Review by Brian Montgomery
Production:
Theatrical: Canal +
Blu-ray: Artificial Eye
Disc:
Region: FREE!
Runtime: 1:39:17.952
Disc Size: 21,003,414,210 bytes
Feature Size: 19,175,841,792 bytes
Video Bitrate: 25.75 Mbps
Chapters: 12
Case: Standard Blu-Ray Case
Release date: July 12th, 2010
Video:
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Resolution: 1080P / 23.976 fps
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio:
French (DTS-HD Master Audio 3478 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3478
kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit))
Subtitles:
English, None
Extras:
• Interview with Sylvie Testud (14:47)
• Theatrical Trailer
Description: Christine has been confined to a wheelchair for
most of her life. In order to escape her isolation, she
makes a journey to Lourdes, the iconic site of pilgrimage in
the Pyrenees mountains. She wakes up one morning seemingly
cured by a miracle. The leader of the pilgrimage group, a
handsome 40-year-old volunteer from the Order of Malta,
begins to take an interest in her. She tries to hold on to
this newfound chance for happiness, while her cure provokes
envy and admiration...
The Film:
Jessica Hausner’s third feature – following troubled-teen
drama Lovely Rita (2001) and psychological horror Hotel
(2004) – is a low-key but often beguiling oddity that
attempts an ambitious fusion of the sublime and the
corporeal in the unlikely form of a wry comedy of manners.
If it’s ultimately rather too schematic to make it wholly
satisfying (many characters are little more than
single-function pieces on the narrative chessboard),
connoisseurs of the deadpan pleasures proffered by Juan
Pablo Rebella and Pablo Stoll’s Whisky (2004) or the films
of Aki Kaurismäki will find much to enjoy.
Excerpt of review from Michael Brooke located HERE
The 2024 Film Movement Blu-ray
of "Lourdes" is reviewed / compared
HERE
Image:
NOTE:
The below
Blu-ray
captures were taken directly from the
Blu-ray
disc.
The progressive 1080 image on this disc is very
strong. Although background objects may sometimes appear
slightly weaker than objects in the foreground, this is a
very minor complaint and one that should not detract from
the overall excellence of the image. Fine object detail is
high (see the eleventh capture for instance) and the grain
structure is quite good. There are no signs of artifacts or
artificial manipulations of the image. Colors also appear
strong, with reds standing out as particularly vivid.
Audio & Music:
The audio is another strong point on this release. Mastered
in a lossless 5.1 HD track, the dialogue and music sound
exceptionally crisp and clear. There are no instances of
unwanted noises (hisses, pops, etc.) and the optional
English language subtitles are clear and unobtrusive.
Overall, the it's the kind of audio that you would hope for
on a HD release of a film that came out less than a year
ago.
Extras:
Unfortunately, the extras are this release's biggest
weakness. Aside from a theatrical trailer the only bonus
feature that the disc boasts is an interview with the film's
star that clocks in at just under fifteen minutes. While
fans of the film may find it of interest, a little bit more
would have been appreciated.
Bottom line:
Overall, this is another fine release from Artificial Eye.
The film itself was a memorable experience, and one that I
doubt that I would have caught up with here in the states if
it weren't for their release. The transfer is very
impressive and fans of the film should not hesitate to
purchase. Definitely recommended.
Brian Montgomery
July 14th, 2010
