Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Kathy, Tommy and Ruth live in a world and a time that feel familiar to us, but are not quite like anything we know. They spend their childhood at Hailsham, a seemingly idyllic English boarding school. When they leave the shelter of the school and the terrible truth of their fate is revealed to them, they must also confront the deep feelings of love, jealousy and betrayal that threaten to pull them apart.

This is one of the most beautifully photographed films I saw in 2010 and the Blu-ray delivers the visuals with aplomb. Fine textures are striking and the depth and dimension is outstanding. This film has an aged look that fits the story perfectly with a subdued color character but striking cinematic quality. The soundtrack’s greatest asset is its moving score that really drives home the emotion of the film. Dialogue is balanced perfectly within the mix and the surround soundstage does a great job with ambiance.

Extras are a bit limited for this one and include a look at the story, some on set photos from the director and a look at some of the art pieces from within the film.

While very sad and emotionally unsettling, this is still one of my favorite films of last year. The fact that it was completely overlooked during this award season is baffling. This should have been a contender for Best Picture and was far better than half the films nominated. Couple that with a brilliant story, stunning photography and a solid cast and it really makes you wonder what the Academy was thinking. Highly recommended.