Charlie Says Blu-ray Review

"Charlie Says" boasts an exceptional 1080p video transfer framed at a 2.39:1 aspect ratio, retaining a significant amount of detail and texture. The AVC encoded image presents an appealing balance, preserving the film’s artistic intent and mood. The costuming and sets are intricately designed, with the Spahn Ranch sequences standing out due to their substantial attention to detail, particularly Charlie's leather fringe suit that transitions from pristine to haggard as his mental state deteriorates. The film's colors are robust and vibrant, depicting the warmth of the Californian sun, the sinfulness of Charlie’s gathering drenched in red, and the starkness of the prison interiors in steely blues. Skin tones are natural and consistently healthy throughout, while the greenery of the landscapes appears bright and inviting.

The cinematography is finely-honed with a realistic palette, delivering excellent definition and depth even in lower-lit scenes. The flashback sequences have a warmer color grading with richer earth tones, contrasting well with the cooler blue tones depicting modern scenes without disrupting overall primary colors. Black levels are inky and deep, contributing to a rich sense of three-dimensionality, especially noticeable in night scenes lit by minimal light sources such as lanterns or fires. Compression artifacts are absent, thanks to a high bitrate encoding on a BD-50 disc, ensuring a clean and pristine image across all scenes, despite some occasional mild banding. Overall, this Blu-ray presentation exemplifies near-flawless image quality, demonstrating that 1080p format still has substantial life and can deliver detailed and immersive viewing experiences.

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix for "Charlie Says" primarily provides a frontal listening experience, emphasizing dialogue clarity, which remains crisp and authentic, capturing a range of vocal nuances including rants, mumbles, and whispers. The scoring effectively underscores scenes with supportive circular activity, and soundtrack selections are well integrated, enhancing the acoustic ambiance with distinct string-plucking instrumentation. The atmospheric elements are vivid, capturing the essence of nature and prison environments with noticeable precision. However, the low-end frequencies remain relatively unchallenged, providing a lighter bass response.

An active and discrete audio presentation balances action, music, and dialogue seamlessly, creating an immersive soundstage. Songs from groups like Love are meticulously placed within the mix, enriching the auditory experience. The sound design significantly contributes to the overall effect, blending into the immersive atmosphere with tangible impact. English SDH and Spanish subtitles appear in a white font within the scope frame, ensuring readability without distractions. Additionally, the mix excels in capturing silent and quiet conversations, particularly during scenes depicting the Manson family's peaceful interactions at Spahn ranch, ensuring a wide-open feel to the atmospherics.

During more intense sequences, the sound design adjusts dynamically with a tighter and more cramped presentation, amplifying dialogue presence to unsettling levels, such as during Matt Smith's portrayal of Helter Skelter. The voice dominates the mix here, enhancing the chilling effect of the scene. Prison cellblock scenes maintain a similar cramped yet open auditory space with echo effects allowed to travel, creating an intriguing balance. Surround activity varies depending on the scene but remains consistently clear with precise levels, contributing to a high-quality audio experience throughout the film.

The Blu-ray release of "Charlie Says" by Shout Factory offers a modest selection of extras that provide some behind-the-scenes insights but falls short in delivering substantial depth. The "Making Of" featurette gives a concise overview of the film's production through on-set interviews with the cast and crew, including insights from director Mary Harron and writer Guinevere Turner. Despite its brevity, it touches on key elements such as character motivations and the intention to present Charles Manson's story from a female perspective. The disc also includes a theatrical trailer, enhancing the package slightly, though it leaves one wishing for more comprehensive content like director commentary or expanded interviews.

Extras included in this disc:

• Making Of: Brief overview of production achievements and insights into character motivations and historical context.
• Theatrical Trailer: The official trailer of the film.
• IFC Films Trailers: Trailers for "Red Joan," "Donnybrook," and "Blaze (2018)".

"Charlie Says" offers a unique and intriguing perspective on the notorious Manson Family, shifting the focus from Charles Manson himself to the women under his control. Director Mary Harron and screenwriter Guinevere Turner collaborate once more to bring an empathetic lens to the tragic narratives of Leslie Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Susan Atkins. The film diligently avoids sensationalism, instead providing a thoughtful exploration of the psychological manipulation these women endured. The narrative oscillates between their time on death row and vivid flashbacks to the Spahn Ranch, emphasizing their evolution from hopeful seekers of clarity to willing participants in heinous crimes.

The performances in "Charlie Says" are commendable, with Hannah Murray portraying Leslie Van Houten's complex journey, while Sosie Bacon and Marianne Rendon contribute convincing depictions of Patricia Krenwinkel and Susan Atkins. Matt Smith steps into the menacing role of Charles Manson with notable skill, adding a layer of eerie charisma essential for understanding his hold over these women. Merritt Weaver's Karlene Faith serves as a catalyst for change, attempting to dismantle the deep-seated belief systems implanted by Manson through intense dialogue and literature in prison settings.

Despite its empathy-driven approach, "Charlie Says" does not overlook the gravity of the crimes committed. The film meticulously balances historical drama with psychological horror, depicting Manson's methodical brainwashing while eschewing gratuitous violence. However, some critics argue the movie's portrayal edges too closely to sympathy for the women involved, potentially downplaying their brutal actions. Nonetheless, it remains a finely crafted cinematic exploration that offers fresh insight into one of America's most infamous criminal sagas, enriching its narrative depth through superb storytelling and powerful performances.

"Charlie Says" brings an intense narrative focus on Charles Manson and his powerful influence over his followers, particularly the women who became key figures in the notorious Manson Family. Mary Harron’s direction explores the psychological depths, offering a unique perspective on the destructive hold Manson had on his cult. Matt Smith’s performance as Manson is compelling, upstaging but not overshadowing the broader narrative. The film provides a nuanced exploration of the followers’ motivations without exonerating them for their heinous acts, ensuring the balance between empathy and accountability.

The Blu-ray release by Scream Factory is technically superb, boasting a crystal-clear video presentation with rich detail and a moody, effective audio track. This high-quality A/V presentation immerses viewers in the chilling atmosphere of the story. However, the bonus features are unfortunately lacking, which might be a disappointment for those looking for a deeper dive into the making of the film or more supplemental materials.

In conclusion, while "Charlie Says" bravely delves into the human aspects of the Manson Family, it occasionally falters by revisiting familiar horrific beats in its final act. Nonetheless, it remains an absorbing watch, especially for those interested in fresh takes on well-trodden narratives. Recommended for its ambition, execution, and top-tier Blu-ray quality.