A Kind of Murder Blu-ray Review

"A Kind of Murder," shot on the Arri Alexa by cinematographer Chris Seager, meticulously captures the atmospheric lighting and elaborate production design within a meticulously executed 1.85:1 1080p transfer. The film is drenched in fog, rain, snow, and cigarette smoke, crafting an evocative yet occasionally overbearing ambiance. The Magnolia Home Entertainment Blu-ray release employs an AVC-encoded video stream that displays superior sharpness and detail without succumbing to digital harshness. Shadow details are well-managed, and the bitrate averaging 22 Mbps sufficiently supports the digitally acquired imagery, ensuring no aliasing, noise, or other interferences.

The color palette is thoughtfully curated, reflecting the wintery setting of upstate New York with a tasteful array of cooler blues and grays. Occasional bursts of primary colors, particularly through neon signage, punctuate the visual experience without overshadowing the overall wintry aesthetic. Black levels are impressively deep and maintain excellent shadow separation, contributing to a comprehensive sense of space and dimension. Flesh tones remain natural and accurate throughout, underscoring the meticulous color calibration. Moreover, the exceptional sharpness highlights intricate details in production design, from Walter Stackhouse's affluent surroundings to Marty Kimmel’s worn environments.

The 1080p resolution preserves the film’s visual integrity, maintaining the crispness and fidelity initially intended by Seager. The aspect ratio remains true to its 1.85:1 theatrical presentation, with contrast expertly managed to enhance the overall viewing experience. Any minor instances of video noise are minimal and do not detract from the overall visual quality. In summary, this release delivers a robust and immersive viewing experience that aligns closely with the filmmakers' vision.

The audio presentation of "A Kind of Murder" is anchored by a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that offers a competent, if not exceptional, auditory experience. Dialogue is cleanly rendered and remains prominent in the front and center channels throughout, ensuring clarity and intelligibility. The sound effects and score, particularly the edgy thriller compositions by Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans, are well-integrated, contributing significantly to the film's sense of atmosphere and space.

Surround channels are effectively utilized to provide environmental ambiance, enhancing scenes with natural-sounding chitter-chatter during party sequences or quieter, tension-filled moments. The fidelity and dynamic range are in line with contemporary production values; the mix exhibits occasional surprising pans and directionalized voices that aid in building atmospheric tension. Overall, the sound design complements the film's narrative without overwhelming it, making for a splendid and appropriate auditory backdrop.

The Blu-ray of "A Kind of Murder" offers a concise but insightful selection of extras that delve into various aspects of the film’s production and thematic elements. "The Psychological Andy Goddard" features the director discussing his creative vision, with cast members providing their perspectives on working with him. "The 60's Look" explores the meticulous efforts in recreating 1960s New York, highlighting period-specific details in locations, wardrobe, and set design. "The Noirish Characters of A Kind of Murder" provides character-driven insights from the cast, although it remains somewhat superficial in its exploration. The disc also includes a theatrical trailer and promotional content, which round out the package for a well-rounded understanding of the film's creation and stylistic achievements.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Psychological: Andy Goddard: Director discusses the film's plot and themes with cast testimonials.
• The 60's Look: Insights into recreating '60s New York with attention to period details.
• The Noirish Characters of A Kind of Murder: Cast talks about their characters' roles in the film.
• Theatrical Trailer: Official movie trailer.
• Promo Trailers: Additional trailers for other films.

Andy Goddard's "A Kind of Murder," adapted from Patricia Highsmith's novel The Blunderer, offers a compelling visual experience rich in 1960s period detail, yet it falters in narrative delivery. The film stars Patrick Wilson as Walter Stackhouse, a successful architect and crime novelist whose seemingly perfect life with his wife Clara (Jessica Biel) begins to unravel due to her depression and his emerging infatuation with singer Ellie Briess (Haley Bennett). Walter's curiosity about a murder case involving bookshop owner Marty Kimmel (Eddie Marsan) pulls him deeper into a web of suspicion and deceit, especially as zealous detective Laurence Corby (Vincent Kartheiser) begins to link him to the case.

While the film excels in generating an authentic Sixties aesthetic, the performances by the lead actors, particularly Wilson and Marsan, are stellar, maintaining a palpable tension throughout most of its runtime. Despite this, "A Kind of Murder" struggles with pacing and cohesion, primarily due to choppy editing that disrupts the flow and ultimately undercuts the suspense. Critical plot elements and character motivations are obscured or left unexplored, creating gaps that leave viewers perplexed rather than intrigued. This flaw is particularly evident as scenes that should heighten tension prematurely conclude or fail to resolve dangling plot threads.

The cinematography by Chris Seager captures a noirish atmosphere, using rich color palettes and deep shadows to evoke the era's moodiness. However, the film's technical mise-en-scène is let down by inadequate narrative execution. Ultimately, with its inability to fully integrate its fascinating characters and striking visuals into a cohesive thriller, "A Kind of Murder" feels more like a missed opportunity than a compelling adaptation of Highsmith's nuanced work.

"A Kind of Murder," based on Patricia Highsmith's intriguing novel, boasts strong performances and a compelling 1960s period design. The cast excels at portraying complex characters, and the production values are impressive given the film’s limited budget. However, despite these strengths, the film is marred by clunky editing, resulting in an uneven presentation that ultimately stifles its suspenseful potential.

The Blu-ray release from Magnolia provides a stellar audio-visual presentation, ensuring that the visual appeal and crisp sound design are well-preserved. While bonus features are sparse, they offer some engaging insights into the film's production. Unfortunately, the director’s execution leaves the final product feeling more frustrating than fulfilling, as the narrative flow is often disrupted by the flawed editing choices.

In conclusion, "A Kind of Murder" offers just enough to warrant a rental, especially for fans of Patricia Highsmith or those interested in quality period pieces. Despite its shortcomings, the performances and the meticulous set design provide a modestly entertaining experience. For its visual fidelity and the chance to see talented actors shine, the Blu-ray is worth considering for a one-time viewing at least.