I'm doing this review on the basis that I think this film is a little better than popular critique is suggesting. Re-adapting a classic almost always spells doom (for an exception see Alfonso Cuarón's Great Expectations). Ondaatje's The Lodger is an interesting film with some personal signature earmarks identifying it as, at least, an attempt at a more original re-telling with some added flair. This could have very easily advanced to the ultra-silly under a different helm. Anyway, I didn't hate it - and actually admit to enjoying my viewing - even immediately after watching the original Hitchcock masterpiece a few hours previously. This 2009 The Lodger had a minor exposure before coming almost directly to public exposure via this DVD.

The dual-layered disc is anamorphic and progressive - tending to look at little saturated - which, for all I know, may be an intended look. The image is dark but colors tend to appear vibrant suggesting that there may have been some boosting. It is in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Overall though the visual quality looks very acceptable for standard viewing. There is some fine noise resembling grain. detail, while not pristine, looks adequate in close-ups.

Audio is a fair 5.1 track offering with some decent effect noises and wonderful music (the killings of females are enacted with the orchestrations of opera.) There are foreign language DUBs and subtitles options, plus region coding for zones 1, 3 and 4 suggesting sales marketing for those locations.

I'd say don't listen to the critical uproar but give this an opportunity and it might surprise you. Performances are strong. There is a lot of rain and furtive pauses - some overbaked style but in the end it's a decent enough murder-mystery thriller.... if that's what you might be looking for. 

Gary W. Tooze