NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

Criterion new Blu-ray is described as a "New 2K digital restoration, approved by director Susan Seidelman". Smithereens was shot on 16mm and blown up to 35mm but the image belies the film's meager production roots showing extensive grain on Criterion's dual-layered 1080P transfer with a max'ed out bitrate. Colors are rich and the image looks very consistent and pleasing in-motion. It is in the 1.66:1 aspect ratio, has no damage or speckles and the film's textures help support a very authentic presentation.

Criterion provide a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) track in the original English language. The film has modest effects and everything is flat with music credited to Glenn Mercer and Bill Million with many songs of the early 80's including by The Feelies, The Nitecaps, 'The Raybeats', ESG, Richard Hell and the Voidoids etc. providing a vérité, mood-enhancing, expression of the film.  Criterion add optional English (SDH) subtitles and being available in North American and the UK it is a Region 'A' / 'B' Blu-ray depending on your geographic location.

Supplements include an open and honest commentary from 2004 featuring Seidelman plus a new interview with Seidelman and actor Susan Berman running consecutively for over 40-minutes with recollections of the production, filming and their mindset at the time. We also get two early shorts by Seidelman, with new introductions by the director. And You Act Like One Too runs 25-minutes from 1976 when she was a film student at New York University. It is about a girl on her 30th birthday, a first-time unfaithful wife who picks up a strange hitchhiker who helps her conceptualize her values. Yours Truly, Andrea G. Stern runs 38-minutes from 1979 about a young girl who chronicles her divorced mother's relationship with a new boyfriend who has just moved into the house. Both were interesting. The Criterion Blu-ray package also has a liner notes booklet with an essay by critic Rebecca Bengal.

Smithereens has a rebellious, resistant punk facade with nonconforming characters and an informality that imbues realism and drifting unique spirit with a self-realization of hollowness. The music helps the film's expression of freedom actually developing some human warmth in fringe-driven relationships. I enjoyed it and would love to see more 80's grassroots cinema - just like this. The Criterion Blu-ray gives a great presentation with supplements that promote appreciation. Curious fans are encouraged to seek it out and dive-in head first. Absolutely recommended! 

Gary Tooze