Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded 1.78:1 aspect ratio image for "Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?" offers a moderate HD boost in its Blu-ray debut. While detailing isn’t exceptionally strong, it effectively highlights certain aspects like the artificiality of Hoffman's make-up and generally textured locations. The 70s color palette is expressive with era-specific clothing providing the most vivid push of primaries. Although colors often appear faded, intentional flourishes are periodically noticeable. Film grain is present without overwhelming noise, maintaining the film's soft photography essence, yet some finer details are inevitably lost.

The 1080p transfer effectively maintains strong primary colors and balanced flesh tones, though some scenes exhibit fading attributed to both intentional artistic choices and aging. The print is largely in decent condition, with only mild speckling during the opening credits and scenes involving optical effects. The transfer manages acceptable delineation, although it rarely stands out. Black levels vary, offering inky moments with notable depth while occasionally suffering from crush issues. Banding appears periodically and edge enhancement is noticeable but not ubiquitous. All things considered, the Blu-ray presentation is decent; fans of the film should find the video quality satisfactory.

The DTS-HD MA 2.0 audio presentation of "Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?" reveals a mixed experience in terms of clarity and quality. The mix occasionally struggles with shrillness, where highs can become overly sharp, especially during heated emotional scenes or musical performances. Although dialogue remains consistently clear, the fluctuating levels require manual volume adjustments to balance the listening experience. Atmospherics, though somewhat blunt, manage to convey the urban density and fantastical elements effectively.

However, certain scenes, particularly those set in rooms with high ceilings, exhibit a tinny sound quality. While sound effects are generally well-balanced, the audio can sometimes flatten out or become too sharp. Notable moments, such as the concert performance by Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show, maintain a decent level of quality but feel flat, likely due to informal recording methods used at the time. On a positive note, the inclusion of Shel Silverstein's songs is handled well, bringing a noteworthy highlight to an otherwise average mix. Despite its imperfections, the audio track manages to deliver a mostly intelligible and engaging experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?" is severely lacking in supplementary materials, which is a potential disappointment for fans and collectors who often relish additional content that enriches the viewing experience. This release contrasts starkly with modern expectations where extensive behind-the-scenes content, director commentary, and featurettes are standard. Unfortunately, the only extra available on the disc is a high-definition trailer of 'True Confessions'. Despite the impeccable technical quality of the film's presentation, the absence of any meaningful extras is a missed opportunity to provide contextual background or insights into the making of the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• 'True Confessions' Trailer: High-definition trailer of the film 'True Confessions'.

The Blu-ray release of "Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?" presents an intriguing yet polarizing entry in Dustin Hoffman's filmography. Directed by Ulu Grosbard and scripted by Herb Gardner, the 1971 film charts the mental disintegration of Georgie Soloway (Hoffman), a successful but emotionally hollow pop songwriter. Despite the promising premise, the film becomes an indulgent exercise, prioritizing Hoffman's performance over narrative coherence. The experimental, stream-of-consciousness approach alienates viewers without a keen interest in countercultural or non-sequitur storytelling.

While Hoffman's portrayal of Soloway is undeniably captivating, the film suffers from a lack of clear direction and meaningful structure. Grosbard's handling of Georgie's psychological turmoil lacks depth, resulting in a repetitive exploration of his inability to love himself or others. Characters such as Dr. Solomon Moses (Jack Warden) and dream girl Allison (Barbara Harris) feel underutilized, failing to provide substantial support to Hoffman's central performance. Consequently, the narrative becomes a string of fragmented moments rather than a cohesive story, diluting its impact and leaving viewers longing for more substance and clarity.

The film's strength lies in its strong performances and innovative soundtrack by Shel Silverstein, which initially promises a darkly comedic tone but ultimately devolves into a thin dramatic comedy. The opening suicide note sequence demonstrates the film's potential but sets unrealistic expectations for the rest of the runtime. Despite Hoffman's impressive acting skills, "Who Is Harry Kellerman?" feels more like an elongated one-act play than a fully realized movie, struggling to maintain engagement beyond its initial scenes. This Blu-ray release is best suited for dedicated Hoffman aficionados or those with a specific interest in 1970s countercultural cinema.

'Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?' is presented on Blu-ray by Kino Lorber with a technically competent A/V transfer. Despite this, the film itself has significant issues maintaining the creative momentum it introduces in its early scenes. The dark humor that initially holds promise gradually dissipates, leaving the narrative directionless. Dustin Hoffman's performance is a notable highlight; his improvisational style adds an interesting layer to the otherwise thin script. Yet, his performance alone cannot elevate the movie to greatness.

A strikingly eerie scene involving a plane and a New York City skyscraper stands out, not for its intended effect but for its uncanny foreshadowing of real-world events. This segment, while unintended to resonate in such a manner, becomes the film's most memorable moment, underscoring the feature's overall struggle with pacing and cohesion. The Blu-ray release is sparse in additional content, offering only a trailer for another film as an extra feature.

In conclusion, Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? has moments of potential but ultimately falls short of being compelling cinema. With Hoffman's commendable effort and an acceptable technical presentation, it might warrant a curious rental. However, it doesn't justify a blind purchase due to its inconsistent execution and lack of substantial extras.