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

ADDITION: Arrow Academy Blu-ray (April 2020): Arrow Academy presents Jim Jarmusch's anti-thriller, "The Limits of Control" on an all new dual-layered Blu-ray. While the included booklet's notes about the transfer are somewhat vague (basically stating that the digital transfer was provided by Universal), the 1080p picture obviously benefits from the Blu-ray bump, showing the film with a high bitrate, now with crystal-clear detail once obfuscated in Standard Definition. The simply brilliant mise-en-scene and lighting is thanks to award-winning cinematographer, Christopher Doyle (In the Mood for Love). Note the copious amount of detail and lighting now visible in the below capture featuring Paz de la Huerta in her transparent raincoat. Also note how Isaach De Bankolé's pores and skin-tones are now much more detailed and, I'm assuming, representative of the original 35mm theatrical presentation. The contrast levels on display here paint a vivid picture of the various exotic locales. Any over/under exposure is a choice of the filmmaker and the black levels are enviable.

NOTE: There is a disparity in the running times between the Universal DVD and the Arrow Blu-ray. The BD is about 2 1/4 minutes shorter. The missing footage is gone from the end of the film as the credits are truncated and it moves right back to the main menu without playing them. Arrow has been notified. If we are notified of more (a statement from them) - we will post it here.

The 24-bit  DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround track included on this release sounds very similar to the previous SD audio, which was never too playful with the channel separation, though it certainly gets the job done. Thankfully, this Blu-ray release also includes the option of watching the film in Linear PCM 2.0 24-bit audio. This is my preferred choice for watching the film, as dialogue and music tends to sound crisper, and I didn't miss the surround sound channels very much. While there is no credited composer, the film features a diverse soundtrack including music from Boris, Sunn O))), LCD Soundsystem and more. There are optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing on this Region FREE Blu-ray disc from Arrow Academy.

An American in Europe, is a a 35-minute all new video interview with Geoff Andrew (author of Stranger Than Paradise: Maverick Film-Makers in Recent American Cinema) and was recorded exclusively for Arrow in March 2019. Andrew speaks of Jarmusch's distinct experimental independent cinema, and its various through lines (especially themes of death, love and friendship). Looking at the director's thematic connection of an outsider's look at America, and this film's particular take on America (and American cinema) from the outside in. The author gives a wide look at the director's history in film, as well as diving into different readings of his art. This is an intelligent and well-researched discussion that is absolutely worth the half-hour watch, even to fans of Jarmusch. "The Rituals of Control" is another fantastic new piece made for this Arrow release (recorded in April 2019). author and critic, Amy Simmons provides a thoughtful and informative voice-over in this new video essay. Also included on this dual-layered Blu-ray disc are some archival features that have appeared before on SD. These include the 51-minute archival documentary, "Behind Jim Jarmusch" as well as "Untitled Landscapes", a 4-minute piece showcasing the film's locations. Rounding out the disc is a theatrical trailer. The Blu-ray has a reversible sleeve (see below) with alternate artwork and a 24-page booklet featuring the essay "The Troublesome Truth of Sadness and Beauty: The Cinematic World of Jim Jarmusch" by Geoff Andrew.

"The Limits of Control" may not have the raw experimental indie qualities of Jarmusch's early work, nor the dreamlike power of "Mystery Train", but rather the film succeeds for everything it doesn't do/show. The sumptuous cinematography from Christopher Doyle makes this an easy purchase for those on the fence. The included talk (and essay) by Geoff Andrew and the video-essay from Amy Simmons will assuage any fears over the lack of information and textual reading sometimes provided by a commentary track. Arrow Academy has a winner on their hands here with this Blu-ray package, and this is a worthy upgrade over the previous SD DVD release.

Colin Zavitz

***

ON THE DVD:

"Everything changes... except the color of the glass you see it through."

"The universe has no center and no edges."
"The reflection is more real than the thing being reflected."
"You don't understand Spanish, do you?"

This is such a cool film if paced a far too deliberately for mainstream expectations. Jarmusch's wonderful minimalist tendencies are in full swing. The complaint will be 'style over substance' - but I think wimpy complaint is missing the mark. I liked this quite a lot. Christopher Doyle's cinematography and the exceedingly curious visuals are the perfect adjunct to the uncompromised narrative.

Universal has given us a great DVD transfer. Anamorphic and progressive on a dual-layered disc. Detail is strong, pastel blues are heavily represented and there is even the hint of texturizing grain. While I have no complaints with this SD rendering - I'd still love to see this film in the glory of 1080P resolution one day.

Audio doesn't give the 5.1 track an abundance of work but the film has some resounding music that has a crisp sound with an occasional kick. There are subtitles but the English ones (for all non-English dialogue) are non-removable where the option of French or Spanish appears - if chosen - when English is spoken. The disc is coded for region 1 + 4 in the NTSC standard.

Supplements consist of a 50-minute piece entitled Behind Jim Jarmusch divided into 2 parts. It is an extended 'making of...' with behind the scenes clips from production - simply following Jarmusch around. There is also Untitled Landscapes with outdoor sequences of desert contrasting the city for just over 4-minutes.

Fans of the director will embrace this cool offering filled with homage to noir. But those less exposed to his work may find it ponderous. I loved Doyle's camera work and the film drips with style - but there is something further beneath the surface - that only you can, personally, interpret. To those who would venture to reading this review - I encourage you to indulge.

Gary W. Tooze