Larry Crowne Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "Larry Crowne" provides a generally satisfactory visual experience. The use of a 1080p/VC-1 codec within the 2.40:1 frame delivers a picture that is sharp and stable, maintaining noticeable definition in both the foreground and background. The colors are bold, enhancing the film's comedic tone, while facial complexions retain a natural and revealing texture. The contrast levels are spot-on, offering excellent visibility, especially in well-lit scenes, and the richly rendered blacks add depth with an attractive cinematic appeal.

However, there are notable inconsistencies in quality. Although some scenes provide vivid primaries and deep saturation with lifelike highlights, other parts of the film exhibit a curious softness and drabness that undermine the overall look. This is particularly evident in extended nighttime sequences where issues with crush become apparent. Despite having close-ups that offer high-definition detail occasionally, these instances are not consistent throughout the entire movie, rendering the experience somewhat pallid and lackluster.

In conclusion, while the "Larry Crowne" Blu-ray exhibits elements of a solid video presentation with satisfactory balance and pleasing aesthetics, it does not entirely avoid shortcomings. The visual appeal fluctuates with occasional softness and mediocre color performance, ultimately making it an average entry in Universal's newer releases. This affable presentation has moments of clarity and stability but fails to leave a lasting impression.

The lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack of "Larry Crowne" efficiently handles the dialogue-driven nature of this comedy with a robust and satisfying audio presentation. Vocal reproduction through the center channel is consistently smooth and free from stridence, ensuring dialogue is clear and easily comprehensible. The front-oriented surround mix features a wide soundstage with opulent detail, while atmospheric ambience is delicately mixed into the rear channels, adding a subtle but effective venue-replicating envelopment and enhancing the music's presence.

Throughout the film, source cues effectively spill into the surround channels, contributing to a lively and engaging auditory experience. Specific moments, such as the buzzing of scooters and various ambient effects during college and café sequences, demonstrate well-placed directionality and immersive qualities. While the film doesn't demand excessive sonic bombast, this careful prioritization ensures that dialogue remains front and center, always intelligible and well-prioritized.

However, some sound elements like birds chirping or public commotion can come off as a bit sudden and localized, which may detract slightly from the overall immersive experience. The front soundstage remains the highlight, delivering warm and inviting audio where whispers and conversations are clearly rendered. Although it doesn't boast action-heavy scenes, mid-range sounds are sharply defined, and low bass provides appropriate weight in key moments. Overall, this DTS-HD Master Audio track fulfills its role effectively without major issues or complaints.

The Extras section of the "Larry Crowne" Blu Ray provides a modest but engaging suite of features that offer behind-the-scenes insights and additional content for fans. The deleted scenes, running for approximately 8 minutes, provide tonally ambiguous and sometimes emotionally enriching moments, especially in the firing sequence and interactions featuring Bryan Cranston and Julia Roberts. The making-of featurette, a promotional piece at around 11 minutes, includes interviews with the cast and crew, discussing the script, character development, and Tom Hanks' dual role as director and actor, as well as the film's cultural pertinence. "Fun on Set," another 10-minute featurette, showcases the light-hearted atmosphere on set, including unique moments like a Script Supervisor teaching knitting to the crew. These extras comprehensively supplement the viewing experience, providing valuable context and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the production.

Extras included in this disc:

Deleted Scenes: Various scenes offering additional context and emotion.

The Making of Larry Crowne: A promotional piece with cast & crew interviews.

Fun on the Set: Clips showcasing the humorous set environment.

My Scenes Bookmark Feature: Allows viewers to bookmark favorite scenes.

Pocket BLU: Mobile app integration for enhanced viewing.

BD-Live Enabled: Access to additional online content.

"Larry Crowne," directed by and starring Tom Hanks, is a light-hearted dramedy about a middle-aged man navigating life's unexpected downturns. After being downsized from his long-time job due to a lack of a college degree, Larry enrolls in community college to rejuvenate his career prospects. Here, he encounters an eclectic group of scooter enthusiasts and sparks an unexpected connection with his public-speaking professor, Mercedes Tainot (played by Julia Roberts). While both Hanks and Roberts deliver competent performances, the film's narrative struggles with tonal inconsistencies. Scenes meant to evoke emotional gravity often succumb to sitcom-like pseudo-comedy, undermining potential resonance.

Hanks' portrayal of Larry Crowne is imbued with an affable charm, creating a character so optimistic that his eventual rebound feels inevitable, thus diminishing the stakes and suspense of his journey. The screenplay by Hanks and Nia Vardalos fails to provide a cohesive narrative flow, oscillating between quirkiness and drama without fully committing to either. This results in a superficial exploration of themes like mid-life reinvention and economic hardship. Roberts’ turn as the disillusioned professor is one of the film’s brighter points, albeit within a framework that lacks depth and complexity.

The film's other characters and subplots fail to add substantive value, often devolving into caricatures or artificial quirks that contribute little to the overall narrative. Cedric the Entertainer’s role as Larry's lottery-winning neighbor and Gugu Mbatha-Raw's exuberant student Talia are prime examples, introducing elements that feel more contrived than integral. Despite Hanks’ notable directorial efforts in films like "That Thing You Do!", "Larry Crowne" falls short, leaving viewers with a mildly pleasant, though ultimately forgettable, cinematic experience.

"Larry Crowne," directed by Tom Hanks and co-written with Nia Vardalos, aims to explore themes of self-discovery against the backdrop of a recession. Featuring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts, the film disappoints by not leveraging the potential of its star-studded cast. Hanks plays Larry Crowne, a man forced to reinvent his life after being downsized, while Roberts dons the role of a disenfranchised college instructor. Despite this promising setup, the narrative lacks depth and novelty, resulting in a rather uninspired romantic dramedy.

The Blu-ray edition of "Larry Crowne" does offer commendable audio and video quality. The visual experience is clear and vibrant, providing an aesthetically pleasing watch. Similarly, the audio presentation ensures clarity and enhances the viewing experience subtly. Unfortunately, the supplementary materials fall short of adding value. The extras are primarily filler content, with only one deleted scene that stands out. This deficiency in engaging bonus materials further detracts from the Blu-ray edition’s overall appeal.

In conclusion, unless you are a fervent fan of Hanks or Roberts, "Larry Crowne" might not justify an outright purchase. The film itself does not capitalize on its promising premise nor its talented lead actors, making it more of a missed opportunity than a compelling watch. Given its lackluster additional content, renting it first might be a more prudent choice for most viewers.