Fatso Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray debut of "Fatso," encoded in AVC with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, presents a mixed bag in terms of visual fidelity. Derived from an older scan, the imagery exhibits muted colors and soft cinematography, a stark contrast to the vibrancy often seen in modern 4K remasters. Primary colors are acceptable but lack vibrancy, leaning heavily on dingy browns and washed-out tones, particularly in dimly lit interior scenes. There’s a notable softness across the board, affecting detail precision and giving the film a somewhat dreamlike, hazy quality that seems only partially intentional. While artifacts like film grain, speckling, and occasional scratches do appear, they aren't overly distracting. Blacks and contrast levels fluctuate, with darker scenes sometimes appearing flat or crushed.

Detail reproduction is satisfactory but falls short of what one might expect from contemporary transfers. Close-ups offer the most interesting textures, notably in facial details and food shots, but overall sharpness is limited. Skintones hover on the bloodless side yet remain natural enough not to break immersion fully. Despite some print damage and artifacting, the mastering and encoding are competently handled, resulting in few digital anomalies beyond inherent film-based issues.

Ultimately, "Fatso" on Blu-ray reflects its age and production style without significant restoration efforts. The muted color palette and softer photography stand in stark relief against the more lovingly remastered titles in today's market. While it is gratifying to have "Fatso" available on Blu-ray, one must temper expectations regarding its video presentation quality.

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA track for "Fatso" offers a faithful representation of the original 80s mix, capturing the essentials with professional precision. The dialogue is consistently clean and clear, maintaining strong emphasis throughout various interactions. Ambient noises effectively populate the front sound stage, particularly noticeable during busy scenes like the opening funeral. Panning effects between left and right channels exhibit decent activity, adding a layer of immersion to the audio experience. Although primarily focused on dialogue, some minimal but effective LFE is incorporated into the mix, making it a solid offering given its low-budget provenance.

The soundtrack adequately handles group activities and emotional exchanges, with instrumental music comfortably ranging from subdued emotional moods to more intense scenes. While the DTS-HD MA mix does an admirable job capturing these elements, there is a presence of hiss that persists across the listening experience. Exterior shots recorded live stand out audibly and maintain the authenticity of the scenes. The mix also exhibits a minor instance of popping, which is the only notable audio blemish. Overall, while there are no dynamic challenges presented by this soundtrack, it serves its purpose well, offering good fidelity and clear dialogue throughout.

The Blu-ray release of "Fatso" offers a rich selection of extras, providing valuable insight into the production and historical context of the film. Mel Brooks and Stuart Cornfeld’s retrospective featurette delves into Anne Bancroft's creative journey and her pioneering role in the film, offering personal anecdotes and professional challenges. The interview with Maya Montañez Smukler is particularly enlightening, tracing the evolution of female directors in Hollywood and highlighting "Fatso" as a significant milestone in this narrative. Visual enthusiasts will appreciate the image gallery and press kit, which provide a nostalgic look at the film’s promotional material.

Extras included in this disc:

• Looking Back on Fatso: Mel Brooks and Stuart Cornfeld discuss the film's history.
• Interview with Maya Montañez Smukler: Insightful discussion on female directors leading to "Fatso."
• Image Gallery: Collection of posters and production stills.
• Press Kit: Scanned pages from the original media folder.

"Fatso" (1980), helmed by renowned actress Anne Bancroft in her directorial debut, is a daring exploration of overeating and its psychological ramifications. Historically known for his comedic roles, Dom DeLuise takes on a more serious character as Dominick DiNapoli, an overweight man who embarks on a journey of self-discovery following the death of his obese cousin. The narrative begins with a somber yet poignant depiction of an Italian-American family's complex relationship with food, brilliantly examined during Dominick’s upbringing highlighted in the opening scenes. Bancroft’s screenplay leverages familial and cultural insights to establish a compelling backdrop for Dominick’s struggle, making the film's premise both personal and universally relatable.

Unfortunately, "Fatso" suffers from a noticeable tonal inconsistency. Bancroft oscillates between weighty drama and slapstick comedy, disrupting the narrative's pacing and coherence. Moments that are meant to provide profound insight into Dominick’s compulsions often devolve into comedic set pieces that undermine the film's emotional impact. For instance, the narrative thread depicting Dominick's interactions with various weight loss professionals is riddled with almost farcical misadventures that detract from the central theme. Despite these fluctuations, DeLuise delivers a commendable performance, embodying Dominick’s vulnerability and romantic inclinations, which eventually crystallize in his relationship with Lydia (Candice Azzara).

The duality of "Fatso" lies in its earnest portrayal of love and self-acceptance juxtaposed with its uneven execution. While Bancroft’s ambitious attempt at blending comedy with a sensitive subject deserves recognition, the frequent shifts in tone can be jarring. The comedic elements, while sometimes charming, impede the depth of Dominick's journey toward self-awareness and emotional growth. Nevertheless, Bancroft's directorial vision and DeLuise's compelling performance contribute to a film that remains heartfelt and engaging, though flawed in its ambition.

Anne Bancroft’s "Fatso" presents an intriguing, though uneven blend of comedy and drama, featuring the remarkable Dom DeLuise in one of his most defining roles. The film, now available on Blu-ray from Shout Factory, revisits America’s obesity epidemic through the darkly humorous lenses of Bancroft's script and direction. Despite the star-studded cast and earnest performances, the narrative struggles to maintain a coherent tone. The comedic elements often clash with the dramatic explorations of self-worth and depression, which could leave viewers disoriented.

The Blu-ray release preserves the film’s visual charm with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 AVC, although it isn't a standout in terms of audio and video quality. The English: DTS-HD MA 2.0 audio track and English SDH subtitles ensure accessibility; however, neither dramatically enhances the viewing experience. The newly created special features add significant value, particularly the insightful featurette with Mel Brooks and Stuart Cornfeld, making this edition appealing for long-time fans.

In conclusion, "Fatso" definitely had its heart in the right place, and Anne Bancroft really tries her best both behind and in front of the camera. Sadly, the film is laborious to get through due to the crudely done comedic effects that break the flow of the dramatic elements, leaving the viewer very bored and put off by the whole affair. "Fatso" bombed back in 1980 and I seriously doubt that it’s going to gain very many new fans almost 40 years later. It’s a cult film though, and has a decent following, so fans of the movie will be intrigued and may want to get it despite some mediocre audio and video specs from Shout Factory’s newest release. The new special features are solid, with the featurette with Mel Brooks and Stuart Cornfeld being the most in-depth. Rental for most people though.