The Darjeeling Limited Blu-ray Review

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.40:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, Criterion's Blu-ray edition of Wes Anderson's "The Darjeeling Limited" boasts a meticulously crafted 1080p transfer. Supervised and approved by the director himself and scanned from the original 35 mm camera negative using a Spirit 4K Datacine, this high-definition transfer is exemplary. The color palette is rich and vibrant, reflecting the exotic settings of India with astounding fidelity. Hues such as yellows, greens, blues, reds, and blacks are well-saturated, rendering a visually striking experience. The fine object detail, clarity, and consistent contrast levels reinforce the overall high quality of this transfer.

In terms of technical performance, "The Darjeeling Limited" is virtually flawless. There are no significant issues with edge-enhancement, macroblocking, or compression artifacts. Moreover, skin tones appear natural and realistic across a variety of lighting conditions, while black levels are deep and inky, providing excellent depth and contrast in darker scenes. Notably, when viewed on a high-resolution digital projector, the film exhibits remarkable depth and crispness, highlighted by moments such as a tiger growling in the gloom that demonstrate the transfer's proficiency in handling complex visual elements.

Overall, Criterion's Blu-ray transfer of "The Darjeeling Limited" presents a pristine and engaging viewing experience. With an unheard-of level of dimensionality and attention to detail, this edition is a testament to the labor-intensive restoration process. Even for those less enthused about the film itself, the visual achievement of this high-definition transfer cannot be overlooked. The accompanying booklet further contextualizes the effort involved in bringing this visually sumptuous film to Blu-ray in such a breathtaking manner.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "The Darjeeling Limited" features an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, complemented by portions of Hindi. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided and appear within the image frame when activated. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track showcases robust and punchy bass, effectively utilized rear channels, and well-balanced high frequencies. Dialog clarity stands out with crisp and clean delivery, ensuring ease of understanding throughout the movie.

The audio mix enriches the film’s setting, vividly bringing the atmosphere of India to life. Although "The Darjeeling Limited" is a dialogue-heavy comedy, the use of surround sound is notable, especially in bustling crowd scenes. The music, combining pop songs with material from older movies, particularly shines during dynamic scenes like the opening sequence. The track remains glitch-free, with no detectable pops, cracks, hisses, or dropouts, contributing to a smooth and immersive viewing experience. However, the absence of additional language tracks is slightly disappointing given contemporary standards.

Overall, while this isn’t an audio track designed to challenge high-end audio setups rigorously, its nuanced dynamics and clarity across various elements are impressive. The mix ensures that every dialogue and piece of the soundtrack is seamlessly integrated into the viewing experience, enhancing the film's multifaceted scenes with a high degree of auditory fidelity.

The extras on the Blu-ray of "The Darjeeling Limited" provide an assortment of insights and additional content that will delight fans of the film. The audio commentary by Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola, and Jason Schwartzman, though somewhat dry, offers a wealth of information on the film's evolution and filming process. Barry Braverman's documentary offers raw and engaging footage from the shoot in India, while a conversation with James Ivory highlights the film's musical influences. Matt Zoller Seitz's essay provides a unique perspective on the film’s stylistic elements. The disc also includes Wes Anderson's comical American Express commercial and several short, yet interesting, featurettes such as deleted scenes, sketch footage by Roman Coppola, and Waris Ahluwalia's diary entries.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary: Discussion on the film's evolution and production.
• Documentary by Barry Braverman: Raw footage from the shoot.
• Conversation with James Ivory: Discussion on musical influences.
• Essay by Matt Zoller Seitz: Perspective on the film's style.
• American Express Commercial: Humorous spoof.
• Sriharsh's Audition: Audition footage.
• Oakley Friedberg/Packer Speech: Production staffer's child's speech.
• Deleted Scene and two alternate takes: Additional scenes.
• Sketch by Roman Coppola: Behind-the-scenes footage.
• Waris' Diary: Collection of brief documentaries.
• Trophy Case: Awards received by the film.
• Stills Galleries: Photographic collection from the set.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer.

Wes Anderson's "The Darjeeling Limited" (2007) is an eccentric and idiosyncratic film about three estranged brothers—Francis (Owen Wilson), Peter (Adrien Brody), and Jack (Jason Schwartzman)—embarking on a spiritual quest across India. The narrative unfolds aboard a train, creating a claustrophobic yet apt environment that mirrors the protagonists' psychological confinement. Anderson employs a blend of witty dialogue and slapstick humor, with moments of uncertainty and nostalgia interspersed, delivering an experience that is both emotionally poignant and whimsically disorienting. Cinematically, the film pays homage to Ismail Merchant, James Ivory, and Satyajit Ray, blending their influences with Anderson’s distinctive stylistic precision.

Despite its visual flair and meticulous craftsmanship, the film wrestles with an underlying rigidity that occasionally stifles its emotive potential. Anderson’s habitual obsession with detail—the brothers’ symbolic luggage designed by Marc Jacobs, the impeccable use of Futura bold typography, and the iconic lateral pans—remains at the forefront, sometimes overshadowing the narrative. The director’s decision to score the film with existing pop songs and music from other filmmakers’ catalogs instead of collaborating with his regular composer Mark Mothersbaugh further highlights this stylistic deviation. While the film's formal elements—Anderson's signature dollhouse shots and intricate set pieces—bestow an aesthetic brilliance, they occasionally detract from the film's emotional core.

"The Darjeeling Limited" is divisive; while some viewers will relish its spectacle and thematic depth, others might find its eccentricity off-putting. The film’s attempts at emotional resonance, notably highlighted in a harrowing scene involving a child's drowning, are sometimes undermined by Anderson's penchant for stylistic embellishments—a balancing act that doesn’t always succeed. Nonetheless, it remains a crucial entry in Anderson's filmography—a "thesis film" that encapsulates his thematic preoccupations and aesthetic tendencies. Criterion's Blu-ray presentation further enriches the viewing experience with its comprehensive supplementary features and meticulous packaging.

The Blu-ray release of Wes Anderson's "The Darjeeling Limited" presents a visually striking and sonically immersive experience that speaks to the director's distinctive style. The transfer quality is superb, with sharp detail, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast that faithfully render Anderson's meticulously crafted aesthetic. The audio track is equally commendable, delivering clear dialogue and an engaging mix that enhances the film's whimsical and contemplative tone. Special features include a wealth of supplementary content, providing deep insights into the film’s production and narrative intricacies, which will undoubtedly please Anderson's fans and casual viewers alike.

Despite the technical excellence of this Blu-ray, the film itself may not resonate with all viewers. "The Darjeeling Limited" is an oddball comedy-drama that delves into themes of familial discord and personal growth set against the backdrop of a train journey across India. Though it has moments of incisive humor and emotional depth, some may find it less cohesive and impactful compared to Anderson's earlier works. The lead characters' eccentricities are intriguing, but their development seems somewhat underexplored, leaving a sense of emotional distance that could hinder full audience engagement.

In conclusion, I enjoyed Wes Anderson's "The Darjeeling Limited" but I don't believe I was able to connect with its main protagonists as I wanted to. I felt there was a lot more behind their eccentricity which was kept away from me. Hence, I plan on viewing it again soon. It should be noted that some viewers have reported occasional visual artifacts in the transfer; clarifications are being sought from the distributor. Despite these minor concerns, this Blu-ray is highly recommended, particularly for fans of Anderson’s oeuvre. It offers a comprehensive package that is both technically outstanding and rich in additional content.