Short Cuts Blu-ray Review
Score: 87
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
Criterion's Blu-ray release of Robert Altman's *Short Cuts*, sourced from a new 4K restoration, offers an outstanding audio/visual experience and comprehensive extras.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 88
Robert Altman's *Short Cuts* arrives on Blu-ray with a Criterion-restored 4K digital transfer, maintaining the 2.35:1 aspect ratio and 1080p resolution. The restoration, executed with advanced scanning and various noise management techniques, offers superior depth, color reproduction, and stability, enhancing the viewing experience significantly.
Audio: 88
The Blu-ray of 'Short Cuts' features English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and 5.1 tracks, both offering clarity and stability without age-related imperfections. The 2.0 track impresses with well-balanced music and clear dialogue, while the 5.1 track slightly enhances spatial dynamics, especially during jazz performances.
Extra: 86
The Criterion Blu-ray release of "Short Cuts" boasts a comprehensive array of extra features, including two documentaries, deleted scenes, music demos from renowned artists, extensive marketing materials, and insightful interviews, offering an in-depth exploration of Robert Altman’s LA epic and Raymond Carver's literary legacy.
Movie: 86
Robert Altman's 'Short Cuts' Blu-ray release by Criterion presents a vivid and multifaceted exploration of interconnected lives in 1990s LA, featuring standout performances and a narrative that fluidly blends drama and comedy. Enhanced by special features including deleted scenes and a Raymond Carver documentary, this release encapsulates Altman's unique cinematic style and comprehensive character storytelling.
Video: 88
Criterion's Blu-ray release of Robert Altman's "Short Cuts" presents an outstanding video transfer, overseen by cinematographer Walt Lloyd, notable for both technical precision and aesthetic fidelity. The film is presented in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio with a 1080p resolution, ensuring a robust and organic appearance throughout. Utilizing a new 4K digital transfer scanned from the original Super 35mm negative on a Lasergraphics Director film scanner, this release impresses with exceptional image clarity and stability. Manual processes removed dirt, debris, scratches, splices, and warps using MTI Film's DRS while Digital Vision Phoenix handled jitter, flicker, small dirt, grain, and noise management. Consequently, viewers with large screens and projectors will find significant improvements in depth, particularly in outdoor scenes.
Regarding color reproduction, the transfer provides substantial upgrades compared to previous DVD releases. Primary colors look vibrant and healthy, and there is an expanded range of nuanced hues enhancing the overall visual experience. The black levels are notably deep and dark without any signs of crush, which is especially evident during the nighttime scenes in the opening credits, where helicopter sequences showcase rich skies. Skin tones remain natural and consistent, ensuring that facial textures are rendered with excellent detail across the diverse cast. The expected film grain is thoroughly managed, contributing to the film's preserved authenticity without sacrificing modern clarity.
In conclusion, Criterion’s meticulous efforts have resulted in a glorious presentation of "Short Cuts." The clear and detailed imagery maintains a high level of fluidity and depth, essential for a film with such dynamic scene compositions. This Blu-ray is locked to Region-A, requiring compatible playback equipment.
Audio: 88
The Blu-ray release of "Short Cuts" includes two compelling audio tracks: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, both supported by optional English SDH subtitles. The original 2.0 track offers exceptional clarity and stability and is remastered from the 35 mm magnetic track, creating a balanced auditory experience where the music integrates seamlessly with the dialog. The dialog remains easy to follow, though Altman’s signature blending of external sounds occasionally mixes with it. Notably, the audio remains free from any pops, dropouts, background hiss, or other age-related imperfections.
In comparison, the 5.1 track opens up the film, benefiting from remastering from the 70 mm six-track magnetic track. It brings a more dynamic soundstage, though users should not expect substantial differences in dynamic movement overall. The surround presentation adeptly balances overlapping dialogue, Mark Isham’s score, and sound effects through a precise use of the center, front, and rear channels. This results in an immersive auditory experience, maintaining a strong sense of balance without compromise.
The low-frequency extension shines during the jazzy musical segments and several larger moments, utilizing the LFE channel effectively. Overall, both audio tracks deliver clean and robust presentations that cater well to the film’s intricate sound design, ensuring every detail of dialogue and music is heard clearly.
Extras: 86
Criterion's Blu-ray release of "Short Cuts" boasts an impressive array of extras that thoroughly explore both the film and its creative origins. This two-disc package includes a wealth of supplementary material that not only highlights Robert Altman's direction but also delves deeply into the work of Raymond Carver, whose stories inspired the movie. A standout is the feature-length documentary "Luck, Trust, & Ketchup," which provides extensive behind-the-scenes insights. Further enriching the experience are archival interviews and music demos that showcase the film’s score development. While an isolated music track is featured on disc one, the bulk of the extras reside on disc two, ensuring a comprehensive look at this cinematic gem.
Extras included in this disc:
- Additional Scenes: Three deleted/alternate scenes without subtitles.
- Music Demos: Rough demos by Mac Rebennack.
- Luck, Trust, & Ketchup: Documentary on film production.
- Marketing: Original promotional materials, teasers, and TV spots.
- Raymond Carver: Documentary on the life and work of Carver.
- Reflections on Short Cuts: Conversation between Robert Altman and Tim Robbins.
- Music Track: Individual music track.
- Leaflet: Illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by Michael Wilmington.
Movie: 86
Robert Altman's Short Cuts (1993), presented on Blu-ray by Criterion, is a quintessential ensemble drama that intricately weaves the lives of its diverse cast of characters. The film, based on the short stories and poems of Raymond Carver, captures the essence of both Carver's minimalist style and Altman's distinctive cinematic approach. Spanning more than twenty unique characters in early 90s Los Angeles, the narrative forms a mosaic that skillfully balances humor and drama. The cast, featuring Andie MacDowell, Julianne Moore, Tim Robbins, and others, delivers performances that range from raw emotional depth to subtly comedic undertones. Altman’s technique of overlapping dialogue and his refusal to judge the characters immerse the viewer into a world where mundane lives are depicted with profound authenticity.
The storytelling structure of Short Cuts allows for multiple interpretations; it can be perceived as an offbeat comedy, a poignant drama, or a critique of cultural disintegration. The characters, who vary from doctors to sex workers, reveal through their interconnected lives a shared dissatisfaction and yearning for change. Tragedy strikes in various forms—most notably in one storyline where MacDowell's character grapples with her son’s accident—prompting many within the ensemble to introspect and evolve. This constellation of plotlines fosters a therapeutic evaluation of personal relationships without forcing conventional resolutions. Instead, Altman maintains a narrative neutrality that invites the audience to merely observe rather than draw moral judgments.
Despite its extensive runtime and fragmented narrative, Short Cuts adeptly engages the audience by grounding its characters in realism. Altman forgoes didacticism, allowing flawed individuals space for redemption without overt cinematic manipulations. The film's construction and thematic handling maintain fidelity to Carver's spirit while being unmistakably marked by Altman’s auteur style. Overlapping dialogues, seamless transitions, and an unhurried pace create an immersive experience that mirrors quotidian life and underscores Altman’s prowess in orchestrating complex narrative tapestries.
Total: 87
Criterion’s Blu-ray release of Robert Altman's "Short Cuts" is a masterful presentation of a seminal film that deftly combines the narrative prowess of Raymond Carver with Altman's unique directorial style. This new release, sourced from a fresh 4K restoration, offers a startling upgrade in video quality, presenting "Short Cuts" in vibrant high definition that significantly enhances the viewing experience.
The Blu-ray disc excels with its audio/video quality, providing a clear and immersive experience that greatly benefits from Criterion's meticulous production standards. Fans of the film will find this release to be an exceptional improvement over previous home video formats. The special features included are abundant and thoughtfully curated, offering deeper insight into the film's production and its impact. These extras make the Blu-ray not only an essential addition for Altman enthusiasts but also for those looking to explore significant works within Criterion’s catalog.
In conclusion, Criterion’s release of "Short Cuts" is highly recommended for any film aficionado. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of Altman's directorial vision and remains a poignant reminder of an era in Hollywood where films were crafted to provoke thought rather than just offer escapism. This Blu-ray is a must-have for its remarkable technical quality and the enriching supplemental content, ensuring it will be a treasured part of any collection.
Blu-ray.com review by Dr. Svet AtanasovRead review here
Video: 100
I think that viewers with large screens and projectors in particular will be especially pleased with the upgrades because there are entire sections of the film where depth is vastly improved (look for...
Audio: 100
In terms of clarity and overall stability the 2.0 track never disappoints; the music is also very well balanced, never sticking out and/or creating anomalies....
Extras: 90
Luck, Trust, & Ketchup - this documentary film, created by Mike Kaplan and John Dorr, examines the production history of Short Cuts....
Movie: 90
They are doctors, cops, artists, limo drivers, waiters, and sex workers, all breathing the same air and dreaming of moving on to the next phase of their existence where everything that is currently making...
Total: 90
I could not be happier that these films are fully remastered and look incredible in high-definition, but I have to say that viewing them again has been a painful reminder that Hollywood no longer has big,...
Why So Blu?Read review here
Video: 100
Clear of any major issues and management of various flickers and dirt, this is a clean transfer that still preserves the original look of the film....
Audio: 100
Surround Sound Presentation: With the overlapping dialogue, Mark Isham’s score and everything else going on, it takes a good amount of work to handle the sound design and it has all been greatly achieved...
Extras: 90
With a feature-length documentary, a 2004 retrospective and lots of focus on Raymond Carver, there are few stones that have gone unturned in delving into Robert Altman’s LA epic....
Movie: 90
Short Cuts may not be my personal favorite Altman film (The Long Goodbye still holds that honor), but it is a great example, along with Nashville of what the departed director was able to accomplish when...
Total: 90
Short Cuts is one of the great efforts from Robert Altman and continues to be a great release from Criterion, now that it has come over to Blu-ray....
Director: Robert Altman
Actors: Andie MacDowell, Julianne Moore, Tim Robbins
PlotIn a mosaic of interwoven stories, the film explores the lives of various residents in Los Angeles over a weekend. Among them are a waitress struggling with her personal life, an aging jazz singer grappling with her son's addiction, and a philandering cop whose wife is pursuing her art career. The film delves into their complex relationships and the unexpected connections that bind them. Each character faces unique dilemmas, from infidelity and existential crises to family tensions and unfulfilled dreams, creating a rich tapestry of emotional experiences.
As the narrative unfolds, these seemingly disparate lives intersect in surprising ways, revealing shared vulnerabilities and moments of compassion. Ordinary events become profound as they expose the delicate balance between joy and sorrow, love and betrayal. The film paints a vivid portrait of urban existence, emphasizing the randomness of life and the deep, often hidden, connections among people. Through a series of chance encounters and coincidental events, the characters’ stories merge, ultimately leading them towards moments of self-discovery and realization.
Writers: Raymond Carver, Robert Altman, Frank Barhydt
Release Date: 01 Oct 1993
Runtime: 188 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English