River's Edge Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "River's Edge" on Blu-ray offers a mixed viewing experience, reflective of its original visual limitations. Encoded in 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, this transfer reproduces the film's theatrical ambiance reasonably well but falls short of modern standards. The image clarity fluctuates, with focus inconsistencies and occasional softness affecting overall visual coherence. Detail retention is adequate, allowing for the exploration of set details, costume intricacies, and close-up emotions. However, night scenes exhibit pronounced graininess and reduced fine detail, diminishing the crispness expected from high-definition formats.

Colors maintain their muted tone, preserving the film's melancholic atmosphere, with skintones leaning towards pinkish hues. The grain structure varies, imparting a textured, filmic quality but also venturing into chunky extremes at times. Black levels are generally serviceable, though evening scenes suffer from crushed blacks and loss of delineation. Water ripples and other dynamic visuals can appear soft and smeary, detracting from the overall sharpness. The transfer source appears to be moderately clean with only minor speckling and scratches present. This Blu-ray doesn't quite elevate "River's Edge" to home theater showcase status but succeeds in providing a competent approximation of its original visual style.

The Audio presentation of the Blu Ray of "River's Edge" retains its low-budget feel through its 2.0 DTS-HD MA track, achieved via a mild yet secure mix of audio elements. Dialogue is clear and articulate, ensuring full comprehension of emotional nuances without distortion, even during intense scenes. Environmental sounds, especially those by the river, are delicately balanced to enhance location authenticity without overshadowing the actors' performances.

While the soundtrack selections maintain a subdued presence akin to car radio quality, the score becomes more pronounced to heighten dramatic moments when necessary. However, there is a faint hiss detectable in quiet passages, which might be noticeable to discerning listeners. Also noteworthy is the limited dynamic range, with rock songs and music scores making occasional appearances without significant impact. Stereo separation is not clearly defined, and bass response is largely negligible. Despite these limitations, the focus on dialogue ensures that standard TV speakers can sufficiently reproduce the undemanding soundtrack.

Overall, while not flawless, the 2.0 DTS-HD MA track delivers the necessary audio fidelity for a primarily dialogue-driven film like "River's Edge". The sound design is effective for its budgetary constraints and maintains an authentic atmosphere, though technical enthusiasts might find the audio profile somewhat lacking in depth and dimensionality.

The extras on the Blu Ray of "River's Edge" offer a solid blend of insightful commentary and promotional material, elevating the viewing experience. The standout feature is the Director’s Commentary by Tim Hunter, which serves as a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes details. Hunter's articulate discussion spans from the film's production nuances to in-depth character analysis, delivering fascinating anecdotes about the cast and filmmaking process without descending into typical Hollywood sycophancy. Additionally, the included theatrical trailer exhibits commendable picture quality, closely mirroring that of the main feature. Overall, these extras significantly enhance the appreciation and understanding of this underrated film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary: Features director Tim Hunter discussing the characters, settings, and production with great detail.
• Theatrical Trailer: High-definition trailer maintaining quality nearly consistent with the main feature.

"River's Edge," directed by Tim Hunter and released in 1987, is a dark, meditative examination of teen life marred by apathy and moral decay. The film, which cost under $2,000,000 and was shot in 30 days, sharply contrasts with the more optimistic teen movies of its time, offering a grim alternative to the saccharine portrayals often seen during the era. It presents a morose narrative following Samson (Daniel Roebuck), who murders his girlfriend without remorse, and the passive reactions of his friends Matt (Keanu Reeves), Clarissa (Ione Skye), and Layne (Crispin Glover). Their inability to process the horror around them underscores the film's brutal commentary on youth disillusionment and emotional detachment.

The characters, seeming like average teens at first glance, are revealed to be profoundly shaped by their broken homes and tumultuous lives. Matt’s dynamic with his dysfunctional family, including a neglectful mother and an antagonistic little brother, serves as a poignant microcosm of the larger societal breakdown the film seeks to depict. Hunter’s direction allows for a blend of psychological insight and abrasive melodrama, exemplified by Crispin Glover’s intense performance as Layne and Dennis Hopper’s haunting portrayal of the chaotic loner Feck. The fluctuating tone—from intense drama to unexpected comedy—keeps viewers engaged while highlighting the instability and volatility of the characters’ lives.

"River's Edge" avoids sensationalism, leaning instead into a raw realism that is rare for its genre. Neal Jimenez’s screenplay delves into group psychology and parental influence with a keen eye, ensuring an air of authenticity. Jurgen Knieper’s awkward synth score complements Hunter's permissive directorial style, allowing actors to oscillate between understated torment and exaggerated theatrics. This uneasy blend constructs a disturbingly real portrayal of adolescent life, reflecting both the trivialities and grave consequences of their actions. The film's lack of resolution underscores its thematic preoccupation with ambiguity, presenting a chilling yet nuanced exploration of disaffection and existential apathy among teens.

The Blu Ray of "River's Edge" captures a uniquely unsettling portrait of teen angst and disillusionment. Filmmaker Tim Hunter's experience with previous works like "Over the Edge" and "Tex" enables him to craft characters that, while often disoriented and deeply flawed, resonate with authenticity. The film ventures into the dark corners of adolescent experiences, providing moments of unrest that sharply cut through the otherwise murky narrative. Despite its inconsistencies, particularly in the cohesion and performances, "River's Edge" remains a compelling study of corroded behavior and hopelessness.

However, the technical presentation of this Blu Ray leaves much to be desired. Home theater enthusiasts might find fault with its visual and audio quality, which underperforms against modern standards. Despite these deficiencies, the deeply engaging thematic content of the film transcends its suboptimal presentation. Viewers who appreciate narrative over technical brilliance will find ample reason to overlook these shortcomings.

In conclusion, "River's Edge" is a peculiar film that may occasionally miss the mark in delivering its intended distress but offers an honest depiction of teen turmoil. Though the Blu Ray lacks the polish expected by high-end home theater setups, the inherent value of the film lies in its raw and compelling portrayal of teenage desolation. This makes it a recommended watch for those seeking more than just pristine technical execution.