The Rambler Blu-ray Review

"The Rambler" presents a solid video performance with its 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 transfer. While it may not offer the punchy vibrancy of some high-definition releases, it instead delivers a sturdy, dependable presentation. The film's cinematography, managed by David McFarland, is given considerable attention, resulting in an image that is both polished and refined. Bright exteriors, particularly the rocky, barren terrains and vibrant orange prison jumpsuits, sparkle, albeit within a slightly subdued color palette. Despite the dominant earthy tones, the colors remain well-managed without losing definition or appearing washed out. Fine details, such as facial textures and environmental elements, are prominently showcased, enhancing the film’s visual realism.

The transfer's strength lies in its consistency and clarity. The image is pristine, devoid of any notable noise or distracting artifacts, suggesting a digital shooting format. Contrast levels are maintained high throughout the film; blacks are deep and rich without overpowering, while whites retain their integrity without appearing blown out. This high contrast ensures the presentation never feels flat, even during scenes with low or intense lighting. Although there are slight instances of soft focus, they are minimal and do not detract significantly from the viewing experience. Overall, "The Rambler" provides a dependable high-definition transfer that manages to create a vibrant visual engagement despite its subdued color intensity.

The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack for "The Rambler" presents an overall solid performance that efficiently handles the film’s varied audio demands. Starting with the low end, the bass is pronounced yet can feel a bit over-pumped at times, causing it to rattle rather than deliver a more precise impact. Despite this, the track excels at delivering ambient sound effects, such as gusty winds and nocturnal insects, which enrich the quieter scenes with a mood-critical array of evenly distributed environmental sounds across both the front and rear speakers.

Dialogue comes through the center channel smoothly and crisply, maintaining clarity even amidst more chaotic sequences. Some creative use of the rear channels helps create disorienting effects that enhance some scenes' immersive quality. Gunfire and other sharp noises are not replicated to perfection but carry enough weight and realism to satisfy the scene’s requirements. Overall, while the track doesn’t break new ground, it offers a well-balanced mix that aligns with the director’s artistic vision.

The Dolby TrueHD mix does an admirable job of balancing dialogue with the music and sound effects to ensure that none of the elements overpower another. The mix alternates between minimal, atmospheric moments and segments rich in music and sound to convey the film’s unsettling aura effectively. While some might find portions of the audio track overwhelming, this seems to be a deliberate choice to heighten the film's off-kilter atmosphere. The mix's widespread use of multiple channels helps in maintaining clear and precise audio delivery throughout varied scenes, contributing to a successful and engaging audio experience.

The Blu-ray of "The Rambler" delivers a solid array of bonus content, enriching the overall viewing experience. The special features exhibit a blend of making-of insights and directorial perspectives, providing an in-depth look into the film's creation. Fans and analysts will appreciate the balance of narrative depth and technical exploration. Although some reviews noted the lack of specific types of content, the included extras are cohesive and informative.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Director Calvin Lee Reeder: An in-depth discussion on the making of the film, offering unique insights from the director's perspective.
• Behind The Scenes Footage: A detailed look at the process and environment during filming.
• Deleted Scenes: Expanded storytelling through additional scenes that didn't make the final cut.
• Interview with Dermot Mulroney: An engaging interview with lead actor Dermot Mulroney, discussing his role and experiences.

Calvin Lee Reeder’s "The Rambler" presents itself as a perplexing fusion of genres—part road trip, part horror, part psychological exploration. As a narrative, it struggles to maintain coherence, lurching between dark humor and grotesque repulsiveness. Dermot Mulroney plays the titular Rambler, embarking on a journey to his brother’s Oregon ranch, encountering bizarre and nightmarish characters along the way. This film lacks clarity in its themes and plot, ultimately feeling like a disjointed assembly of surreal and disturbing events rather than a cohesive story. The nebulous symbolism and startling visuals provoke more confusion than contemplation, leaving viewers adrift in a violent and chaotic odyssey.

Despite its narrative chaos, "The Rambler" is not entirely without its intriguing moments. Mulroney embodies the stoic Rambler with a Marlboro Man-inspired exterior, yet the character remains frustratingly undeveloped. Scenes range from a pawn shop transaction to encounters with a scientist recording dreams on VHS tapes and grotesque meetings with recurrently maimed women, accentuating the film’s erratic tone. Each scene seems designed to outdo the previous one in sheer oddity and horror, yet these encounters lack meaningful connection or progression. Reeder’s influence from directors like David Lynch is evident but falls short of emulating their skill in weaving bizarre elements into coherent and compelling narratives.

Technically, "The Rambler" is crafted with an eye for grimy, atmospheric visuals. Each location is meticulously designed to appear more sinister than the last. However, this dedication to aesthetic detail does not compensate for the film's narrative shortcomings. Surreal sequences, such as a deformed woman vomiting into Mulroney's mouth, strive for shock without substance. The characters primarily exist to move Mulroney through this fragmented world, adding to the film’s overall sense of incongruity. While Reeder exhibits creative vision, his execution leaves much to be desired, failing to resonate with any lasting impact or deeper meaning.

Review 1: Some viewers may find value in the mental exercise of trying to decipher The Rambler -- even if it ultimately proves a futile exercise -- and others won't want to waste the brain power on it. It's hardly an enriching experience on a basic level, but those who wish to accept the challenge and are prepared for the oddities, absurdities, and repulsive violence and visuals in the film may discover a movie that will at least stay with them and leave them something to dissect. Even then, the majority of that group may only discover a hollow vessel under the surface. The Rambler will find only a very limited audience. Anyone not interested in escaping the mainstream and venturing about as far from the norm as possible should stay far away from this one. Anchor Bay's featureless Blu-ray offers solid video and audio. For the majority, the recommendation is to skip. For the adventurous few, rent before buying.

Review 2: 'The Rambler' is certainly designed to be one of those films that's difficult to wrap your head around, and in that sense, I suppose it's successful. Where it misses the mark is in taking that opaque quality and turning it into something with purpose or infusing it with some sense of meaning. This would have allowed the disparate parts to work on the level they were intended, rather than operate like a slideshow of overly incongruent and unpleasant imagery. On some level, Reeder has the benefit of creating a critic-proof film, as criticism can easily be countered by stating, "Well, you just didn't get it." Perhaps this is true, but the more likely truth is that there simply isn't anything here to get. The disc certainly looks and sounds great, but the lack of supplements is very disappointing. While it didn't hold much value for me, it's probably worth a rental for those interested in surreal filmmaking – although you'd be better off picking up something by Lynch or Buñuel instead.

Our Review: 'The Rambler' seeks to immerse viewers in an enigmatic journey that may perplex more than it engages. Director Calvin Lee Reeder's effort to blend surrealism with strikingly disjointed and unsettling imagery offers a challenge for those who enjoy dissecting obscure narratives. While visually and audibly proficient, thanks to solid Blu-ray quality, the film's value may hinge on one's patience and willingness to decode its seemingly arbitrary scenes.

However, the film often falters by failing to provide a cohesive or meaningful thread through its labyrinthine storyline. Reeder's execution results more in a series of isolated, jarring moments than an impactful surrealist experience. It teeters on the edge of abstract art that suggests depth but leaves most viewers grappling with an underlying sense of hollowness. The lack of supplementary features on the disc further detracts from its appeal, leaving little incentive for those seeking deeper insight into the production.

Some viewers may find value in attempting to decode 'The Rambler,' but for most, it will likely feel like an exercise in futility. This film caters to a very niche audience willing to stray far from conventional storytelling. For those eager to venture into surreal cinema, renting might be a safer bet before considering a purchase. Mainstream viewers would do well to look elsewhere for their cinematic satisfaction.