The Moderns Blu-ray Review

Shout Factory has diligently remastered "The Moderns" from its original film elements into a new 2K scan, striking an impressive balance between detail and authenticity. Encoded in a 1.85:1 AVC format on a BD-50 disc with an MPEG-4 AVC transfer, the Blu-ray rendering averages a video bitrate of 29991 kbps, achieving a total bitrate of 37.65 Mbps. The attention to detail is apparent, showcasing a healthy grain structure that elevates the film's aesthetic. Areas such as Nick’s painting scenes and vibrant elements like the bright red of passing cars in 1920s Paris particularly stand out, juxtaposing beautifully against the film’s generally light gray hue, attributed to its unique shooting style. Intricate details, including facial features and costume textures, are exceptionally clear, despite occasional skin pallor due to the film's hazy backdrop.

Toyomichi Kurita's cinematography remains exquisitely preserved, maintaining the film’s original sepia, black-and-white, and colorized moments that transition smoothly and resplendently on screen. With slight variations in color temperature, sepia tones vividly replicate the older 1988 aesthetic, capturing the essence of an impressionist’s canvas. While the overall color palette remains true to its darker, smoky origins, some graphical inconsistencies, including scattered grain structure and frequent black-and-white speckles, diminish an otherwise stellar presentation. These speckles are noticeable throughout and could have been minimized for a more polished final product. Despite this minor setback, Shout Factory’s transfer is commendable for its fidelity to the theatrical look of the film, ensuring fans appreciate its authentic visual rendition.

The new audio presentation of "The Moderns" on Blu-ray features both the original Dolby Stereo track as DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and a newly crafted 5.1 remix. During my review, I focused on the 5.1 remix, which is encoded at an impressive bitrate of 3493 kbps, ensuring a robust and immersive audio experience. Despite the film’s dialogue-heavy nature, which anchors conversations primarily to the front channels, the mix skillfully enhances the period-specific soundtrack. This audio fidelity brings out the nuanced textures of Mark Isham's diverse score and other period pieces.

The soundtrack effectively incorporates songs by notable artists such as Josephine Baker, Charlélie Couture, and Jean Lenoir, along with an abridged version of Puccini’s "Madame Butterfly." Isham's original compositions combine piano, violin, and bass, creating a rich auditory landscape that complements the dialogue. The clarity and placement of these musical elements within the 5.1 remix notably elevate the overall aural experience of the film. Additionally, optional English SDH subtitles are available for added viewer accessibility.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Moderns: Collector's Edition" are limited but provide enriching insight into the film's production and legacy. The standout feature is a comprehensive retrospective documentary titled "Art and Artifice in The Moderns," which delves into the film's creation through extensive interviews with key figures like director Alan Rudolph, producer Carolyn Pfeiffer, and star Keith Carradine. This segment alone offers an in-depth look at the artistry behind the film, supplemented by behind-the-scenes photos, production stills, and film clips. Additionally, the disc includes the original theatrical trailer, though it's presented in an unrestored, upscaled format.

Extras included in this disc:

• NEW Art and Artifice in The Moderns: Recent retrospective documentary featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes content.
• Theatrical Trailer: An unrestored and upscaled trailer from the film's original release.

"The Moderns" remains a polarizing film from the late '80s, celebrated for its intriguing premise but critiqued for its overly melodramatic execution. The backdrop of 1920s Paris serves as an elegant setting where art, romance, and deceit intertwine. Keith Carradine stars as Nick Hart, an American expatriate and caricaturist who becomes embroiled in a high-stakes forgery scheme involving the wealthy but nefarious businessman Bertram Stone, played by John Lone. The plot thickens with Hart's rekindled passion for his estranged wife Rachel, portrayed by Linda Fiorentino, creating a tangled web of personal and professional conflicts.

Director Alan Rudolph's vision captures the essence of the period, complete with appearances by historical figures like Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein. Yet, the film's strength lies more in its atmosphere and ambitious storyline than its execution. While some commend its nuanced take on the binaries of art vs. commerce and authenticity vs. counterfeit, others find it bogged down by sluggish pacing and melodramatic overtones. Keith Carradine's performance is commendable, embodying a complex mix of sophistication and vulnerability, while John Lone's portrayal of the antagonist is both subtle and captivating. Despite these strong performances, the script often veers into soap opera territory, detracting from its potential gravitas.

The production journey of "The Moderns" adds another layer of appreciation, particularly highlighted in the documentary "Art and Artifice," which explores the numerous obstacles faced by Rudolph and his team. Shot predominantly in Montreal despite its Parisian setting, the film ultimately cost $3.5 million to make. It stands as a testament to independent filmmaking in the '80s, though it continues to divide critics. While some view it as a cult masterpiece rich in nostalgic value, others can't escape the sense that it promises more than it delivers.

"The Moderns," directed by Alan Rudolph, is a film rich with ambiance and character-driven drama, set against the bohemian backdrop of 1926 Paris. Starring Keith Carradine, Linda Fiorentino, and Wallace Shawn, the film delves into the lives of expatriates entwined in love affairs and art forgery. The Blu-ray release by Scream Factory benefits from an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 AVC and offers audio in both English DTS-HD MA 5.1 and DTS-HD MA 2.0.

The transfer exhibits a notable improvement over previous DVD releases, albeit with some persistent dirt on the print that wasn't fully eliminated during restoration. Nevertheless, the upgraded video quality and enhanced audio presentation contribute significantly to the viewing experience. Scream Factory has integrated a substantive making-of documentary in lieu of a commentary track, providing valuable behind-the-scenes insights. Despite the comprehensive content, the omission of certain extras and a slipcover for this "Collector’s Edition" may disappoint some aficionados.

In conclusion, while "The Moderns" might invoke mixed feelings regarding its aging and relevance, it remains a film worth exploring, especially for aficionados of Rudolph and its principal cast members. The Blu-ray restoration, though not flawless, is commendable, enhancing both the visual and auditory aspects of the film. This release is recommended for dedicated fans and those curious about this cult classic, making it a worthy addition to any serious cinema collection.