Reversal of Fortune Blu-ray Review

Warner Archive's Blu-ray release of "Reversal of Fortune" represents a significant upgrade from previous DVD editions, sourced from a new master that delivers a pristine and film-like presentation. This edition impresses with excellent fine detail in close-ups and wide shots, accommodating the period’s slightly hazy aesthetic due to the film stocks used at the time. The color saturation is commendable, showcasing vivid hues on clothing, background details, and foliage, while less colorful interiors still exhibit pleasing depth and consistent high levels of film grain. Although the film's visual ambition isn't high due to its dialogue-driven storytelling, the meticulous preservation and the ornate production design render it an unusually strong catalog Blu-ray.

Encoded in MPEG-4 AVC with a 1080p resolution and a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, "Reversal of Fortune" shines with noticeable clarity and detail. The transfer likely handled by Warner Archive Collection reveals a healthy layer of grain that enhances depth and offers a loose, three-dimensional feel to the image. The balanced foreground and background relations and the smooth, cinematic movements further elevate the visual experience. Black levels approach natural tones without crushing, maintaining detail even in the darkest scenes. Grain is slightly heavier in these areas but does not detract from the overall visual integrity.

The color reproduction adheres to a grounded, natural look, achieved through solid and well-saturated hues. Skin tones are consistently natural throughout, with facial features and textures delineated clearly, including Glenn Close's coma makeup which holds up under scrutiny. The disc exhibits a clean presentation devoid of noise or artifacts, ensuring a enhanced viewing experience for both purists and casual viewers alike.

The Blu-ray release of "Reversal of Fortune" employs a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track that brings an appreciable fidelity to the film's original two-channel soundtrack. This audio mix emphasizes the dialogue-heavy narrative with exceptional clarity and separation, ensuring that each line of dialogue is both clear and dynamically expansive. Mark Isham’s ethereal musical cues are distributed gracefully across the channels, adding depth and enhancing the overall sonic texture. The audio’s dynamic range is robust enough to impart appropriate weight to pivotal scenes without overshadowing the dialogue, which is critically important in such a dialogue-centric film.

The stereo mix is notably full-bodied, achieving a well-balanced and free audio experience due to its uncompressed nature. This allows both vocal inflections and sound effects to move fluidly within the front 2 channels, creating a more immersive and natural auditory environment. The precision in dialogue placement within crowded legal conversations, often taking place in confined rooms, is remarkable, avoiding any sense of claustrophobia that might arise from such settings. Optional English (SDH) subtitles are available and accurately synchronized, providing a seamless viewing experience for all audiences.

In summary, the DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track for "Reversal of Fortune" delivers a proficient and engaging auditory experience, true to the film’s original presentation while leveraging modern audio technology to enhance clarity and depth. This well-executed blend ensures that every element, from dialogue to musical scores, complements each other harmoniously.

The Blu-ray release of "Reversal of Fortune" provides a standard keepcase with poster-themed cover artwork and no inserts. Noteworthy is the preservation of primary bonus features from previous DVD releases, ensuring no significant content is missing. The audio commentary featuring director Barbet Schroeder and screenwriter Nicholas Kazan is particularly engaging, exploring the storytelling process, Dershowitz's book, the real case, dramatic license, casting, and shooting locations. Despite some gaps in the dialogue, this two-person commentary holds fans' interest throughout. Additionally, the vintage theatrical trailer is included.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: By Director Barbet Schroeder and Screenwriter Nicholas Kazan
• Theatrical Trailer: Vintage promotional piece

Barbet Schroeder’s 1990 legal drama Reversal of Fortune delivers an intricate dissection of the perplexing case involving American socialite Sunny von Bülow, who fell into a diabetic coma in December 1980. The film adeptly blends fact with narrative ambiguity, employing techniques reminiscent of Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon to present the events surrounding the incident from multiple perspectives. Leading performances by Glenn Close, Jeremy Irons, and Ron Silver are magnetic, each actor seamlessly slipping into their roles to portray the strained relationships, legal battles, and ethical dilemmas of the real-life figures they depict.

The film is structured with non-linear flashbacks that heighten its suspense and engagement. Sunny's vegetative state sets a somber tone, while Alan Dershowitz's (Silver) exhaustive efforts as Claus von Bülow’s (Irons) defense attorney inject a sense of legal procedural depth. The narrative showcases the tension and collaboration within Dershowitz’s team of students, emphasizing the meticulous research and challenges inherent to their task. This dynamic approach differentiates Reversal of Fortune from typical legal thrillers, invigorating scenes with strategy sessions, collaboration sequences, and methodical evidence review.

Technically, Reversal of Fortune shines through its dedication to realistic storytelling, avoiding sensationalism in favor of a measured investigative approach. The film has aged gracefully over three decades, a testament to its compelling source material and the passing of the case’s central figures. It remains a quintessential watch that captivates both those familiar with the legal intricacies of the von Bülow case and newcomers alike.

Barbet Schroeder's "Reversal of Fortune" is a meticulously crafted legal drama that presents a compelling narrative with superb performances, impressive cinematography, and evocative music. The film's true story foundation adds a layer of authenticity, enriching its portrayal of the enigmatic characters and the intricate legal proceedings they navigate. In less capable hands, this could have easily devolved into a mundane TV movie, but Schroeder's direction elevates the material, making it both engaging and memorable.

The Warner Archive Blu-ray release delivers a stellar 1080p transfer that heightens the viewing experience by pulling out a remarkable amount of fine detail. This high-definition presentation ensures that the film’s visual craftsmanship—particularly in the nuanced lighting and period-specific set design—can be fully appreciated. The included stereo audio track is equally impressive, providing clear and well-balanced sound that complements the on-screen action. Additionally, the Blu-ray is enhanced with carryover bonus features, including a valuable commentary track that cinephiles will find enriching.

In conclusion, Warner Archive's Blu-ray edition of "Reversal of Fortune" is an outstanding catalog release that brilliantly revitalizes a classic film with top-notch picture and sound quality. It’s a treat for both long-time fans of the movie and those discovering it for the first time. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a gripping legal drama with substantial rewatch value.