Like Crazy Blu-ray Review

The 1080p Blu-ray transfer of "Like Crazy" presents a mixed visual experience, heavily influenced by its original low-budget production with a Canon EOS 7D camera. The video output remains clean and clear throughout due to the digital source, but viewers should temper their expectations accordingly. While there is some detail evident in specific scenes—such as intricate texture on items like quilts or close-ups showing skin pores—the overall image often appears flat and soft, with considerable inconsistency. Colors range from bright and vibrant to overly saturated, particularly in artificial lighting scenarios like club scenes or sunsets, leading to some abnormal contrast with overly obscure darks and blinding brights that hinder fine detail retention.

Technical limitations show through various visual artifacts, including aliasing, jagged edges, false colors, blocking, and banding, though the latter is notably rare. Shadowy faces tend to suffer from poor color gradations, and most of the film's darker scenes exhibit washed-out blacks. Despite these issues, the Blu-ray avoids the employment of edge enhancement or Digital Noise Reduction (DNR), maintaining a degree of authenticity to the source material. Stabilization of the image quality is more apparent in brighter scenes, where fine details remain more consistent. This presentation may not qualify as demo material for high-end home theater setups, but it stands as a faithful reproduction of the film’s original, natural limitations.

The audio presentation of "Like Crazy" is offered through a DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. This setup supports a natural and nuanced delivery of dialogue, which is rendered through the center channel with commendable clarity and evenness. Environmental sounds, such as chirping birds, light winds, and bustling market scenes, effectively immerse the listener, contributing significantly to the film's atmosphere. Particularly notable is a dance club scene midway through the movie, where deep bass and solid energy enhance an immersive aural experience.

However, there are certain drawbacks to the audio track that detract from its overall quality. The film's raw and real sound design occasionally results in suboptimal vocal clarity. Key dialogue sometimes becomes muted or lost, necessitating frequent adjustments to the master volume. This issue can be distracting and diminishes the intended dynamic range of the soundtrack. Yet, when the scenes permit, such as during a sequence at Catalina Island filled with seagull calls and ocean waves, the environmental effects shine and enrich the viewing experience.

Despite its technical strengths in conveying ambient sounds and providing a sense of immersion in specific scenes, the overall audio quality suffers due to inconsistent dialogue clarity. While the DTS-HD Master Audio track has moments of brilliance, particularly in its handling of background ambience, the necessity to continually adjust volume settings can hinder an otherwise engaging auditory experience.

The Blu-ray extras of "Like Crazy" offer a comprehensive look into the filmmaking process with a high level of detail and engagement. The Audio Commentary by Director Drake Doremus, Editor Jonathan Alberts, and Cinematographer John Guleserian is particularly noteworthy. It offers insights into their professional backgrounds, shooting locations, cast dynamics, and technical nuances, elevating the viewer's understanding of the film. The Deleted Scenes and Alternate Scenes with optional commentary delve further into the creative decisions behind scene inclusions and exclusions. These features underscore the uniqueness of the shooting process, which lacked a traditional script, resulting in each take being distinct. Together, these extras provide a valuable glimpse into the making of the film from both artistic and technical perspectives.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insightful discussion by the director, editor, and cinematographer.
• Deleted Scenes: Extended sequences with optional commentary.
• Alternate Scenes: Unique takes on pivotal scenes with optional commentary.

Drake Doremus's "Like Crazy" is a poignant exploration of the challenges faced by long-distance lovers, illustrating the tumultuous nature of relationships with a striking sense of authenticity. The film follows Jacob (Anton Yelchin) and Anna (Felicity Jones), whose college romance is disrupted by visa issues and transatlantic separation. The narrative gains depth from its exploration of whether true love can withstand time, distance, and external pressures, contrasting sharply with the idyllic portrayals often found in mainstream cinema. This candid representation, akin to a modern "Graduate," eschews fairy-tale endings for a raw portrayal of love's ebbs and flows. Utilizing largely improvised dialogue and shot with budget-friendly equipment, the film retains a raw and relatable quality, enhanced by the palpable chemistry between Yelchin and Jones.

"Like Crazy" skillfully conveys the emotional roller coaster of love—from the giddy first contact to the heart-wrenching separations. Anna's overstay on her visa leads to her deportation, marking the start of their relationship’s trials. As they navigate the aftermath, each seeking solace elsewhere—Jacob with his colleague Samantha (Jennifer Lawrence) and Anna immersing herself in work—their enduring bond remains evident. The film's unscripted dialogue adds to its genuine portrayal of love and frustration. Despite its condensed runtime, which sometimes leads to abrupt transitions in the couple's journey, the narrative remains coherent and engaging. The supporting cast, particularly Lawrence, enhances the dynamic, creating a well-rounded depiction of the characters' struggles and desires.

Technical aspects like editing and scoring further elevate "Like Crazy," ensuring a seamless and emotionally resonant experience. The film's realistic approach and nuanced performances make it a compelling watch for both young audiences and seasoned romantics. It serves as a stark reminder that love, while often depicted as a seamless journey, is fraught with obstacles that require perseverance and understanding to overcome.

"Like Crazy" is an emotionally powerful film that captures the raw essence of young love and the inevitable challenges of long-distance relationships. Centered around the nuances of their relationship and driven by strong performances, the film presents a realistic portrayal that oscillates between various emotional states, enabling audiences to delve into the complexities of love and separation. However, its ambiguous ending and varying pace may require viewers to approach it with the appropriate expectations.

Paramount's Blu-ray release offers a mixed bag of technical quality. The video presentation is reflective of the film's original elements but shows inconsistency, shifting from sharp and defined to soft and unfocused, which can detract from the viewing experience. The audio quality suffers similarly, with poorly balanced raw vocal levels frequently rendering lines inaudible without manual volume adjustments. Yet, the disc compensates for these flaws through substantial extras, including insightful deleted and alternate scenes alongside a comprehensive commentary.

Conclusively, "Like Crazy" is a quality film worthy of attention, though it demands a certain level of patience and open-mindedness from its audience. While Paramount's Blu-ray release may have technical shortcomings, the emotional depth and narrative strength of the film make it a valuable watch. For fans of sincere, reality-based romances, it's a recommended rental, and those already in love with the film can purchase with confidence despite its imperfections.