Sweetie Blu-ray Review

Criterion’s Blu-ray presentation of Jane Campion's "Sweetie" is a stunning high-definition transfer that maintains the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, utilizing MPEG-4 AVC encoding with 1080p resolution. Supervised by director of photography Sally Bongers and approved by Jane Campion herself, the transfer exhibits remarkable depth and fluidity, notably improving upon Criterion’s previous SDVD release. The color reproduction is exemplary; reds, blues, greens, browns, and blacks appear rich and natural, in stark contrast to the older release where greens and blues—especially during beach scenes—suffered from noticeable bleeding.

The level of detail throughout the film is significantly enhanced; close-ups are meticulously clear, revealing textures previously obscured. While edge-enhancement and macroblocking issues are entirely absent, occasional contrast boosting is noticeable, particularly in daylight scenes. This slight overemphasis in contrast could be a deliberate choice approved by the director. The transfer retains a soft grainy look consistent with the original photography, yet it yields substantial detail that accentuates the raw and rugged elements of the film. The soft and understated color palette harmonizes well with the film's off-kilter family dynamic.

Overall, this Blu-ray release represents Criterion’s commitment to meticulous restoration. All dirt and gunk have been expertly removed from the transfer, ensuring a clean and immersive viewing experience. While minor image jitter is occasionally visible during the opening credits, it does not detract from the overall excellence of the presentation. "Sweetie" on Blu-ray stands as a testament to Criterion's high standards, offering an authentic visual experience that closely aligns with Jane Campion’s directorial vision.

The Blu-ray release of "Sweetie" features an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, which is a significant upgrade over the previous English Dolby Digital 5.1 track from the SDVD release. The DTS-HD Master Audio track offers enhanced dynamic amplitude, resulting in crisper and clearer dialogue that remains intelligible even with the actors' thick Australian accents. The front and center channels predominantly carry the dialogue and most of the action, while the rear channels are used sparingly yet effectively for ambient sounds during busier scenes.

While the rear channels are generally quiet, they are utilized intelligently to enhance scenes where the family gathers or during specific audio cues, such as the unique music pieces—most notably during the black-and-white insert of roots growing, where light low-end sound is present. The overall audio presentation is free from technical issues like pops, cracks, hissing, or audio dropouts, reflecting Criterion's high standard of quality.

In conclusion, the audio presentation on this Blu-ray disc stands as another excellent example of Criterion's commitment to high-quality releases. The clear dialogue, intelligent use of rear channels, and absence of any sound imperfections make for an engaging and immersive auditory experience, maintaining a professional standard in line with other releases from Criterion.

The Blu Ray extras for "Sweetie" offer an immersive exploration into the making of this distinctive film, featuring invaluable insights from key cast members and the director herself. Highlights include a 23-minute retrospective discussion with Genevieve Lemon and Karen Colston, revealing behind-the-scenes processes and character insights from their work on "Sweetie". Additionally, three of Jane Campion's early short films, including the Cannes Palme d'Or winner "An Exercise in Discipline: Peel", are presented. The package is rounded out with a thoughtful conversation between Jane Campion and film critic Peter Thompson, providing context to her early career, a production gallery, and the original trailer. The inclusion of a comprehensive audio commentary from director Campion, screenwriter Gerard Lee, and director of photography Sally Bongers further enriches the viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Making Sweetie: Conversation with Genevieve Lemon and Karen Colston.
• Short Films: Early works by Jane Campion: "An Exercise in Discipline: Peel", "Passionless Moments", and "A Girl's Own Story".
• Jane Campion: The Film School Years: Discussion between Jane Campion and Peter Thompson.
• Production Gallery: Collection of images by Regis Lansac.
• Trailer: Original theatrical trailer for "Sweetie".
• Commentary: Audio commentary with Jane Campion, Gerard Lee, and Sally Bongers.
• Booklet: Illustrated booklet with an essay by Dana Polan.

Jane Campion's debut feature film, Sweetie, presents a fascinating blend of dark comedy and dramatic complexity, making it both an engaging and perplexing experience. The film centrally revolves around Kay (Karen Colston), who is emotionally unstable and at the mercy of her peculiar fears, particularly related to trees. Her search for love leads her to Louis (Tom Lycos), who becomes entangled in an unconventional relationship leading ultimately to discord. This delicate balance shifts dramatically with the return of Kay's erratic sister, Sweetie (Geneviève Lemon), highlighting the dysfunctional dynamics within their family. The narrative moves from hopeful to despairing as the family attempts, and spectacularly fails, to reconnect.

Campion's direction infuses the film with a distinctive arthouse sensibility. Her use of specific framing, stark angles, and minimalist production design effectively underscores the characters' psychological turmoil. Cinematographer Sally Bonger's lensing captures vibrant light and color, providing a stark contrast to the film's darker thematic elements. However, the editing occasionally disrupts the narrative flow, which some viewers may find a drawback. The acting, handled predominantly by novices, lends an unintended authenticity to these deeply flawed yet compelling characters.

The film is supported by a wealth of supplementary features on its Blu-ray release by Criterion, including the original trailer, short films by Campion, a production gallery, a making-of featurette, and insightful conversations between Campion and critic Peter Thompson. These additions enrich the viewing experience, offering deeper insights into Campion’s creative process. With English SDH subtitles available and Region-A locking, Sweetie on Blu-ray is a well-rounded package. Despite its inherent oddities and at times unsettling nature, "Sweetie" shines as an uncut gem in Jane Campion's illustrious career, straddling the line between beauty and disarray with striking audacity.

Jane Campion's "Sweetie" is a peculiar yet captivating film that marks the early stages of one of New Zealand's most influential directors. Criterion's Blu-ray release signifies a remarkable enhancement in quality compared to their previous SDVD release. The high-definition transfer, approved by Campion herself, delivers visually stunning results, capturing the film's unique aesthetic and dark humor with precision. While the story may seem unsettling or odd at times, it undeniably showcases Campion's burgeoning talent, hinting at the profound directorial skills that she would later fully realize in subsequent works.

The audio quality on this release is commendable, enhancing the overall viewing experience with clear and immersive sound. However, the absence of an audio commentary is a noticeable shortcoming when it comes to special features. Nevertheless, Criterion compensates with the inclusion of Campion's short films, offering an invaluable peek into her early creative process and cinematic evolution. These extras provide context and enrich the viewer’s appreciation of Campion’s unique narrative style and artistic vision, making this edition a must-have for Criterion enthusiasts and fans of the director alike.

In conclusion, "Sweetie" is a bizarre yet beautiful film that effectively encapsulates Jane Campion's early directorial prowess. Criterion’s Blu-ray treatment elevates this late 80s gem to new heights with superior visual and audio quality. Although the lack of an audio commentary might disappoint some, the supplementary short films provide significant value. Overall, this release is highly recommended, not only for its technical merits but also for its insight into Campion’s formative years as a filmmaker.