The Burning Plain Blu-ray Review

"The Burning Plain" debuts on Blu-ray with a commendable 2.40:1, 1080p/VC-1 encoded transfer that adeptly handles the film's atmospheric nuances. The cinematography is striking, oscillating between vivid warmth and sullen tones depending on the scene and character focus. Colors are impeccably rendered, with skin tones exhibiting natural tonality and variation that reinforce the narrative's emotional undertones. The images on screen are primarily sharp with significant depth of field and discernible texture, although minor fluctuations in sharpness appear to be inherent to the original photography and do not detract from the overall viewing experience. The video showcases stable contrast and deep blacks, which enhance visibility during night or low-light scenes and contribute to a satisfying, immersive visual experience.

Director Guillermo Arriaga's use of elemental motifs—earth, wind, water, fire—is translated effectively through the Blu-ray transfer. Charlize Theron's Pacific Northwest scenes feature a bluish cast, integrating water elements, while Kim Basinger's Southwestern narrative adopts dusty, earthy tones. The palette maintains a balance between depth and restraint, with occasional bold splashes of color like bright blue denim or intense oranges. Black levels are robust and contrast is well-calibrated, although shadow detail occasionally appears crushed, likely as an intentional stylistic choice. Grain structure remains fine and consistent, without apparent banding, blocking, or edge enhancement issues.

Despite some scattered soft shots, "The Burning Plain" offers a detailed and nuanced visual presentation in high definition. Contrast levels fluctuate according to the climatic conditions of Portland's overcast gloom versus the Southwest's warm desert atmosphere. Primary colors remain full-bodied and diverse, while blacks are accurately rendered with suitable shadow delineation exposing sufficient background detail. Flesh tones adapt appropriately to each character's environment, contributing to a visually compelling narrative. This Blu-ray release is a notable visual rendering of Arriaga's stylistic choices, providing an engaging and meticulously crafted viewing experience.

The audio presentation of "The Burning Plain" on Blu Ray impressively conveys an intricate sound design, maximizing the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. Despite being a dialogue-centric film, the lossless audio capably delivers high-level detail and an extended dynamic range, enriching the sonic experience. Notable low-level sounds, such as a gentle breeze or a crackling fire, are perceptibly clear amongst the more prominent elements within the mix. The dialogue is descriptively tonally rich and full-bodied, adding depth and texture to the vocal performances. While the film's primarily dialogue-driven nature limits opportunities for active surround sound, the surround channels effectively extend the front soundfield and add dimension to the music score.

One of the standout features of this audio track is its nearly constant activity and ambition to create a more immersive soundstage. This is particularly evident in scenes featuring ambient sounds, from wind rustling through fields to rain pouring down in Portland, offering a seamless and enveloping auditory experience. Complementing these subtleties are discrete effects, such as a crop duster zipping through rear speakers and cars roaring past, which all blend naturally into the narrative. Deep low-frequency effects (LFE) engage powerfully during scenes such as waves pounding against cliffs or the explosive destruction of a mobile home, demonstrating substantial weight and impact.

Overall, "The Burning Plain's" DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack exemplifies a thoughtful audio design with attentive channel separation and acoustics. The front-centric soundstage offers persuasive imaging with warm, expansive presence while maintaining sharp dynamics and robust bass when required. The incorporation of music by Hans Zimmer and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez melds perfectly with the score, maintaining an engaging auditory experience that exceeds typical expectations for a drama.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Burning Plain," directed by Guillermo Arriaga, provide a well-rounded exploration of the film's production aspects despite their somewhat limited scope. The star feature, "The Making of The Burning Plain," delves deeply into the film's development, with Arriaga sharing personal insights, inspirations for the script, and praising each contributor to the production, from crew to cast. "The Music of The Burning Plain" impresses with its revelation of the collaboration between iconic composer Hans Zimmer and the progressive rock artist Omar Rodríguez-López. This segment includes discussions on the score and scenes from the recording sessions. Lastly, "HDNet: A Look at The Burning Plain" offers a quick promotional overview with clips and Arriaga’s commentary, rounding out a package that primarily appeals to fans but is informative and engaging nonetheless.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of The Burning Plain: Comprehensive documentary covering production insights.
• The Music of The Burning Plain: Exploration of the film's score featuring Zimmer and Rodríguez-López.
• HDNet: A Look at The Burning Plain: Promotional segment with film clips and director insights.

"The Burning Plain" presents a narrative imbued with themes of hope, redemption, and second chances, woven through the lives of its protagonists, Sylvia (Charlize Theron) and Gina (Kim Basinger). The film opens with a visually striking shot of an engulfed trailer home in the American Southwest, setting a desolate tone that permeates the storyline. Guillermo Arriaga, known for his affinity for non-linear storytelling, employs this technique to interlace the troubled lives of Sylvia, a high-end restaurant manager with a turbulent past, and Gina, a housewife entangled in an illicit affair. While this non-linear approach aims to create suspense and reveal deeper connections between characters, it often comes across as a contrived effort to mystify what is essentially an overdrawn melodrama. The temporal shifts fail to provide sufficient visual or verbal cues, leading to an early unraveling of its intended surprises.

Despite the structural flaws of Arriaga's directorial debut, the film features commendable performances that lend depth to its emotionally charged narrative. Charlize Theron's portrayal of Sylvia balances a façade of professional composure with underlying psychological turmoil, showcasing her ability to convey complex character dynamics. Kim Basinger delivers a poignant performance as Gina, capturing the vulnerability and desperation of a woman seeking solace from self-hatred and personal anguish. Jennifer Lawrence stands out as Mariana, intertwining her character’s youthful tumult with the film’s overarching themes of passion and loss. These performances bring a degree of empathy and authenticity to an otherwise convoluted plot.

"The Burning Plain" benefits from the refined visual storytelling of cinematographers Robert Elswit and John Toll, whose collaborative efforts create an immersive atmosphere that complements the film’s somber tone. Nonetheless, despite these technical achievements and strong acting, the film stumbles in its emotional resonance. Arriaga's screenplay, while meticulously crafted, culminates in a climax that feels unsatisfying and lacks the profound impact it aspires to achieve. This dissonance between narrative ambition and execution results in a film that is intriguing in parts but ultimately falls short of delivering a cohesive and compelling experience.

"The Burning Plain" is Guillermo Arriaga's commendable directorial debut, showcasing a multipart narrative of women navigating turmoil and desperation. The film offers compelling performances and exquisite cinematography that visually captivates. However, several viewers may find the timeline manipulation overly studied and the melodramatic tones somewhat unauthentic, creating an emotional disconnect reminiscent of Arriaga's previous work but not delivering its intended impact.

From a technical perspective, the Blu-ray edition of "The Burning Plain" stands out. Delivering a commendable high-definition video presentation, the clarity and color reproduction are striking, drawing viewers deeper into its beautifully shot scenes. The audio quality supports the immersive experience, providing clear dialogue and balanced soundscapes. Nonetheless, the Blu-ray release falls short in supplemental material; the limited bonus features may disappoint those looking for a deeper exploration of the film’s nuances.

In conclusion, while "The Burning Plain" holds appeal for fans of Guillermo Arriaga and aficionados of intricate, character-driven narratives, it may not reach the expectations set by his earlier works. The captivating visuals and performances do offer a worthwhile watch, especially for those appreciating film craftsmanship. Given its emotional pacing and limited bonus content, potential viewers might consider a rental before committing to a purchase.