The River Why Blu-ray Review

"The River Why" is presented on Blu-ray in a 1080i, AVC-encoded transfer that beautifully captures the scenic Oregon landscape, shot using the Red One digital camera by Karsten Crash Gopinath. This high-definition transfer, adhering to a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, delivers exceptional detail and depth of field, qualities further enhanced by conservative post-processing at the digital intermediate stage. This results in natural, vivid colors without the overly saturated look often seen in contemporary visual presentations. Essential elements such as black levels are handled excellently, crucial for maintaining image quality during the many night scenes depicted in the film.

Despite the encoding at 1080i instead of the more preferable 1080p, the image quality remains impressive with minimal observable interlaced artifacts such as combing during playback. The choice of 1080i does not detract significantly from the viewing experience, as the transfer maintains a sharp, clean, and crisp image throughout the film. This is particularly notable in the diverse outdoor settings where the transfer highlights minute details—from individual leaves to splashing water droplets with remarkable clarity. However, minor banding appears during a few dark underwater scenes, which is a slight deviation from the otherwise pristine presentation.

Overall, "The River Why" benefits from the Red One's high technical capabilities and responsible digital processing, offering viewers a near-exemplary visual experience that accentuates the natural beauty of its settings. Although the 1080i format introduces slight limitations, the Blu-ray still comes close to perfection with little to no edge enhancement, DNR, aliasing, or artifacts affecting the overall viewing pleasure.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray for "The River Why" has garnered mixed reviews largely due to its subdued DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Notably, the track's volume is noticeably lower, requiring viewers to increase their usual listening level by at least +5db. However, caution is advised as the rest of the disc, including extras and the Image logo, do not exhibit the same low volume and may thus play unexpectedly louder. The sound design leverages environmental nuances, particularly during outdoor scenes where the ambient sounds of the river, forest, and related environments envelop the listener. These scenes ingeniously utilize surround and rear channels to create an immersive auditory experience.

That said, the audio experience is predominantly restrained in other settings, with the surround channels barely activated outside of natural environments. Dialogue is clear and articulated well once the volume adjustment is made, but it remains quieter than other elements in the mix. The soundtrack by Austin Wintory is, intentionally or not, unobtrusive and supportive of the film's atmosphere. However, a notable weakness in the audio mix is the lack of low-frequency effects, rendering subwoofers underutilized throughout much of the film. In summary, while the audio track excels in delivering a natural soundscape during outdoor scenes, it is overall subdued and demands additional volume adjustments to ensure clarity and impact.

The Blu-ray extras of "The River Why" offer a mixed bag of content that may appeal to various audience segments. The Interviews section provides nearly 40 minutes of footage featuring the principal cast and crew, including Amber Heard, Kathleen Quinlan, William Hurt, Zach Gilford, producer Kristi Denton Cohen, writer Thomas A. Cohen, and director Matthew Leutwyler. While informative, the editing is abrupt, and the video quality is subpar, with issues like macro-blocking being noticeable. This section tends to reiterate the plot frequently, potentially diminishing its overall appeal. However, the Theatrical Trailer is engaging and effectively captures the essence of the film in under three minutes, offering a succinct summary for those who have yet to see it.

Extras included in this disc:

• Interviews: Series of interviews with cast and crew, though poorly edited and presented.
• Theatrical Trailer: A lively trailer summarizing the film concisely.

"The River Why" is an exploration of a young man's journey, anchored heavily by fishing metaphors that aim to signify broader life themes. Zach Gilford stars as Gus Orviston, a young man who abandons the suffocating environment created by his combative parents – brought to life authentically by William Hurt and Kathleen Quinlan – to seek solitude and self-discovery along Oregon's scenic rivers. Gus's father, a renowned fly fisherman, and his mother's opposing practical approach create the backdrop of familial discord. The narrative is enhanced by Gus's encounters with locals like Dutch Hines and the philosophical Titus, who both nudge him towards deeper existential queries.

Despite strong performances from the cast, the film’s reliance on excessive narration detracts from its cinematic potential. Unlike "Fight Club," where narration adds a stylistic layer, here it feels more like an instructional guide, hindering the visual storytelling. The screenplay often lapses into predictability - notably in the romance between Gus and Eddy, played by Amber Heard. Their relationship, while pivotal, follows a formulaic path common in coming-of-age dramas.

The movie's episodic nature reflects Gus's exploration but struggles to escape comparisons to Robert Redford's "A River Runs Through It." While both films pivot around fishing as a metaphor for life's journey, "The River Why" concludes on a note of optimism and unfolding promise, contrasting the resigned reflections found in Redford's narrative. Though thematically rich and visually engaging, "The River Why" may resonate more with fishing enthusiasts than those seeking a profound cinematic experience.

"The River Why" Blu-ray presents a visually stunning film that highlights the beauty of nature, albeit wrapped in a somewhat lackluster narrative. The film’s countryside cinematography is truly impressive, capturing the essence of the novel's portrayal of the natural world. These scenes benefit significantly from the high-definition treatment, bringing lush landscapes and serene flowing waters to vibrant life. Despite the picture's stunning clarity and detail, the audio quality leaves much to be desired, lacking the depth and immersion one might expect from a high-quality soundtrack. The real striking element here is the pronounced contrast between the visual and aural presentations.

Unfortunately, "The River Why" loses momentum with its screenplay, which is riddled with clichés and predictable character arcs. This is surprising given the presence of both Oscar-winning and Oscar-nominated talent within its cast. One hopes for a richer narrative experience, but instead, the film feels more akin to a made-for-television movie that somehow gained a theatrical budget. The actors deliver competent performances, yet they are hindered by a script that fails to provide depth or freshness to the storyline.

Ironically for a film centered around life's essentials and the simplicity of nature, "The River Why" became embroiled in a complex lawsuit initiated by the novel’s author, Duncan James Hearst. He claimed that producers hadn't properly secured rights for the adaptation. Although a settlement was reached allowing production to continue, Hearst's name does not grace the credits – a poignant reflection on the convoluted reality behind promoting nature's simplicity via modern means.

For its technical merits, the Blu-ray is worth seeing, especially if you have an appreciation for visually arresting films. However, given its narrative shortcomings, this is a movie best rented first to gauge if it resonates with you.