Goin' South 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

"Goin' South" has been gracefully ushered into the 4K UHD era by Cinématographe, leveraging a new 4K restoration from the original camera negative to present a paramount visual feast that stays true to its 1978 cinematography by Néstor Almendros. Shot on 35mm film using Panavision cameras and spherical lenses, and framed at its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, the transition to 4K UHD with HDR10 grading enhances the film's inherent visual fidelity without betraying its analog roots. The restoration work, seemingly a collaborative effort with Paramount possibly contributing the scan and perhaps with additional input from Vinegar Syndrome, maintains an authentic grain structure that fans of filmic aesthetics will appreciate. The preservation of natural film grain, coupled with a conspicuous absence of digital noise reduction (DNR) or invasive color grading interventions, underscores a commitment to authenticity.

The enhanced resolution accentuates the detailed costuming and rugged landscapes of the Old West, bringing a palpable texture to scenes both indoors and outdoors. Colors are vibrant yet balanced, with the azure skies and verdant scenery complementing the earthy tones of the period-specific attire. Facial details and the intricate fabric of clothing benefit from the 4K clarity, capturing the essence of characters and their environments with a newfound depth. The blacks are deep and consistent, allowing for a nuanced depiction of shadowed interiors and the ominous depths of mines without losing detail to murkiness. This delicate handling of contrast and color ensures that scenes are rendered with remarkable clarity and visual impact.

Despite a minor anomaly at around the 42-minute mark, possibly a remnant of the original filming or an artifact from the restoration process, the overall source quality remains impressive. Fidelity in Motion's encodement ensures a robust bitrate that aids in presenting a stable and clean presentation, particularly notable in scenes where intricate details and complexions are front and center. The included standard Blu-ray benefits from this meticulous 4K transfer as well, offering a solid 1080p option that stands significantly improved over previous home media releases. This release not only bridges the gap between generations but does so with a technical prowess that makes "Goin' South" a definitive experience for both die-hard enthusiasts and newcomers to this cinematic piece of the Old West.

The audio presentation of "Goin' South" on its 4K UHD Blu-ray release is praiseworthy for its clarity and precision, encapsulated within a 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio track. Dialogue emerges with remarkable clarity, allowing the film’s cast to shine through their performances without any notable distortion—even during the more raucously argumentative moments. This ensures that conversations are easily followed, contributing significantly to the viewing experience. The score, featuring contributions from Perry Botkin Jr., Van Dyke Parks, and a notable piece by Ry Cooder, is delivered with crispness and a sharpness in instrumentation that supports the movie's tone effectively, highlighting the drama without overwhelming the dialogue.

Sound effects, although not the star of the audio mix, are adequately presented and add to the overall ambiance without any apparent noise or hiss, retaining the film’s original charm. The inclusion of Ry Cooder's "Available Space" is a treat for fans, with his distinctive slide guitar work immediately recognizable and well integrated into the audio track. Subtitles are provided in English SDH for those who may need them, ensuring accessibility.

The audio benefits from a lovingly rendered mono soundtrack that resonates with authenticity, preserving the film's vintage feel without sacrificing audio quality. The mix is exceptionally clean, offering a sound design free of sibilance or hiss, which is commendable for a track of this age. Despite being front-focused, the soundtrack manages to deliver a distinct soundscape that complements the film’s visual restoration, maintaining the essential dusty and twangy aura that fans would expect. The balance between dialogue and score is finely tuned, resulting in an audio presentation that does justice to the original material while taking advantage of modern audio restoration techniques.

The extras on the 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Goin' South" are commendably robust, given the film's previously sparse archival material. The booklet, rich with essays by Chris Shields and Marc Eliot, plus art by Adam Maida, offers deep insight into the movie's production and its place in cinematic history. The commentary by Simon Abrams is not just illuminating about the film's troubled creation and Jack Nicholson’s directorial nuances but also contextualizes it within Nicholson's career and the era's filmmaking landscape. Coupled with two video essays—Daniel Kremer’s “Jack of Three Trades,” which combines an informative interview with filmmaker Henry Jaglom and a comprehensive exploration of 1970s cinema and Nicholson’s evolving career, and Samm Deighan’s “Nestor Almendros: A Man with a Camera,” which examines the cinematographer’s contribution—this release offers an exhaustive examination of the film, despite the absence of a trailer. This collection serves not only as a testament to the film but also as an immersive dive into the creative process behind it.

Extras included in this disc:

• Booklet: Essays by Chris Shields and Marc Eliot, and art by Adam Maida.
• Audio Commentary: By film critic Simon Abrams.
• Jack of Three Trades: Video essay by Daniel Kremer, featuring Henry Jaglom.
• Nestor Almendros: A Man with a Camera: Video essay by Samm Deighan.

Jack Nicholson's directorial venture "Goin' South" in the late 1970s marks a distinctive blend of comedy and Western genre that attempts to diverge from traditional narratives. The film showcases Nicholson's role as both a director and an actor alongside a competent cast including Mary Steenburgen and Christopher Lloyd, incorporating a storyline that mixes legal loopholes, romantic entanglements, and the quest for gold. Despite Nicholson’s ambition, the film stumbles in its execution, presenting a mix of comedic elements with uneven pacing, which at times seems as though the ensemble is navigating through an extended rehearsal rather than a concretely scripted scene. The narrative focuses on Henry Lloyd Moon (Nicholson), a small-time outlaw on the verge of hanging, thrust into an opportunistic alliance with Julia Tate (Steenburgen), aiming to unearth hidden treasures beneath her land. This plot foundation allows for a series of adventurous misfits and character explorations, albeit in a somewhat disjointed fashion.

The screenplay, developed with the help of four writers, including Charles Shyer, struggles to maintain a consistent tone, oscillating between moments of intended humor and darker thematic undertones of greed and survival. Notably, the performances are engaging, with the cast delivering their roles with evident gusto, especially Steenburgen, whose character arc from a genteel virgin to a strategic partner highlights the film's brighter moments. Yet, Nicholson's direction appears unsure about fully embracing either the comedic potential or the dramatic heft of the storyline, resulting in a film that feels like a missed opportunity to comment more incisively on the absurdities of outlaw life and marital dynamics in the Old West.

Technically, "Goin' South" benefits from Néstor Almendros’ cinematography, capturing the sparse beauty of the Western landscape, adding a visually compelling layer to an otherwise erratic narrative journey. The movie implicitly nods to Nicholson’s deeper engagement with American disillusionment through its loosely structured plot and character dynamics, but fails to coalesce these elements into a cohesive thematic statement. Ultimately, "Goin' South" stands as an interesting yet flawed artifact within Nicholson’s oeuvre, hinting at narrative and stylistic ambitions that it doesn’t quite fulfill, making it a curiosity for fans of the actor-director rather than a standout piece of cinema.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Goin' South" garners a nuanced look, provoking audiences with its blend of Western movie traditions, quirky narratives, and the advent of Mary Steenburgen's authentic acting debut alongside Jack Nicholson's untamed performance. This revival, underscored by its intermittent burst of life through gunfights and stunts, thrives on the peculiar dynamics between its leads. The film, despite its tendency to meander away from a tight narrative structure, is given a new dimension of appreciation with Nicholson's evident passion for the genre's essence. However, what might have been perceived as deficiencies in storytelling or coherence is overshadowed by the chaotic charm and robust performances that infuse the movie with its distinct personality.

On the technical front, the release by Cinématographe under the scrutiny of Justin LaLiberty as part of Vinegar Syndrome's ambitious project to spotlight American cinema's diversity, shines remarkably. This 4K restoration elevates "Goin' South" from its previously neglected status into a compelling rediscovery. The 2160p transfer bolstered by HDR brings an unparalleled visual clarity that glorifies every intricate detail of this Western escapade, while the encoding prowess of Fidelity in Motion ensures a seamless viewing experience. Additionally, the inclusion of supplements featuring insights from Nicholson aficionados further enriches this two-disc edition, making it an essential acquisition for cinephiles and collectors alike.

In conclusion, this 4K UHD presentation magnifies "Goin' South"'s underrated legacy by not only rejuvenating its audiovisual allure but also by repositioning it within the broader narrative of American cinema's eclectic oeuvre. It stands as a testament to the film's enduring charm and its newfound vibrancy through technical excellence, rendering it a highly recommended addition to any discerning viewer's collection. The Cinématographe label's commitment to showcasing the myriad facets of moviemaking through such releases promises a renewed interest and appreciation for films like "Goin' South," encapsulating both its historical significance and its contemporary resonance within cinematic history.