Le Voyage en douce - Dominique Sanda

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

(aka 'Sentimental Journey')

Directed by Michel Deville
France 1980

The Voyage in question immerses the viewer in the world of these two talkative yet strangely inarticulate friends without offering easy answers or facile insights. The viewer follows where the Voyage leads, as the characters themselves do, and bask in the summer sunlight of the French countryside. There are answers but the questions themselves are ambiguous and contradictory. Chaplin and Sanda, consummate actors, bring a crackling intensity and (at times) affecting vulnerability to their roles. The soundtrack enhances contemplative episodes with tenderly played bagatelles from Beethoven, which offer ironic counterpoint even while evoking a nostalgia for "lost time".

The claustrophobia-inducing tight interior shots bracketing the beginning and end of the film also intensify the exchange of roles between the two main characters that has gradually taken place during the journey. Elena (Sanda) has helped Lucia (Chaplin) rebuild her confidence and self-esteem but has herself become vulnerable and unstable in the process.

Excerpt of Michael Ross Murphy's review at IMdb located HERE

Poster

Theatrical Release: January 4th, 1980

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DVD Review: New Yorker Video - Region 1 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover		CLICK to order from:
Distribution	New Yorker Video - Region 1 - NTSC
Runtime	1:34:06
Video	1.58:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.62 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Audio	French (Dolby Digital 2.0)
Subtitles	English, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: New Yorker Video Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.58:1 Edition Details: • none DVD Release Date: August 29th, 2006 Keep Case Chapters: 26

Comments:

There is something afoul at New Yorker Video - this is the second NY'er disc in a row that DVDBeaver have reviewed that is widescreen but non-anamorphic (the last was Eternity and a Day). For a while they really seemed to be improving - including extensive liner notes - all transfers 16X9 enhanced, but aside from their Project X discs (produced by Oliver Groom - including among them Punishment Park, The Gladiators, Edvard Munch and Mai Zetterling's Loving Couples.) New Yorker appear to be stepping backward.

The transfer again appears to have been taken from the opposing standard without benefit of conversion first. Meaning it looks to be of PAL origin and exhibits combing and associated weaknesses (see last capture). This need not concern tube viewers - and for them the image will look quite acceptable - just no where near how good it could be. So even with those two glaring faux-pas of DVD production (incorrect standard and non 16X9 widescreen) it looks okay - decent colors (skin tones) and it is reasonably sharp. There are removable English subtitles and the sound was unremarkable but all dialogue audible.

No supplements are provided save some NY'er disc adverts.

I enjoyed the film - I thought it was about communication at its most basic premise - it was also quite sexy in a non-exploitive manner. Certainly fans of French cinema will get the most benefit.