Toni Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Toni" on Blu-ray from The Criterion Collection offers a remarkable upgrade, thanks to a meticulous 4K digital restoration undertaken by Gaumont and supported by the CNC at L'Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna and Paris. The transfer, presented in a 1080p AVC encode with a 1.37:1 aspect ratio, stays true to the film's original format, ensuring that on widescreen televisions, black bars will appear on either side of the image. This restoration utilized the 35 mm original camera negative and a 35 mm fine grain positive from the Cinémathèque française. Criterion has also remastered the original monaural soundtrack from a 35 mm nitrate optical soundtrack positive.

The new restoration brings a wealth of fine details to the forefront, preserving the intricate textures evident in costumes and set designs, such as the pattern on Toni's cap. The black levels are robust, providing excellent contrast that enhances both shadowed interior scenes and the expansive outdoor landscapes with impressive depth. The gray scale is well modulated, although minor fluctuations linked to source variations can be noticed, occasionally resulting in blanched and less detailed interstitial sequences. The film grain maintains a consistent texture, aside from minor fluctuations, generally resolving very well across different sources.

Overall clarity is commendable despite some variation from scene to scene, with particularly fine detail seen in costumes and interiors. Outdoor scenes may appear slightly blown out but maintain enough contrast to remain legible. Frame jumps are noticeable, particularly starting from the funeral sequence, yet these rare instances do not detract significantly from the overall viewing experience. This Blu-ray release significantly enhances the image quality and reveals more visual information than previous home video editions, making it a highly recommended upgrade for enthusiasts and collectors alike.

The audio presentation on the Blu-Ray of "Toni" delivers a remarkably full-bodied sound, considering its early talkie era origins, and the inherent challenges of live recording conditions. The 24-bit PCM mono audio track is presented in the original French language, offering a thorough restoration of Renoir’s dialogue-driven film. Despite occasional audio imperfections like pops between scene changes and a consistent hiss, the sound quality remains impressively rich and inviting. The well-performed music, including on-screen live performances, exudes warmth, and outdoor scenes are mixed with unexpected proficiency, ensuring dialogue is cleanly rendered throughout.

Dialogue clarity is one of the standout features, with voices maintaining discernible inflections and tonal changes, ensuring audience engagement. Although the antique recordings display some limitations, the overall auditory experience benefits significantly from the meticulous restoration. The inclusion of optional English subtitles further enhances accessibility, catering to a wider audience by circumventing potential comprehension issues arising from the original mono track. This careful balance of historic authenticity and modern technical refinements makes the audio track of "Toni" a commendable effort in preserving cinematic history.

The Blu-ray release of "Toni" offers a selection of compelling extras that will enrich any cinema enthusiast's understanding of Jean Renoir's work. A standout is the commentary by Kent Jones and Phillip Lopate from 2006, laden with insightful production details and background information, though some audio clarity issues might arise. The disc also includes a 1961 introduction by Renoir himself, providing essential context for the film, and a riveting archival feature, "Cinéastes de Notre Temps," a French television piece from 1967 by Jacques Rivette. This 98-minute program is an in-depth look at Renoir's early works. Adding to these is an illuminating 2020 analysis by Renoir scholar Christopher Faulkner, excellently narrated by Jen Cohn, discussing the film's significant impact on neorealism. Additionally, a detailed foldout insert with a reprinted 1956 article by Renoir offers further insights.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary: 2006 track by Kent Jones and Phillip Lopate.
• Introduction by Jean Renoir: A brief context-setting introduction from 1961.
• Cinéastes de Notre Temps: Archival 1967 feature by Jacques Rivette.
• Christopher Faulkner: 2020 video essay analyzing the film's impact.

"Toni," directed by Jean Renoir and released a few years prior to his acclaimed works "La Grande Illusion" and "The Rules of the Game," offers a fascinating early glimpse into Renoir's evolving style and thematic concerns. The film is frequently associated with the Italian Neorealist movement due to its on-location shooting and focus on the struggles of the working class, although the exact influence of collaborators like Luchino Visconti remains debated among scholars. "Toni" indeed captures a socioeconomically charged narrative, highlighting themes of immigration, labor, and class conflicts through the lens of its characters' intimate dramas.

The plot unfolds around an Italian immigrant, Toni (Charles Blavette), who arrives in southern France seeking employment and quickly becomes embroiled in a love triangle involving his boarding house owner, Marie (Jenny Hélia), and a volatile farmhand, Josefa (Celia Montalván). The tension escalates with the introduction of Albert (Max Dalban), a foreman whose abusive actions catalyze the unfolding tragedy. This narrative serves as a microcosm of broader societal issues, from economic hardship to the human yearning for connection and belonging. The film's almost documentary-like approach lends it a profound sense of realism, significantly augmented by Renoir's pioneering use of on-location sound recording and casting actors with authentic Mediterranean accents.

Technically, "Toni" impresses with its audacious outdoor cinematography, which was revolutionary for its time. Renoir's nascent stylistic flourishes, including close-up shots that starkly contrast with the film's naturalistic base, create powerful psychological moments—such as the infamous scene where Josefa is stung by a wasp and Toni's act of sucking out the poison. The performances are deeply engaging, with Charles Blavette, Celia Montalván, and Jenny Hélia delivering memorable portrayals that resonate with authenticity. "Toni" is a compelling exploration of the rural poor's lives, embedded within affluent societies, capturing timeless themes that continue to hold relevance today.

Toni is an underappreciated masterpiece from Jean Renoir, demonstrating his deft ability to blend social commentary with engaging narrative. The film's focus on immigrant laborers navigating the complexities of work, love, and hardship remains potent and relevant. Renoir's signature direction and storytelling are impeccably captured in this Blu-ray release, thanks to a solid A/V presentation that honors the film's original aesthetics.

The Criterion Collection has done an admirable job in resurrecting "Toni" with a transfer that maintains the film's visual integrity. Blacks are deep, and details are crisp, bringing out the nuances in Renoir's cinematography. The sound quality is generally robust, ensuring that every line of dialogue and ambient noise is pristinely delivered.

Toni hasn’t achieved the renown of some of Jean Renoir's better-remembered films, but if you're a fan of either Grand Illusion or Rules of the Game, my hunch is you'll find a lot to captivate you here. Those with an interest in Marcel Pagnol's writing should also find this a curiously effective companion piece. Technical merits are generally solid, and the supplementary package very enjoyable. Highly recommended.