Mysterious Skin Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Mysterious Skin" offers a reasonably well-executed video transfer utilizing a 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 encoded image in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The transfer manages to highlight Gregg Araki’s directorial style, particularly his frequent use of close-ups. Facial features are generally well-detailed and clear, with interior decorations and background details also rendered effectively, although occasionally muddled in wider shots. The presentation maintains respectable shadow detail during nighttime sequences, supported by strong contrast and full-bodied blacks that avoid distracting crush or banding. The colors remain bright and vibrant, with a pronounced appeal that enhances thematic storytelling through varied hues and natural skintones.

However, the transfer does exhibit some minor flaws. Mild print damage, speckling, and judder are occasionally noticeable. Additionally, slight filtering to control grain has been employed, resulting in an artificially smooth texture in certain scenes. This can sometimes lend the film a somewhat plastic quality, which may ironically enhance its symbolic undertones but detracts from an authentically filmic experience. Despite these issues, the basics—detail, color, and contrast—are generally well-handled, making for a satisfactory viewing experience that aptly channels Araki’s visual sensibilities.

Overall, while not flawless, the video transfer of "Mysterious Skin" on Blu-ray delivers an engaging visual presentation that captures the essence of Araki’s approach. It effectively balances detail and color against minor technical imperfections, ensuring that most viewers will find it a pleasing viewing experience.

The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio sound mix for "Mysterious Skin" delivers an immersive and meticulously crafted auditory experience. From the outset, the sound design effectively utilizes the surrounds, with the score gently flowing and evenly dispersed, creating a cohesive sonic environment. Dialogue is impressively clear and distinct, maintaining a crisp read of voices that enhances the emotional potency of the performances. Front channels convey the bulk of the dialogue, ensuring that it remains front and center, while the lateral speakers handle the music with admirable finesse, bolstered by subtle low-frequency effects (LFE) that add depth without overwhelming.

Atmospheric elements and crowd noises are well integrated, enveloping the listener in a balanced mix that never detracts from the core narrative. The dynamic range is carefully managed; low-end elements are present but controlled, allowing soundtrack selections to shine without overpowering. This nuanced approach maintains the film’s delicate mood while accommodating more intense scenes seamlessly. Additionally, the isolated score and effects track provide an excellent resource for those interested in studying the film’s intricate soundscape.

Overall, this DTS-HD mix accentuates the film's subtleties, blending the score and dialogue to create a thoroughly immersive experience. Occasional engagement of the rear channels adds atmospheric depth, particularly effective during nighttime outdoor sequences. The mix highlights the film’s tremendous use of music and dialogue, presenting a balanced and engaging auditory profile that complements the visual storytelling.

The Blu Ray release of "Mysterious Skin" offers an impressive set of extras that provide deep insights into the film’s production and its broader impact. Highlights include a captivating commentary with director Gregg Araki, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Brady Corbet that delves into the technical and creative aspects of the film. The Conversation at Sundance 2014 is enriching, showcasing the rapport between the actors and their reflections on the production. Novelist Scott Heim's reflective piece offers a nostalgic look back at the book’s adaptation process. Deleted scenes and audition tapes further enrich understanding of the film’s creative journey, while the Script/Sketches Gallery and comprehensive Photo Gallery provide visual appreciation. The Mysterious Skin Book Reading is a standout feature, illustrating the adaptation's fidelity to its source material with engaging performances.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Director Gregg Araki, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Brady Corbet: Insights into the technical and creative aspects.
• Conversation with Brady Corbet and Joseph Gordon-Levitt at Sundance 2014: In-depth discussion on production memories and philosophies.
• Novelist Scott Heim Reflects 10 Years Later: Author's perspective on the adaptation process.
• Script/Sketches Gallery: Contains storyboard ideas.
• Deleted Scenes: Additional footage with Neil and young Neil, and Halloween sequence.
• 'Mysterious Skin' Book Reading: Actors and director recreate scenes from Heim’s novel.
• Audition Tape: Early footage of Corbet and Gordon-Levitt.
• Photo Gallery: A collection of 46 production photos.
• International Trailer: Promotional video for global audiences.

Gregg Araki's adaptation of Scott Heim's novel, "Mysterious Skin," reflects a departure from Araki's typically brazen style, delving into complex themes of sexual abuse, identity, and fractured memories with remarkable sensitivity. Set in distinct time periods, the narrative explores the disparate lives of two protagonists, Neil (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Brian (Brady Corbet), who grapple with the aftermath of their molestation by a little league coach (Bill Sage). Neil retreats into a life of male hustling, finding a distorted sense of power through repeated acts of exploitation, while Brian becomes fixated on extraterrestrials as a psychological respite from his trauma. Araki's cinematic inspection remarkably conveys despair and misguided desire without repelling the viewer.

The film's portrayal of abuse is strikingly direct yet avoids sensationalism, focusing instead on the lasting ramifications for both characters. Neil's entanglement with older men and Brian’s alien abduction fantasy illustrate contrasting means of coping, both deeply unsettling and poignantly human. Araki captures their internal battles with great nuance, supported by Steve Gainer’s compelling cinematography and ethereal scoring from Harold Budd and Robin Guthrie. The atmospheric elements articulate rage and confusion, grounding the film's emotional resonance. However, some characters such as Neil's friends Wendy (Michelle Trachtenberg) and Eric (Jeff Licon), and their parents (Elisabeth Shue and Chris Mulkey) feel underdeveloped, providing mere background noise rather than influential presences.

"Mysterious Skin" stands out for its emotional depth and sophisticated narrative structure, challenging viewers to confront difficult topics through the lenses of its tormented protagonists. Araki's careful tonal balance ensures that the movie remains both accessible and profoundly moving. The story’s semi-lucid progression invites the audience to uncover unsettling truths alongside the characters, culminating in a denouement that eschews easy answers in favor of ongoing, nuanced reflection on trauma and recovery. This sensitive yet unflinching approach underscores the film’s enduring poignancy and its place as Araki’s most accomplished work.

Gregg Araki's "Mysterious Skin," now available on a superb 10th anniversary Blu-ray edition, represents a significant milestone in indie cinema and showcases Joseph Gordon-Levitt's early potential, which he has since solidified with subsequent work. This Blu-ray provides an immaculate way to revisit or discover the film, highlighting Araki's ability to handle complex themes with sensitivity and insight. The loss and trauma explored in the narrative come across more profoundly with time, perhaps needing an initial period to fully resonate as one of Araki's most distinguished works.

The disc offers a commendable visual experience with above-average picture quality that effectively preserves the film's deliberate aesthetic choices. The sound quality is equally strong, ensuring an immersive experience that enhances the emotional and psychological depths of the story. Furthermore, the edition is complemented by excellent supplements that provide additional context and value for both new viewers and those familiar with the film.

Interestingly, "Mysterious Skin" did not initially garner unanimous acclaim, but it has aged gracefully into a cinematic piece worthy of reevaluation. Joseph Gordon-Levitt's raw, intense performance reveals layers of vulnerability that solidified his credibility as an actor. Araki's handling of sensitive subjects showcases his good taste in the face of harsh realities, making this Blu-Ray reissue an essential addition for collectors and cinephiles alike.