Nobody's Fool 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Kino Lorber's 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Nobody's Fool" provides an intriguing case study in the capabilities and pitfalls of modern home video technology. Remastered in 4K by Paramount Pictures and available as a 4K Blu-ray/Blu-ray combo pack, this Region-Free release showcases significant technical prowess, especially when viewed with HDR or Dolby Vision enhancement. The remastering effort elevates the film's visual presentation, capitalizing on detail, contrast, and color richness that enhance the original camera work's naturalistic intentions. The presence of faint grain maintains the filmic texture, ensuring that John Bailey’s cinematography retains its intended aesthetic. Clarity, depth, shadow delineation, and color saturation all see notable improvements, making for a practically perfect image on the 4K UHD disc. However, it's important to recognize that certain screencaptures, especially those downscaled to 1080p for review purposes, do not fully represent the 2160p transfer’s qualities.

Despite these advancements, the release is not without its issues. A significant inconsistency in color grading detracts from the overall experience, with awkward shifts that manifest notably in the handling of whites and other primaries. These adjustments lead to a range of visual anomalies, affecting the film's temperature and fidelity. Scenes that should have benefitted from the richly added detail and contrast in places seem compromised by these color adjustments. For example, the interplay of light and shadow occasionally trades natural hues for less realistic tones, such as an unconvincing light cyan replacing grays. This inconsistency proves distracting across both viewing modes, undercutting some of the restoration's benefits.

The combination of cutting-edge clarity and contrast with these color grading missteps presents a mixed bag for enthusiasts and purists alike. The technical marvels accomplished with this release—highlighted by excellent grain handling and remarkable detail in close-ups and textures—stand alongside frustrating color inconsistencies. These discrepancies underscore the complexities of bringing classic films into the modern era of home cinema. While the Dolby Vision transfer does elevate the film's visual fidelity beyond its 1080p counterpart, offering a compelling reason for fans to upgrade, it's crucial for viewers to approach with measured expectations, particularly concerning color accuracy and stability.

The audio presentation of "Nobody's Fool" on 4K UHD Blu-ray features two main tracks: an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, with optional English SDH subtitles for enhanced accessibility. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is particularly notable for its remarkable sharpness, clarity, depth, and stability, which altogether provide an immersive auditory experience. There are no encoding anomalies detected, ensuring a flawless listening experience throughout the film. The soundtrack complements the visual elements excellently, offering gentle yet effective dynamic contrasts that enrich the overall viewing pleasure.

Although "Nobody's Fool" is considered a quieter film, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix significantly enhances its dramatic impact. The majority of the audio is directed through the front channels, but Howard Shore's lyrical score benefits from a delightful surround presence, creating an engaging auditory environment. The audio track handles a wide dynamic range effortlessly, presenting highs and lows with no distortion. Sonic details, including environmental sounds and specific actions within scenes, are rendered with precision. These elements range from subtle effects like footsteps in snow and background diner noises to more pronounced sounds like shattering glass and a single gunshot, all of which are distinct and contribute to the film’s immersive atmosphere.

Additionally, the dialogue is consistently clear and comprehensible, ensuring that viewers remain engaged with the narrative without strain. While the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo track offers a nod to the original theatrical experience, opting for the multi-channel surround sound of the 5.1 track presents an undeniably superior auditory experience. This is primarily due to the enriched presence of the score in surround sound, which adds a simple yet significant layer of enjoyment to the film. Overall, the audio tracks provided with this 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Nobody's Fool" uphold a high standard of quality that enhances the viewing experience in a very tangible manner.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Nobody's Fool" supplements enrich the viewing experience by offering detailed insights into the film's creation, from its narrative roots to production intricacies. Notable among the extras, the audio commentary by filmmaker and critic Jim Hemphill serves as a comprehensive guide through the film's journey, dissecting shooting challenges, character development, and thematic layers with anecdotes from cast and crew, even delving into director Robert Benton's inspirations and filmmaking style. Complementing this are two exclusive featurettes: one with actress Catherine Dent, who shares her experiences and reflections on working alongside Paul Newman and Benton; and another with author Richard Russo, discussing the autobiographical essence of his novel, the transition to screen, and Newman's embodiment of the protagonist. While a featurette was omitted in this release, the remaining content, including a nostalgic trailer, provides a rounded appreciation for the film's legacy and craftsmanship.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Exclusive new commentary by Jim Hemphill, covering an array of topics related to the film's production and legacy.
• Nobody's Fool: A Conversation with Catherine Dent: The actress discusses her role, experiences on set, and working with Paul Newman.
• The Origins of Nobody's Fool: A Conversation with Richard Russo: An engaging exploration of the novel’s creation, its adaptation process, and insights into characters portrayed in the film.
• Theatrical Trailer: A vintage trailer offering a glimpse into the film's original promotion.

Robert Benton's "Nobody's Fool" has been meticulously upgraded to 4K UHD Blu-ray by Kino Lorber, enhancing the visual and auditory experience of this warm, wonderfully understated film. Celebrating nearly three decades since its original release, the film features a stellar performance by Paul Newman as Sully, an aging, curmudgeonly charmer in a sleepy New York town. Alongside Newman, an impressive ensemble cast including Bruce Willis, Melanie Griffith, and Jessica Tandy in her final role, brings to life the rich tapestry of small-town dynamics and relationships. The 4K presentation, encoded with 2160p/HEVC H.265 video with Dolby Vision HDR and available with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, ensures that viewers appreciate the subtle textures of Benton’s storytelling and Newman’s nuanced performance with unprecedented clarity and depth.

The story, adapted from Richard Russo's novel, navigates themes of redemption, community bonds, and the passage of time with a delicate balance of humor and poignancy. Newman's portrayal of Sully—a flawed yet deeply beloved figure who reluctantly reflects on his life choices when his estranged son returns to town—is particularly compelling. The film’s slow-paced, intimate direction allows for a rich exploration of character dynamics, showcasing Benton’s skill in crafting deeply human stories. Despite its potential for sentimentality, "Nobody's Fool" remains grounded in realistic emotions and relationships, resonating strongly with audiences seeking genuine portrayals of life's complexities.

This release is supplemented with insightful new programs featuring Catherine Dent and writer Richard Russo, alongside a commentary by filmmaker and critic Jim Hemphill. These additions offer valuable context to the film's enduring legacy and its impact on contemporary cinema. While "Nobody's Fool" navigates familiar thematic territory, its execution is anything but ordinary. The film’s exploration of life's second chances, coupled with standout performances and Benton’s tender direction, makes it a memorable cinematic experience. This 4K UHD presentation not only serves as a tribute to the film’s significance but also reaffirms its status as a poignant, timeless exploration of human frailty and resilience.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Nobody's Fool" is a mixed bag that is both commendable for its efforts and frustrating due to noticeable issues. The film, one of Paul Newman's last outstanding performances, serves as a tender exploration of interpersonal dynamics and small-town intricacies. Robert Benton's direction shines, balancing subtle emotions and humor against a backdrop of remarkable acting. The transfer to 4K UHD by Kino has been done with evident respect for the film's undervalued legacy, featuring a superior Dolby Vision transfer, satisfying multi-channel audio, and an attractively curated collection of extras. However, despite these strengths, the presentation is not without its downsides.

The technical execution of the 4K makeover presents unavoidable grading inconsistencies which, to the discerning eye, detract from what could have been a flawless viewing experience. These imperfections are hard to ignore for those familiar with the film's intended visual aesthetic, casting a shadow over both native 4K and 1080p viewing options. The advice to prospective buyers to await a sale underscores the mixed feelings that this release evokes—a combination of appreciation for its overall quality and disappointment in its technical shortcomings.

In conclusion, while the 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Nobody's Fool" showcases an earnest attempt to honor an often-overlooked cinema classic with the latest in home video technology, it stumbles due to technical missteps. Despite this, the release remains significant for those who value nuanced storytelling and compelling performances. It represents both a celebration of the film's enduring qualities and a reminder of the challenges inherent in transferring works to the ever-evolving 4K format. Collectors and fans may find enough value in the improvements and extra features to overlook its faults, but it serves as a cautious reminder to temper expectations with reality.