A.C.O.D. Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "A.C.O.D." on a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer offers a decent visual experience that navigates a middle ground between impeccable sharpness and a few noticeable shortcomings. At its core, the 1.78:1 aspect ratio showcases a fairly well-defined image, benefitted by the digital finesse of the Arri Alexa camera, with textures, particularly in interior spaces like Carter's apartment and therapist's office, revealing a significant amount of detail. The outdoor sequences stand out with better dimensionality and contrast, hinting at a deeper, brighter visual treat. However, the indoor scenes tend to suffer from a certain flatness and dimness, lacking the vibrancy expected in typical contemporary comedies. This is further undermined by colors that, while consistent and fairly balanced, lean towards a slightly warm tone, especially evident in skin tones, and lack the punch or saturation that could have elevated the visual appeal.

In terms of technical performance, Paramount's transfer does manage to maintain a clean presentation, free from most digital noise except for minimal spiky interferences and grain-like textures in a few instances. Although the image might not be classified as razor-sharp, its detail resolution is commendable, capturing nuances in the backdrop, facial features, and even the subtle wear on colored bricks with satisfactory clarity. Nonetheless, the picture battles with achieving true depth in darker scenes, where blacks tend to blend together without distinct detail.

Overall, while "A.C.O.D." may not stand out as the pinnacle of Blu-ray transfers, it provides a pleasant viewing experience that adequately complements its content. The visual presentation, despite its few inconsistencies in color vibrancy and shadow detail, offers enough clarity and cleanliness to satisfy most viewers. Paramount delivers a competent transfer that navigates its limitations without detracting significantly from the enjoyment of the film.

The audio presentation of "A.C.O.D." on Blu-ray utilizing a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack provides a straightforward and functional experience, tailored primarily for the film's dialogue and music-driven narrative. The soundtrack offers clarity and decent fidelity, particularly in portraying the dialogue which is delivered with precision from the center channel, ensuring that conversations are easy to follow and understand. The music is spread well across the front speakers, showing good stereo separation but lacks vigor and depth, especially in the lower frequencies, indicating a minimalistic approach to its sound design.

However, the audio mix does not substantially capitalize on the surround channels or provide a significant bass presence, leading to a very front-heavy experience that limits the sense of spatial immersion. The ambient sounds and background effects are sparingly used, offering only a hint of atmosphere in specific scenes such as those set in restaurants, but these moments are too few to substantially enhance the audio landscape. The absence of robust surround support and a dynamic range means that the track feels constrained and fails to fully engage the listener in what could have been a more enveloping auditory environment.

While "A.C.O.D." does not require an aggressive or expansive sound mix due to its genre and storytelling focus, the audio track feels underwhelming for a contemporary release equipped with a 5.1 DTS-HD MA specification. It manages to meet the basic requirements by ensuring clear dialogue and an acceptable level of music presentation but misses an opportunity to elevate the viewer's experience through more inventive or engaging use of audio capabilities, resulting in a competent yet unremarkable sonic accompaniment to the film.

The "A.C.O.D." Blu-ray extras serve as a light, mainly promotional assortment, combining brief insights with humorous content. The Cast & Crew Discussions offer a tantalizing, albeit too short, glimpse into the making of the film, touching on its comedic approach to divorce and unconventional narrative choices. However, it's the PSAs that truly stand out, providing unexpectedly amusing takes on the A.C.O.D. theme, arguably offering more entertainment than certain film segments. Conversely, Amy Poehler's Outtakes and the piece on what A.C.O.D. stands for come off as mildly amusing but ultimately forgettable. Overall, these extras, all presented in 1080p HD with Dolby Digital 2.0 sound, feel like a missed opportunity to delve deeper into the film's creation and thematic explorations but offer enough to satisfy fans looking for a bit more content related to the movie.

Extras included in this disc:

• Cast & Crew Discussions About A.C.O.D.: Insights from the cast and crew on the film's production and themes.
• Amy Poehler Outtakes: A short collection of alternate lines from Amy Poehler.
• What Does A.C.O.D. Stand For?: Jane Lynch humorously riffing on the film's title acronym.
• Public Service Announcements: A series of mock PSAs featuring the cast addressing A.C.O.D. related topics.
  • Coping With A.C.O.D.
  • Be Proud To Be An A.C.O.D.
  • Have You Seen a Shaman?
  • Are You Awesome?
  • Commitment-Phobic?
• Digital Copy: Includes a UV and iTunes download.

"A.C.O.D.," directed by Stu Zicherman in his directorial debut, is a film that intriguingly explores the complexities of being an Adult Child of Divorce. Despite its somewhat cumbersome title, the movie attempts to navigate through the humor found within familial chaos without resorting to the lowbrow laughs that pepper today's comedy scene. With a script that feels slightly undercooked and a premise ripe with potential yet lacking in execution, “A.C.O.D.” unfortunately doesn't fully capitalize on its setup or its stellar cast, delivering a mix of mild amusement rather than the rich comedic experience it promises. The narrative weaves through the life of Carter (played by Adam Scott), whose endeavors to manage his feuding parents amid his brother's wedding preparations unveil a plethora of unresolved issues stemming from their divorce.

The movie shines in its refusal to lean into easy sexual or alcoholic gags, opting instead for humor that emerges naturally from its characters' ludicrous situations, making the laughs it does offer more impactful. However, these moments of subtlety and genuine amusement are sporadic, leaving much of the runtime feeling oddly devoid of the anticipated comedic impact. Adam Scott delivers a commendable performance, adeptly balancing the comedic and dramatic demands of his role, supported by a commendable ensemble cast including Richard Jenkins, Catherine O’Hara, and Amy Poehler. Their performances inject life into their characters, yet the film struggles to leverage their talents fully against the backdrop of an inconsistent script and lackluster character development.

Significantly, "A.C.O.D." does offer insightful glimpses into the effects of divorce on adult children, juxtaposing Carter’s lingering wounds with his brother Trey’s seemingly untarnished enthusiasm for marriage. While the film flirts with deeper themes and offers occasional clever quips, it ultimately feels like a missed opportunity - a comedy-drama that doesn't quite delve deep enough into its characters or comedic potential. Despite these issues, "A.C.O.D." remains a somewhat breezy watch, albeit forgettable, serving as a case study in how even a capable cast can only elevate material so far without a stronger script or clearer direction.

The Blu-ray release of "A.C.O.D." presents a middle-of-the-road comedy that shines through its nuanced portrayal of complex familial dynamics, elevated by a skilled ensemble cast. The film, straddling the line between humor and the delicate subject of divorce, manages to find its footing in the authenticity of its characters' plights. Despite its somber themes, the movie injects a sense of charm and subtle comedy, making it an engaging, though not particularly memorable, viewing experience. Paramount's distribution offers a solid video quality that matches expectations for the genre without any notable flaws. The audio track, while basic, is adequate for the film's needs, ensuring clear delivery of dialogue and complementing the movie’s overall tone.

Special features on this Blu-ray are few but include some notably entertaining PSAs that add a smidgen of value to the overall package. Although the extras may not be groundbreaking, they provide a modest bonus to the film's home release. Critics and users alike will find the Blu-ray's technical presentation satisfactory, reinforcing the film’s strengths without overshadowing its narrative with technological gimmicks.

In conclusion, "A.C.O.D." on Blu-ray is a commendable release for a film that juggles humor with the weighty theme of divorce. It stands out due to its solid video and audio presentation and a commendable performance by its cast. While it may not be a blockbuster hit destined for infinite praise, it deserves recognition for its approach to storytelling and character development. This Blu-ray makes for a worthwhile rental for those intrigued by its premise, with a purchase recommended for fans at a reasonable price point. In the landscape of comedies about complicated family dynamics, "A.C.O.D." holds its own with a presentation that respects its source material.