A Child Is Waiting Blu-ray Review
Score: 64
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
"A Child Is Waiting" offers a perceptive and tender look at the lives of mentally handicapped children, with excellent performances captured in Kino Lorber's well-remastered Blu-ray.
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Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 69
A Child Is Waiting's AVC encoded 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer delights with balanced contrast, deep black levels, and rich textures. While some grain and occasional speckling reflect its era, the remastering successfully delivers vibrant visuals and crisp detail in a film-like essence.
Audio: 64
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix shows occasional harshness and distortion, with dialogue remaining clear despite some age-related pops and hiss. Atmospherics like classroom chatter are well-rendered, while Ernest Gold's score reveals age but maintains presence and depth, ensuring an overall adequate audio experience.
Extra: 51
Extras include a commentary by Tom Charity and Michael Vanderhoss, blending Cassavetes insights with specifics on 'A Child Is Waiting,' albeit occasionally veering off-topic. The disc also features the original theatrical trailer and trailers for other Lancaster films, offering a modest but valuable supplement package.
Movie: 66
A Child Is Waiting (1963) by John Cassavetes, despite some post-production strife and a formulaic plot, offers a poignant, raw look at special needs education with standout performances by Burt Lancaster and Judy Garland. The Blu-ray's 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 enhance its emotional depth.
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Video: 69
The AVC encoded image presentation for "A Child Is Waiting" (1.67:1 aspect ratio) delivers commendable detail across the board, maintaining a crispness that respects the glamour lighting on Judy Garland and the era's cinematographic limitations. Textures on both costuming and set decoration are rendered strongly, with close-ups offering a particularly expressive depth. Contrast remains well-balanced, providing a clear delineation that remains consistent. The film grain is fine and filmic, though the source material does reveal some signs of age with occasional speckling and mild scratches visible throughout.
Remastered in high definition, the 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer from Kino Lorber breathes new life into this classic by enhancing its natural, semi-documentary style initially captured by acclaimed cinematographer Joseph LaShelle. The transfer exhibits pleasing vibrancy and stark contrast, with a predominance of intimate close-ups that convey a rich tapestry of emotions. Grain structure is noticeable yet non-intrusive, and the gray scale variance excels in showcasing the depth of the black levels. Shadow delineation is robust, allowing background elements to be clearly discerned. Some close-ups, particularly of Garland, appear softer, which was a common cinematographic choice for middle-aged female stars during that period.
Despite minor flaws like initial heavy speckling and occasional blotches that decrease as the film progresses, the overall image presents a very film-like quality. More importantly, digital enhancements have been subtle enough to evade detection, ensuring that no noise or crush impedes the viewing experience. This transfer effectively preserves the visual integrity of the film while enhancing its emotional and narrative depth.
Audio: 64
The 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio mix featured on the Blu-Ray of "A Child Is Waiting" presents a mixed auditory experience. While dialogue exchanges are generally intelligible, accurately reflecting the emotional tones and softer, intimate moments, the clarity struggles with high-frequency sounds, often producing harsh and crackly "S" words. This detracts slightly from the overall listening experience. The scoring does support the narrative, although it exhibits some age-related dullness, affecting its definition. Group activity, such as the bustling school environment, is handled adequately, contributing to the sense of place.
Despite some minor distortions and occasional age-related pops, the DTS-HD Master Audio track largely remains clean and clear. It successfully eliminates hiss and surface noise, opening up remarkably during exterior scenes to provide a realistic atmosphere. Elements like classroom chatter and outdoor frolicking are effectively balanced within the soundscape, ensuring a sense of realism. Specific accents, such as revving car engines, are crisp and distinct, enhancing the audio environment. Ernest Gold's music score maintains a fair amount of presence and depth, without overpowering the dialogue, which remains easily comprehensible throughout.
While this is fundamentally a rudimentary track, it manages its tasks with competence, balancing the elements of the soundtrack to deliver an accessible audio experience.
Extra: 51
The Blu-ray extras for "A Child is Waiting" provide intriguing insights and background not only on this specific film but also on the broader impact of John Cassavetes on American independent cinema. The commentary by Tom Charity and Michael Vanderhoss is informative but occasionally unfocused; while they offer compelling anecdotes, the tangents into Cassavetes' career can overshadow film-specific details. Their discussion on the tiff between Cassavetes and producer Stanley Kramer during editing is particularly enlightening, providing context about Cassavetes' contentious yet influential approach. Similarly, attention to screenwriter Abby Mann's personal connection to the story and Garland’s potential collaboration with Cassavetes are both fascinating. However, the notable absence of a deep scene-by-scene breakdown means the commentary may leave some enthusiasts craving more specific analysis.
Extras included in this disc:
- Commentary: Engaging track featuring Tom Charity and Michael Vanderhoss, emphasizing Cassavetes' influence.
- Theatrical Trailers: Original trailer for "A Child Is Waiting," plus trailers for three other Burt Lancaster films.
Movie: 66
1963's A Child Is Waiting deftly handles the sensitive subject of special needs education with a keen sense of realism, courtesy of director John Cassavetes. This drama, focusing on the struggles of both teachers and parents in a state institution, aims to destigmatize mental challenges. The film may seem formulaic at times, but it carries a poignant message that was particularly bold for its era. Burt Lancaster and Judy Garland deliver compelling performances, the latter showing remarkable emotional depth in one of her final roles. Garland's portrayal of a troubled woman seeking fulfillment poignantly underscores the theme of coping with disabilities.
Though producer Stanley Kramer and Cassavetes had creative differences post-production, the director's distinctive touch remains evident. The film captures the chaotic emotional landscape of parenting special needs children with an authenticity that refuses to sugar-coat reality. Cassavetes employs actual disabled children in the film, eschewing sentimentality for genuine engagement with the subject matter. This approach allows for an unvarnished look at the complex web of guilt, responsibility, and societal expectations surrounding special needs education. The performances of Garland and Lancaster anchor the film’s emotional core, providing nuanced perspectives on their characters' conflicting views on handling disabilities.
Cassavetes' commitment to realism also extends to supporting actors like Gena Rowlands and Bruce Ritchey who enhance the story’s depth. The inclusion of true disabled children in substantial roles adds a documentary-like authenticity to the narrative. While the film occasionally succumbs to didactic moments, it avoids devolving into mere melodrama. Instead, it intelligently tackles vital issues such as lack of funding, inadequate teacher training, and parental denial. Despite its rough production edges, A Child Is Waiting stands as an earnest work that honors the dignity of its subjects and illuminates issues often pushed to the periphery of public consciousness.
Total: 64
John Cassavetes' “A Child Is Waiting” is a deeply affecting film that addresses the challenges faced by mentally handicapped children with warmth, sensitivity, and authenticity. The film offers an insightful look into the lives of these children, as well as the teachers and parents who support them. Standout performances by Burt Lancaster, Judy Garland, Gena Rowlands, and Steven Hill bring depth to the narrative, highlighting the emotional complexities involved. While the pro-institution message may feel dated by contemporary standards, it is delivered with earnest intention and reflects the attitudes of its time.
The Blu-ray release by Kino Lorber boasts a newly remastered video and lossless audio transfer that significantly enhances the film’s visual and auditory experience. Although the disc is sparse on supplemental material, this high-quality presentation serves the film well, preserving its poignancy and authenticity. What truly stands out, however, are the scenes involving the children themselves; their performances add an essential layer of realism and emotional impact, making the film resonate on a deeper level.
In conclusion, “A Child Is Waiting” sheds light on a once-taboo subject with patience, delicacy, and compassion. While its themes may be tough to watch at times, this downbeat yet hopeful study remains illuminating and deserving of attention. Despite the changes in societal attitudes over the last five decades, the film’s heartfelt portrayal continues to be relevant and is worth recommending for its sincere exploration of an important topic.
Blu-ray.com review by Brian OrndorfRead review here
Video: 80
The AVC encoded image (1.67:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers pleasing detail throughout, delivering a degree of crispness that doesn't interfere with glamour lighting on Garland and cinematographic...
Audio: 60
Dialogue exchanges remain intelligible, detailing an active emotional range, with softer, intimate moments surviving....
Extras: 50
...
Movie: 70
A drama concerning the efforts of teachers at a state institution dealing with special needs children and their confused, frightened parents, the picture seeks to destigmatize the mentally challenged,...
Total: 60
"A Child Is Waiting" isn't out to provide answers, it just wants to shed some light on a once taboo subject, doing so with patience, authenticity, and a few scenes of panic that carry an almost 3D-like...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 60
Shot in a natural, semi-documentary style by acclaimed cinematographer Joseph LaShelle (best known for such classics as 'Laura,' 'The Apartment,' and 'How the West Was Won'), there's plenty of stark contrast...
Audio: 60
Ernest Gold's pedestrian music score flaunts a fair amount of presence and depth, and all the dialogue is easy to comprehend....
Extras: 20
A bit too much emphasis on Cassavetes' style, his influence on other filmmakers (such as Martin Scorcese), and other movies he directed, and not enough scene-specific discussion of 'A Child Is Waiting'...
Movie: 60
Yet such daunting roadblocks never fazed producer Stanley Kramer, whose unwavering commitment to exploring important and controversial social issues spawned some of Hollywood's most perceptive and thought-provoking...
Total: 60
John Cassavetes' emotionally affecting film also provides a stark, inside look at their everyday travails, as well as the struggles of teachers and parents to come to terms with the reality of their respective...
Director: John Cassavetes
Actors: Burt Lancaster, Judy Garland, Gena Rowlands
PlotDr. Matthew Clark runs a state institution for developmentally disabled children. His approach emphasizes structure, education, and compassionate care. Jean Hansen, a new teacher at the institution, arrives with little experience but a fervent desire to help the children. She quickly becomes attached to Reuben, a particularly withdrawn boy, and her emotional involvement leads her to challenge Dr. Clark's methods. While Jean seeks a more nurturing approach, she finds herself grappling with the complexities of each child's unique needs and the limits of what she can accomplish.
The institution faces various setbacks as Jean and Dr. Clark clash over their differing philosophies. Jean's growing bond with Reuben exposes deeper issues within the system, highlighting the children's varying degrees of progress and failure. As both the staff and the children are put to the test, Jean must confront her expectations and reassess her role in the children's lives. The struggle between compassion and practical care forms the heart of the conflict, bringing to light broader questions about responsibility and hope in their challenging environment.
Writers: Abby Mann
Release Date: 11 Jan 1963
Runtime: 102 min
Rating: Approved
Country: United States
Language: English