Lonesome Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of Paul Fejos' "Lonesome" is encoded in MPEG-4 AVC and presented in a 1080p transfer with a 1.19:1 aspect ratio, courtesy of Criterion. This meticulous restoration involved scanning 35mm black-and-white and color duplicate negatives in 2K resolution on a Spirit 4K Datacine. Extensive efforts were undertaken to remove thousands of dirt and debris instances manually using MTI's DRS and Pixel Farm's PFClean, with Image System's Phoenix handling minor adjustments for dirt, grain, and noise reduction. The detailed technical work ensured remarkable clarity and pleasing color grading, especially notable in the carnival footage which looks vibrant and lively.

The original nitrate print, donated by the Cinemathique Francaise, showcased the film’s historical intertitles in French, later translated into English due to the absence of a known script. Despite working with an aged and severely damaged print, the restoration team preserved the film’s integrity while maintaining high contrast and deep black levels. Some occasional scratches and flecks remain visible; however, these do not substantially detract from the viewing experience. Detail levels can vary; some scenes remain soft while others exhibit impressive clarity and depth, such as the scene featuring falling confetti. Even with some sections appearing rough and age-worn, the inventive cinematography and expressive visuals shine through, offering an engaging viewing experience of this classic film.

Overall, while "Lonesome" reveals its age through persistent specks, scratches, and other signs of deterioration, the presentation on Blu-ray is quite satisfying. The fundamental stability is solid, with a notable absence of frame jumping and convincing frame transitions. The minimal post-production interference ensures authenticity, preserving the film’s natural appearance. The Blu-ray, though region-locked to Region-A, serves as a commendable preservation effort, allowing audiences to appreciate this visually inventive work more thoroughly despite its historical wear and tear.

The audio presentation of "Lonesome" on Blu-ray is delivered with an English LPCM 1.0 mono track, complemented by optional English subtitles. Despite the inherent limitations of dealing with a film nearing its 85-year mark, the audio restoration displays a commendable effort. The restoration, as detailed by Dan Wagner from the George Eastman House, retained integrity and clarity in both dialogue and sound effects. Notably, the chaotic parade scene at Coney Island retains an effective layering of noise, enhancing the immersive experience.

Technically, the monaural track does exhibit signs of its age—typical of archival restorations—with occasional distortions and a somewhat hollow quality. Ambient sound effects are distributed throughout the primarily silent film, with three dialogue scenes standing out for their surprising fidelity and clear speech. While the overall mix might appear flat with some background hissing and strained music, it remains solidly effective for a film of this era. The audio nuances, including minor imperfections, are handled thoughtfully to retain the historical authenticity of the original recording.

Overall, the sound restoration is laudable given the inherent challenges of vintage film materials. While not flawless, the LPCM 1.0 track brings forth a significant improvement over what might be expected from such a historic piece, ensuring that "Lonesome" remains accessible and enjoyable for contemporary audiences.

Criterion has curated an exceptional collection of extras accompanying the Blu-Ray release of "Lonesome," ensuring a comprehensive exploration of Paul Fejos' work, including two additional films from the director. The supplements provide substantial insights into the film's production history, innovative filmmaking techniques, and Fejos' broader career trajectory. The commentary by Richard Koszarski stands out for its detailed examination of the film's unique visual style and the technical aspects of its production. Additionally, the "Fejos Memorial" offers a poignant look into the director's life through his own words. Both "The Last Performance" and "Broadway" enrich this release, despite some print and sound quality inconsistencies. Overall, these well-produced extras deliver an engaging, deeply informative experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary: Insightful audio commentary by Richard Koszarski.
• Fejos Memorial: Visual essay with autobiographical audio excerpts.
• The Last Performance: 1929 silent film with Danish intertitles and new score.
• Broadway: Reconstructed version of Fejos' 1929 film.
• Hal Mohr on Broadway: Interview discussing the camera crane used in "Broadway."
• Booklet: 34-page illustrated booklet with essays and historical context.

Paul Fejos' "Lonesome" (1928), now available on Blu-ray from Criterion, remains a timeless masterpiece, blending the simplicity of a love story with groundbreaking cinematic techniques. At its core, "Lonesome" follows Mary (Barbara Kent) and Jim (Glenn Tryon), two New Yorkers whose monotonous daily lives are electrified by a chance meeting during a raucous Fourth of July celebration at Coney Island. Their burgeoning romance is captured with an honesty and modern sensibility that feels strikingly contemporary despite its age. Fejos elegantly juxtaposes the couple's parallel lives through visual humor and impressive montage sequences, heightening the emotional connection between them even before they meet.

Fejos' work is characterized by energetic and impressionistic style, utilizing dynamic moving shots and superimpositions to weave a narrative rich in whimsy and charm. Notably, a rotating clock superimposed over the characters’ work routines elegantly conveys the passage of time, maintaining narrative flow without traditional cuts. The film includes sequences of color tinting and minor hand-painted hues, lending vibrancy to the bustling carnival atmosphere. This creative exaggeration, along with dreamlike scenes of Mary and Jim dancing in clouds or bathed in purple light, adds a fairy tale quality that elevates their love story beyond its simple premise.

Though primarily silent, "Lonesome" includes three sound-dialogue scenes—a technical novelty for its transitional period—that somewhat disrupt the film’s otherwise flawless pacing. These segments feel extraneous as their content is already conveyed visually, demonstrating the occasional redundancy of dialogue. However, these segments serve as historical artifacts, marking the industry’s shift from silent films to talkies. Despite this minor detraction, "Lonesome" remains an exquisite example of joyful storytelling infused with innovative cinematic techniques. As recognized by its induction into the National Film Registry in 2010, Fejos' film stands as an essential piece of cinema history and a delightful watch for modern audiences.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of "Lonesome" is a testament to the enduring charm and technical mastery of early American cinema. Directed by Paul Fejos, the film is celebrated for its inventive and dazzling sense of style. A poignant narrative about two dreamers falling in love is artistically conveyed through a blend of vivid visuals and evocative music. Despite the age-related limitations in video and audio quality, the integrity of Fejos's vision remains intact, offering an insightful glimpse into a unique transitional period in filmmaking.

The Blu-ray edition of "Lonesome" is complemented by a remarkable set of supplements. Criterion has included two additional features by the director and an informative commentary that enriches the viewing experience. While the supplementary films may not carry the same strength as "Lonesome," their inclusion enhances the value of this release, providing context and a broader understanding of Paul Fejos's work. The restoration efforts evident in this edition, although imperfect, are noteworthy and greatly appreciated.

The praise is well deserved - "Lonesome" is indeed a fascinating early American film directed by an enormously talented director, Paul Fejos. Kudos to all parties involved with the restoration and reconstruction of the film, and kudos to Criterion for bringing to Blu-ray yet another important film that can now be seen in the best possible quality. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.