Passion Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Passion" by Entertainment One boasts an AVC encoded 1080p transfer, set in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. This high-definition transfer showcases remarkable clarity and fine detail, with vivid, saturated colors that stand out conspicuously. Notably, the reds are striking, from Christine's vibrant lipstick and platform heels to her bright boardroom attire. However, while fine details, such as the threads of luxe outfits and facial pores, are spectacularly rendered, there is some compromise in shadow detail due to heavy blue color grading during scenes involving drug use.

On the technical front, while the encode is MPEG-4 AVC with 1080p resolution, the presentation is somewhat flawed due to noticeable band-filled shots, flickering noise, and aliasing issues. While close-ups reveal substantial detail like bangs and stubble, overly bright scenes undermine this detail, with inconsistent contrast affecting wider shots. This excessive brightness sometimes leads to inaccuracies in color representation, like McAdams' dress appearing different shades between exterior and interior scenes. Additionally, black levels in darker scenes can appear as gray rather than deep black, which detracts from the overall depth.

Despite these issues, "Passion" maintains a sleek and immersive visual style. The grain structure hints at a potential 35mm film origin, contributing to its depth and creative perspectives. Contrast and sharpness levels are generally satisfactory, although slight softness is present. The film's color usage is deliberate yet limited, effectively contrasting the cold-toned ambiance with elements like golden hair and red lipstick. Although there are occasional instances of noise and minor artifacts, these do not severely impact the overall viewing experience.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Passion" is anchored by a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, with an additional, yet comparably lesser, 5.1 Dolby Digital option. The DTS-HD MA track delivers a pleasantly immersive experience, especially during Pino Donaggio’s evocative score which permeates the surround channels excellently. While not action-heavy, the dynamics are aptly suited to the film's sleek and tense aesthetic. Dialogue remains crisply presented throughout, though there is a notable instance during a fashion show rehearsal where background music obscures conversation between Isabelle and Christine.

Sound effects, while sporadic, are finely crafted to enhance their respective scenes. The sound design during a gala scene vividly captures the atmosphere with the resonance of high heels on marble and scattered conversations echoing through the channels. Despite occasional imbalances where audio skews towards the front and a prominent lack of LFE presence, the audio fulfills its role adequately, emphasizing the film’s atmospheric tension rather than explosive dynamism.

The surround sound presentation chiefly utilizes ambience and music to encompass the viewer, supporting the film's dialogue-driven nature rather than relying on intense action sequences. The track does exhibit excellent spatial placement in key scenes, such as a large party or a crucial moment involving a persistently ringing phone. Overall, the sound design caters effectively to "Passion's" narrative needs, achieving a solid if not groundbreaking audio experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Passion" includes minimal extra features, which is a notable disappointment for fans expecting more in-depth content. The primary feature is an EPK-style promotional video comprising interviews with Brian De Palma, Rachel McAdams, and Noomi Rapace. However, the interviews are brief and largely uninformative, mostly offering generic insights into character motivations and plot breakdowns. De Palma appears somewhat terse, adding little value to the experience. This limited offering could have greatly benefited from additional features such as audio commentaries or deleted scenes, but unfortunately, these are absent.

Extras included in this disc:

• Interviews with Brian De Palma, Rachel McAdams, and Noomi Rapace: Brief promotional video discussing characters and plot.
• Theatrical Trailer: The official trailer presented in high definition.

Brian De Palma's Passion reignites his signature blend of voyeuristic intrigue and stylistic bravado, packed with the elements of rivalry, lust, manipulation, drugs, and violence. The film sees Noomi Rapace as Isabelle, a subordinate in a posh Berlin advertising firm, and Rachel McAdams as her manipulative boss Christine. Their complex relationship starts with strange, intimate meetings that rapidly devolve into a vicious power struggle characterized by betrayal and psychological warfare. Though their characters exhibit strikingly different presentations—Isabelle being seemingly reserved compared to Christine’s overt glamour—the narrative blurs these distinctions as both characters reveal cunning depths.

From the film’s onset, the inceptive voyeurism characteristic of De Palma remains palpable, with camera angles that intrude like an unseen spy. Notably, a split-screen sequence juxtaposes a ballet performance with a gruesome murder, blending the elegance of Debussy’s Afternoon of a Faun with visceral violence. This visual duality underscores the film’s thematic dichotomies. De Palma doesn’t shy away from referencing his cinematic influences directly, making specific nods to Hitchcock’s Vertigo, which may delight long-time fans but could seem derivative to others.

Passion flirtatiously dances on the line between high art and trashy paperback material. The filmmaker embraces his known penchant for stylized storytelling, yet here it may teeter more into style overshadowing substance. Performances by Rapace and McAdams veer dramatically between compelling and overly melodramatic, reminiscent of 1960s thrillers, adding to the film's lurid charm. Despite its potential absurdities and implausible plot twists—particularly after a pivotal murder scene involving kinky subtexts—the narrative remains hypnotically engaging due to De Palma's cinematic flair and Rapace's enigmatic presence.

Ultimately, while Passion might strain credulity with its convoluted storyline and exaggerated interpersonal drama, it offers a visually arresting experience that blends sensual undercurrents with a sense of impending doom—an unmissable concoction for De Palma aficionados.

Brian De Palma's "Passion" on Blu-ray provides a mixed bag of experiences for viewers. Visually, the Blu-ray is competent with above average video quality, though some technical shortcomings, such as blown-out brightness, cannot be ignored. The film's audio quality remains consistently decent, offering a reliable listening experience throughout. However, the disc is substantially limited in supplemental content, providing only a brief seven-minute promotional reel which fails to add significant value to the release.

From a cinematographic standpoint, "Passion" revisits many of De Palma's beloved themes with a directorial confidence that longtime fans will find familiar and engaging. Rachel McAdams and Noomi Rapace deliver captivating performances that capture attention despite the film's occasionally teetering narrative quality. For enthusiasts of film-noir and neo-noir genres, the aesthetic and thematic elements of "Passion" present an alluring if not fully satisfying experience.

Conclusion

There seems to be a newfound interest in De Palma (yet again), due perhaps in part to the remake of his legendary Carrie. The director's fortunes have waxed and waned through the years, and Passion was met with at best mixed reviews when it played theatrically. I'd wholeheartedly recommend this film to longtime De Palma aficionados, for it revisits some of his favorite themes in an often excitingly visceral way. Those who aren't quite so well acquainted with some of De Palma's eccentricities may find the film occasionally laughable, though even those folks will more than likely be transfixed by the performances of McAdams and (especially) Rapace. This Blu-ray offers great video and audio, and even without much in the supplements department, comes Recommended.