Lovely Molly Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Lovely Molly" offers a mixed visual experience, rooted in its 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode. While there are commendable aspects such as excellent fine object detailing, especially evident in the delineation of the house and the lifelike textures of characters' skin tones, the visuals are not without flaws. A significant amount of banding mars lighter scenes and shadow details, leading to distracting artifacts. Colors and contrast maintain a generally natural but flat palette, reflective of the film's somber tone, although this consistency is countered by enhanced saturation in consumer-grade video sequences meant to simulate memories.

Moreover, the Blu-ray struggles with other common artifacts, including stair-stepping from handheld footage and notable highlights blooming with severe clipping, which further detract from an otherwise clean image presentation. Despite these issues, black levels are commendably deep and intense, providing beneficial depth in darker scenes. Such discrepancies between sequences shot with different equipment (Red One and consumer-grade video cameras) are sometimes intentional but result in a somewhat uneven viewing experience.

Overall, while "Lovely Molly" features some solid high-definition elements that highlight finer details and maintain a balanced, yet muted color palette, the presence of disruptive visual artifacts like banding and aliasing significantly hampers the overall quality of the video presentation on this Blu-ray release.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for "Lovely Molly" stands out as the most commendable aspect of the Blu-ray release. The audio mix is meticulously crafted to make full use of the surround channels, generating a tense and immersive atmosphere. Creaks, groans, and other eerie noises subtly emanate from the rear speakers, establishing a spine-chilling soundscape that effectively complements the film's unsettling narrative. Dialogue remains clear and prioritized, making the storyline easy to follow amid the auditory chaos. The music score by Tortoise integrates seamlessly into the mix, enhancing the overall auditory experience without overshadowing other elements. However, while the bass extension is present, it doesn't deliver the impact one might expect during intense scenes, calling for a bit more weight in the low-end.

Other technical aspects of the audio track highlight its strength in dynamic range and directionality. Discrete effects are plentiful, filling the room with excellent directional fidelity and flawless panning, thus broadening the soundstage with convincing off-screen activity. The film's sonic design focuses on creating a unique auditory identity for each room, which significantly enhances the sense of immersion. Jump scares punctuate several scenes with high-pitched precision but maintain good mid-range fidelity without resorting to clichéd shock tactics. Overall, despite a minor shortfall in the LFE department, the DTS-HD audio track achieves an outstanding level of engagement through its complex and enveloping mix.

The Blu-ray release of "Lovely Molly" includes a diverse selection of extras that enhance the viewing experience through both informative and entertaining content. The commentary by Director/Co-Writer Eduardo Sánchez and Co-Writer Jamie Nash provides an insightful glimpse into the production process, despite being somewhat monotonous. The inclusion of multiple high-definition featurettes, styled as mock documentaries with a strikingly serious tone, offers additional context and deepens the narrative. These featurettes explore various aspects of the film’s story, including Molly’s mental state, the haunted history of the house, occult symbolism, and an intriguing investigation into the possibility of a real-life haunting. The theatrical trailer is also included, delivering a concise preview without giving away key plot points.

Extras included in this disc:

Feature Commentary Featuring Director Michael Roskam: Insightful production details and scene analyses.

Path to Madness: Explores the theme of Molly’s mental illness.

Haunted Past: Investigates the haunted history of the film's setting.

Demonic Forces: Examines occult symbols and their significance.

Is It Real?: Features behind-the-scenes footage and examines real-life hauntings.

Theatrical Trailer: Effective preview of the film without spoilers.

"Lovely Molly," directed by Eduardo Sánchez, delivers an unconventional blend of haunted house and psychological horror, making it an intriguing albeit polarizing experience. The film stars Gretchen Lodge, whose raw performance as Molly is commendable. At the movie's core is Molly's descent into madness or perhaps demonic possession, a question Sánchez intentionally leaves ambiguous. Progressing slowly, the plot pivots on Molly's interactions with her childhood home, fraught with traumatic memories. The narrative alternates between traditional filmmaking and found footage, adding to the disorienting atmosphere. However, some viewers might find the pacing and lack of clear resolution frustrating.

Technically, "Lovely Molly" diverges from Sánchez’s earlier found footage classic, "The Blair Witch Project," though it occasionally employs similar techniques. Video inserts peppered throughout the film provide an unsettling, voyeuristic layer to Molly’s unraveling reality. An elaborate security system in their home captures much of this footage, but it’s unclear whether the perspective is Molly’s or an external sinister presence. This ambiguity contributes to the film’s psychological tension, but may also leave audiences confused about what is genuinely supernatural versus projections of Molly’s deteriorating mental state.

Despite the shortcomings in pacing and ambiguity, Lodge's portrayal of Molly is a highlight. She convincingly embodies a range of extreme emotions, effectively anchoring the film. Additionally, the film’s use of music by post-rock band Tortoise adds a unique contrast of melancholy and eerie serenity, enhancing the overall atmosphere. For enthusiasts of the genre, "Lovely Molly" offers a nuanced experience that demands patience and rewards with moments of genuine discomfort and intrigue, although it risks alienating viewers seeking a more traditional horror narrative.

"Lovely Molly" offers viewers a tale that departs from the formulaic, lackluster thrillers cluttering up the genre landscape. While critically divided, it delivers a notable central performance by Gretchen Lodge, who notably elevates the material with her compelling portrayal. However, it's important to acknowledge that the film's narrative technique and overall execution may not appeal universally, often being regarded as either refreshingly unconventional or disappointingly incoherent.

Technically, the Blu-ray presentation is a mixed bag. The visual quality exhibits some inconsistencies, impacting the overall viewing experience. Conversely, the audio delivery is commendable, enhancing atmospheric elements essential for a supernatural thriller. The disc also includes a selection of bonus features that, while somewhat intriguing, do not significantly add to the core experience, making it more suited for casual exploration.

In conclusion, "Lovely Molly" stands out in an otherwise saturated genre due to its unique approach and strong lead performance. However, its reception will likely be polarized among audiences. The Blu-ray's technical strengths and weaknesses offer an uneven but engaging viewing for horror enthusiasts. Given these considerations, this release could be worth a rental before committing to a purchase.