Plot: What’s it about?
I first really wanted to watch this movie when it came out, ironically enough, on video. That was about 9 years ago, and I never really “got around to it”. Why I picked this movie up today, I don’t know, but here’s my take on it…
Consisting of a great cast, all of whom have gone on to successful movie (TV) careers. It’s the story of a married couple. Anne (Andie McDowell), John (Peter Gallagher), Cynthia (Laura San Giacomo) and Graham (James Spader). John is married to Anne, not exactly happily, but nevertheless, married. Anne is in therapy for some reasons and John is cheating on Anne with her sister, Cynthia. Along comes Graham, an old college buddy of John’s, but who has since changed dramatically since he and John have last seen each other.
At first, Graham and Anne seem to be hitting it off, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say that the character of Graham was gay, but he is not. Anne and Graham are very open with each other and he suspects that something is wrong with their marraige. Then there’s the thing with Cynthia and John…
John has just become Junior partner at a law firm, but keeps on blowing off meetings and clients so that he can continue his affair with Cynthia, neither is too happy with what they are doing, but they seem to get over it.
What this all eventually boils down to is this…Graham makes videotapes of women confessing thier innermost secrets and is his only sexual outlet. Anne suspects the affair between John and Cynthia. One thing leads to another, and all their lives are changed. For the better? You be the judge.
Video: How does it look?
Both a full frame and a 16:9 transfer are found on the disc. This movie is about ten years old now, and I would say is showing it’s age. I used to think that just because a title was anamorphically enhanced, it was perfect…not so. This movies scenes are about 95% brilliant, but it seems that a few of them suffer from some artifacting. It still looks great, a whole lot better than the old, full screen preview that is found on the disc, but I have seen better.
Audio: How does it sound?
I can count the number of times on one hand that I actually heard the front speakers, and the rear speakers only went on once or twice. That is not necessairly bad, mind you. This is probably them most dialogue driven movie that I have ever seen. All the scenes involve long conversations and such. The dialogue also sounded a bit muffeled at times as well. There are a lot of phone calls and the movie doens’t try and make the other person sound like they are actually on the line, more so like they are in the same room with you. You’ll have to see it to know what I’m talking about…
Supplements: What are the extras?
A feature length commentary with another great director, Neil Labute (In the Company of Men), sheds even more light on this great, critically acclaimed movie. Also included is a theatrical trialer and some neat menus.
