that the casting (and yes, nepotism is alive and well) and this was one I was excited to see.
The film is set during the 30’s in Chicago. We meet Ida (Jessie Buckley), a woman who was murdered by some mobster’s hitmen. Her body is revived by Dr. Euphronius (Annette Bening) at the behest of Frank (Christian Bale), someone who’s looking for some “companionship.” Things are different for Ida, but when Frank kills two men who try to assault her, the duo are forced to go on the run in ala Bonnie & Clyde. Then there’s Jake Wiles (Peter Sarsgaard) and his assistant, Myrna (Penelope Cruz) who are trying to track them down.
These are all things we’ve seen before, but it’s the way in which it’s done and told that makes this one an interesting watch. It’s one thing to count on a great performance from Christian Bale, but equally as impressive is Jessie Buckley who really nails her part as Ida/The Bride. Obviously the stellar casting plays a part in the film’s overall presentation and let’s not forget that brother Jake is perfectly cast as a narcissistic actor. What’s not to love?
Video: How’s it look?
Though the film was shown in some IMAX theaters we don’t get the varying aspect ratios seen in other films. Warner has opted to stick with the original 2.39:1 aspect ratio which looks spot on perfect. As we might expect, and true to the genre, the film has a lot of dark spots which utilizes the contrast, giving us a very “interesting” picture, that somewhat mimics the older films, yet gives us a bit of the new to balance it out. Flesh tones, pardon the pun, are consistent, detail is off the charts and color is used perfectly. It’s a unique-looking film, but one that’s sure to impress.
Audio: How’s it sound?
The included Dolby Atmos track does a fine job as well, with some subtle ambiace present throughout. Vocals are clear and crisp most of the time, there are a few outbursts which seemed to make the speaker “peak” a bit, but nothing to get worked up about. Surrounds offer some nice atmosphere as well. By and large, it’s a nice-sounding mix, but not one that’ll shake the walls.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- Stitching Together The Bride! – Uncover the artistry behind the film with exclusive footage and revealing interviews. From Maggie Gyllenhaal’s daring direction to the cast’s transformative performances, witness how this modern masterpiece was brought to life.
- Designing the Look – From first sketch to final transformation, explore how The Bride!’s unforgettable creatures took shape. With exclusive make-up tests, behind-the-scenes footage, and cast insights, discover the artistry that turned vision into cinematic legend.
- The Muse and the Reimagined Monster – In The Bride!, Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale embody the intertwined forces of creation and consequence. Guided by Maggie Gyllenhaal’s vision, their performances reveal how love, pain, and artistry can reanimate even the darkest myths.
- The Bride! Party – A bride is always the center of attention—especially this one. Annette Bening, Penélope Cruz, Julianne Hough, John Magaro, and Peter Sarsgaard reveal their deepest thoughts on The Bride, Frank, and the unforgettable film they all leapt to be in
The Bottom Line
This is an interesting one, to be sure. Clearly Maggie Gyllenhaal has some talent behind the camera as well as in front of it. The cast is top notch and makes for an interesting watch, though the film might be a bit polarizing for some. Warner’s disc has some passable features, but delivers a breathtaking picture with a solid Atmos soundtrack.
