And Everything Is Going Fine Blu-ray Review

Steven Soderbergh's "And Everything Is Going Fine" is presented on Blu-ray by Criterion with a meticulous attention to maintaining the original essence of Spalding Gray's archival footage. The video is delivered in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, utilizing an MPEG-4 AVC encoding at 1080i resolution. This presentation is a careful upconversion of the original NTSC videotapes, which were digitized and scaled to 2K, while preserving the source's original frame rate and aspect ratio. Despite the inherent limitations of the source material, significant effort has been made in the upconversion process to enhance sharpness and reduce noise without compromising the authenticity of the original recordings.

The inherent quality of the footage varies significantly, which is to be expected given its archival nature. The compilation consists predominantly of standard definition materials that have been upscaled. Detail and clarity fluctuate across different pieces, with color and contrast levels remaining mostly adequate considering the limitations. Despite these challenges, the conversion and noise reduction efforts are evident, providing a visual experience that is as refined as possible within these constraints. The presentation retains a faithful adherence to the original recordings, including their imperfections, which adds to the documentary's authenticity and historical value.

Viewers should temper their expectations regarding traditional high-definition clarity and detail, as this release focuses on accurately representing Gray's work with as little alteration as possible. The Criterion release admirably achieves this goal, ensuring that the visual quality reflects the condition of the archival materials used. This approach underscores a respect for the original source content and Spalding Gray's legacy, making it clear that the primary aim is to preserve rather than enhance. This release is region-A locked, necessitating compatible playback equipment for viewing.

The Blu-ray release of "And Everything Is Going Fine" presents its audio in a linear PCM mono track, which, stemming from original monaural source elements meticulously mixed by Larry Blake, strives to deliver the essence of its dialog-driven content with clarity and precision. Accompanied by optional English SDH subtitles, the singular track aims to maintain the purity and integrity of the spoken word, crucial for a film largely composed of monologues and interviews with the captivating Gray. Despite the inherent limitations in dynamic range attributed to the source material, the audio output achieves a level of serviceability that ensures dialogues are crisp, clean, and stable without any noticeable dropouts, distortions, or skips.

The LPCM 1.0 track handles the various qualities of archival clips with a competence that underscores the importance of Gray’s eloquence and emotional depth. While the older segments might betray a variability in fidelity, Gray’s voice remains comprehensibly central throughout, occasionally exhibiting a thin or muffled quality yet never losing its audibility or significance. The minimalistic audio design focuses squarely on delivering Gray's poignant narratives without unnecessary distraction. Additionally, Forrest Gray's musical score adds a moving emotional layer to the presentation, benefiting from the track's solid range and fidelity, ensuring that its stirring themes resonate well within the mono confines.

In essence, "And Everything Is Going Fine" on Blu-ray accomplishes what it sets out to do with its audio presentation. It provides a clear and uninterrupted conduit for Gray's rich narratives and thoughtful interviews. The sound track, though basic in its mono format, effectively supports the film’s intimately dialog-driven nature, ensuring every word and nuance of Gray’s performances are accessible to the audience. This careful balance between fidelity to the original recordings and the practical necessity of clear audio translation is commendable, highlighting the disc's audio capabilities within its technical constraints.

The extra features of the Blu-ray edition of "And Everything Is Going Fine" offer an insightful and comprehensive look into the making and essence of this unique documentary. The crown jewel is the inclusion of Spalding Gray's original monologue "Sex and Death to the Age of 14", presented in an upscaled 1080i format, capturing Gray's unparalleled storytelling and wit. Accompanied by a detailed "Making Of" featurette in lucid 1080p that delves into the film's production through interviews with luminaries like Steven Soderbergh, it sheds light on the creative process and the challenges faced during editing. Additionally, the inclusion of the original trailer and a meticulously illustrated booklet with an essay by Nell Casey adds further depth, providing viewers with a holistic understanding of Gray's work and its cinematic homage.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Original trailer for And Everything Is Going Fine, presented in upscaled 1080i with Dolby Digital 2.0 sound.
• Sex and Death to the Age 14: Spalding Gray's first monologue, filmed in 1982, showcasing his narrative skill on themes of sex and death, in upscaled 1080i.
• The Making of And Everything Is Going Fine: Interviews with Steven Soderbergh and others in crisp 1080p, exploring the intricate production and editorial decisions behind the documentary.
• Booklet: An illustrated companion featuring an insightful essay by Nell Casey on Spalding Gray's journals.

Steven Soderbergh’s "And Everything Is Going Fine" is a compelling amalgamation of archival footage, presenting an intimate portrayal of Spalding Gray through his own monologues and interviews. This Criterion Collection release, exclusive to Region-A, showcases not merely a documentary but a vivid canvas of Gray's life—from his humorous anecdotes to the more somber reflections on his mental health struggles and the tragic theme of suicide that runs through his personal history and family life. Noteworthy is the editorial decision by Soderbergh and editor Susan Littenberg to rely solely on existing footage, eschewing new interviews or filmed segments, thereby allowing Gray’s own voice and presence to narrate his story authentically.

The film stands out for its raw and unfiltered glimpse into the vulnerabilities and talents of Spalding Gray. As much a celebration of his unique storytelling prowess as it is a frank examination of his personal demons, the movie deftly balances light-hearted moments with profound introspection. The use of live performance footage adds a dynamic layer to the presentation, allowing viewers to experience the immediate reactions of Gray and his audience. The editing work is commendable, sifting through 90 hours of material to present a curated yet seamless narrative that remains engaging throughout.

Soderbergh’s direction remains discreet yet impactful, piecing together disparate segments of Gray’s life into a cohesive whole that respects the subject’s legacy while confronting the complexities of his persona. The absence of contemporary scenes or commentary offers a pure, undistorted reflection on Gray's contributions and challenges, making "And Everything Is Going Fine" not just a documentary, but a poignant homage to storytelling itself. It successfully captures the essence of Spalding Gray’s artistic journey and personal tribulations, rendering a vivid portrait that is both deeply moving and unsettlingly honest. This Criterion Blu-ray edition, with its supplementary features including an insightful booklet essay and exclusive interviews, is an essential collection for aficionados and newcomers alike eager to delve into the multifaceted narrative of Gray’s life and legacy.

Steven Soderbergh’s tribute to Spalding Gray, "And Everything Is Going Fine," stands as a compelling and thorough examination of Gray's life and artistic journey, utilizing archived footage to construct what feels like a final, posthumous monologue from the monologist himself. This film is not only a tribute but a necessity for admirers of Gray and those interested in monologue as a form of storytelling. Soderbergh, through a meticulous curation of footage, allows Gray to narrate his story, integrating humor, poignancy, and a touching honesty that underscores the universality of his themes. Despite inherent technical limitations—the film primarily sources from standard definition video tapes, resulting in a video transfer that lacks high-definition sharpness, and an audio mix that does its best with the original recordings—the essence of Gray's performances is preserved, making it an essential viewing experience.

The Blu-ray presentation of "And Everything Is Going Fine" may not dazzle with modern high definition audio-visual standards, yet it succeeds in delivering a faithful and meaningful representation of the original material. The lack of extensive special features is mitigated by the inclusion of insightful interviews and an additional monologue that complement the main feature well, enriching the overall understanding of Gray's work and his impact on storytelling and performance art. This release, while technically modest, is thoroughly recommended for its significant cinematic and historical value, capturing the essence of Spalding Gray's unique narrative voice.

In conclusion, "And Everything Is Going Fine" is a meticulously crafted homage to Spalding Gray, encapsulating his profound impact on monologue and performance art through his own words and performances. Despite technical limitations stemming from the source material’s nature, the Blu-ray presentation is handled with care, ensuring viewers receive an authentic experience of Gray's work. It stands as an invaluable addition both to fans of Gray and aficionados of documentary filmmaking, highly recommended for its heartfelt exploration and preservation of a truly singular talent.