Holy Motors Blu-ray Review

Holy Motors," presented on Blu-ray by Indomina Films, features a 1080p transfer that employs an MPEG-2 encoding with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The choice of MPEG-2 codec over the AVC used in other regions might not significantly hinder the visual experience but does contribute to a less than stellar video presentation, especially when combined with the inherent characteristics of Red shot features. This results in a presentation that, while not entirely disappointing, lacks the crispness and texture one might expect from such a visually ambitious film. Shadows and darkness play a significant role in the film's aesthetic, yet these elements often come across as somewhat flat and soft, leading to scenes where detail and clarity are wanting.

In well-lit sequences, such as those featuring Eva Mendes, the video quality noticeably improves. Here, fine details become more pronounced, and colors appear richer and more vibrant, showcasing what the Blu-ray transfer could have achieved consistently. Contrast levels in these instances are commendable, with deep blacks and balanced whites adding to the depth and texture of the image. Unfortunately, these moments of visual excellence are countered by scenes shot in lower light, where grain becomes persistent and blacks duller, undermining the overall visual fidelity.

Despite its flaws, "Holy Motors" on Blu-ray does manage to capture the nuances of Denis Lavant's performance and the film's unique visual style. The picture quality is above average in instances of favorable lighting, displaying admirable levels of detail and texture. However, the presence of grain and diminished contrast in darker scenes detracts from what could have been a transcendent viewing experience, reflective of the film's narrative ambitions. This inconsistency in video presentation leaves a bit more to be desired for a film celebrated for its craftsmanship and innovative storytelling.

The audio presentation of "Holy Motors" on the Indomina version, utilizing a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix, falls into a somewhat contentious area for connoisseurs seeking the pristine experience often associated with lossless audio formats. While the film itself might not lean heavily on blockbuster-style sound effects or an all-encompassing immersive soundscape, the fidelity of this lossy mix does not disappoint in its execution. Dialogue is delivered with clarity, ensuring that each word can be discerned amidst the diverse environmental sounds that come with Oscar's varied excursions. The mix is well-balanced across channels, offering subtle yet effective use of the surround sound capabilities to enhance the feeling of spatial depth, although it occasionally misses opportunities to elevate the audio experience to what many might anticipate from a Blu-ray release.

Despite the absence of a lossless audio option, the Dolby Digital 5.1 mix succeeds in bringing to life the eclectic soundtrack and ambient sounds that define the film's auditory identity. From the bustling streets of Paris to the more intimate settings Oscar finds himself in, the mix adeptly adjusts to provide a sense of place and mood, particularly excelling with its musical choices that standout as auditory highlights. The accordion sequence, for instance, serves as a testament to the mix's ability to capture and convey the film's unique tonal shifts. However, not all scenes are treated with the same level of auditory finescripteness; occasional lapses in dialogue levels hint at missed opportunities for a more consistent audio presentation. Some moments demand manual volume adjustment, detracting from an otherwise immersive experience.

In summary, while the Dolby Digital 5.1 mix showcases a commendable effort to bring "Holy Motors" to life audibly within its Blu-ray incarnation, it navigates a fine line between satisfactory and exceptional. The absence of lossless audio may leave some yearning for what could have been, yet there’s no denying the mix's prowess in capturing the essence of the film's diverse sonic landscape and musicality. It delivers a solid if not fully realized auditory companion to Oscar's enigmatic journey, blending subtlety with moments of audio brilliance that underscore key thematic elements and emotional beats within the narrative.

The extras section of the "Holy Motors" Blu-ray offers a fascinating insight into the film's creation, striking a balance between artistic depth and behind-the-scenes elucidation. The centerpiece, "Drive In – The Making of Holy Motors," is a 47-minute featurette that goes beyond the typical EPK material with its artful approach and in-depth interviews, providing a compelling glimpse into director Leos Carax's unique vision and working style. The interview with Kylie Minogue stands out for its candidness. Despite her initial confusion with the script, Minogue's enthusiasm for the project and her insights into working with Carax add a personal dimension to the extras. The inclusion of both domestic and international trailers offer a complete promotional view of the film from different perspectives, rounding off the additional content with a well-curated selection that enhances the overall appreciation of Carax's work.

Extras included in this disc:

• Drive In – The Making of Holy Motors: A deep dive into the film's production, featuring key interviews and an artistic presentation.
• Kylie Minogue Interview: Minogue discusses her experience with the film and working with Carax, despite initially knowing little about his previous work.
• Domestic Trailer
• International Trailer

Leos Carax's "Holy Motors" is a film that defies straightforward narrative expectations, launching the viewer into a surreal journey that's as bewildering as it is captivating. This eclectic masterpiece throws conventional storytelling to the wind, presenting a series of vignettes that are loosely connected by the wanderings of Monsieur Oscar, portrayed with astonishing versatility by Denis Lavant. Lavant's transformation into a myriad of characters—from an old woman begging on the streets of Paris to a motion capture artist engaged in an eerie, CGI-assisted dance—showcases not just his, but cinema’s chameleonic potential. The film begins with an arresting sequence that sets the tone for what follows: a dreamlike exploration of cinema’s power to enchant and disturb, pulling the viewer into a labyrinth where reality and performance blur indistinguishably.

Carax navigates through "Holy Motors" with an audacious disregard for genre constraints, melding moments of haunting beauty with stark bizarreness. The narrative, if it can be called that, moves from one outlandish scenario to another—each a spectacle of imaginative fervor that serves to both perplex and mesmerize. The myriad roles undertaken by Lavant’s character serve as a metaphor for the transformative power of acting and, by extension, cinema itself. Notable is the sequence featuring Kylie Minogue in a melancholy musical number and a seemingly out of place, yet oddly fitting, accordion-led musical interlude, both of which underscore the film’s eclectic nature.

"Holy Motors" is an ode to the medium of film, its capacity for spectacle, and its reflection on life's myriad roles. Carax’s work not only questions the essence of performance and identity but also offers a commentary on the changing landscape of cinema—lamented by Mr. Oscar as losing its visceral joy. This mix of surreal vignettes and philosophical musings creates a viewing experience that is both visceral and intellectually stimulating, leaving an indelible mark on the viewer long after the film has concluded. The movie emerges not just as a collection of disparate scenes but as a cohesive whole that celebrates the medium's boundless creativity and its ability to probe the deepest recesses of our psyche and society.

The Blu-ray release of "Holy Motors," a film shrouded in mystique and technical finesse, offers a polarizing experience indicative of the enigmatic nature that cinema can manifest. This film, revered by critics like Dr. Svet Atanasov and Brian Orndorf for its peculiar charm and intellectual rigor, challenges viewers to dive into its oddities and emerge either utterly enchanted or somewhat detached. The presentation quality of this release garners applause for its very good video quality, though not without imperfections, and an acceptable audio experience that perhaps misses a beat in delivering a richer auditory immersion. Supplemental materials included are a boon for those drawn to the film's unique allure, adding value to this edition.

Within the sprawling spectrum of cinematic adventures "Holy Motors" navigates, its Blu-ray iteration stands as a beacon for cinephiles yearning for films that dare to deviate from the norm. Its capacity to engage intellectually, if not always emotionally, places it in a special category of films that, while not universally embracing, invite a deeper exploration into their constructed realities. Some critiques highlight the potential for enhanced image quality and a more dynamic audio mix, indicating areas where this release might have ascended to greater heights, yet these points hardly detract from the overall commendable effort to bring this distinct piece to audiences in a tangible form.

In conclusion, the Blu-ray presentation of "Holy Motors" reflects a commendable effort to encapsulate the film’s unique essence. While it navigates the thin line between intellectual stimulation and emotional resonance, failing to capture the latter for some, it stands as a testament to cinema that dares to explore uncharted territories. Recommended for those with an appetite for the unusual, this release proves to be an essential addition to the collections of discerning film enthusiasts, bridging the gap between avant-garde expression and home cinema aficionados.