This Must Be the Place Blu-ray Review

"This Must Be the Place" on Blu-ray boasts an impressive visual presentation, adhering meticulously to director Paolo Sorrentino’s creative vision and Luca Bigazzi's cinematography. Presented in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, the 1080p transfer captures the robust detail and depth, particularly in the film's latter half scenes set in New Mexico and Utah. The colors are rich and vibrant, especially in panoramic shots, without any problematic lab corrections. However, some light banding is detectable though not distracting. Additionally, the video remains stable with no significant discrepancies or serious stability issues.

The AVC-encoded transfer maintains a well-balanced palette that aligns with the film's stylized look. Colors are intentionally exaggerated in New Mexico with a bright yellow push, offering a metallic sheen, while scenes in Michigan and Dublin have a subdued, grayish overcast. The contrast is mostly bright, occasionally running hotter than normal as part of the film's deliberate aesthetic. Blacks are accurate, particularly against Cheyenne's Goth attire, though shadows lack consistency in definition. The visuals are finely detailed with sharp, distinct lines in various elements like architecture and foliage, coupled with lifelike facial textures.

Overall, the Blu-ray transfer of "This Must Be the Place" stands out for its exceptional color reproduction and strong contrast management. Despite minor issues like light banding and occasional murkiness in shadow detailing, this 1080p presentation remains a faithful and visually compelling viewing experience that effectively showcases the diverse environments explored by the protagonist, Cheyenne.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "This Must Be the Place" features an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, which is both engaging and technically impressive. The soundtrack benefits from the collaborative efforts of David Byrne and Will Oldham, creating a diverse and dynamic soundscape that complements the film's narrative depth. Notably, the dialog is consistently crisp and clear, making it easy to follow amidst the various environmental sounds and musical cues. Optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles are provided, appearing within the image frame when activated.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track significantly enriches the storytelling with its atmospheric sound design. Background elements such as birds chirping, rustling wind, and vehicular noise contribute to a realistic auditory environment. During more subdued scenes, like those set in bars or restaurants, the rear channels remain active, adding nuance with distant chatter and ambient sounds. Additionally, David Byrne's music seamlessly integrates with the back speakers, maintaining viewer engagement throughout. While the sound design is predominantly front-heavy, the spreading of musical elements across the screen establishes a wide and inviting soundstage. The mid-range frequencies offer rich clarity, and the low bass is deep and accurate, providing substantial depth and weight to the music.

In summary, this DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track proves to be perfectly suited for the film's tone and content, particularly highlighting Cheyenne's quiet demeanor against louder soundtrack elements and ambient noise. This exceptional lossless mix successfully balances clear dialogue with a richly textured audio environment, making it an outstanding audio presentation for a character-driven dramedy.

The extras on the Blu-ray release of "This Must Be the Place" are disappointingly minimal. There are no supplemental features to enrich the viewing experience, making this a bare-bones release. The lack of interviews with the star or commentary is particularly disappointing. Insights into the creation of the character or the film in general would have added significant value. Even a simple trailer is absent. This missed opportunity to provide fans with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the movie's production and narrative elements is keenly felt.

Extras included in this disc: None.

Paolo Sorrentino's "This Must Be the Place" (2011) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Anchor Bay Entertainment/The Weinstein Company, albeit without supplemental features. The film follows Cheyenne (Sean Penn), a retired Goth rocker in Dublin who bears a striking resemblance to Robert Smith of The Cure. Now in his fifties, Cheyenne spends his days clad in elaborate makeup and outfits. Despite his wealth, he is emotionally despondent, haunted by past successes and a youthful fan's suicide. His stagnant life shifts dramatically upon learning of his estranged father's terminal illness and subsequent death in America. Discovering that his father was a Holocaust survivor tirelessly searching for his tormentor, Cheyenne embarks on a cross-country journey with a resolve to complete his father's unfinished task.

Sorrentino’s first English-language film merges elements of dark humor and drama, reminiscent of his earlier work, "L'amico di famiglia". The film moves at a measured pace, characterized by long, contemplative takes and sparsely spoken, yet impactful dialogues. Sean Penn delivers a nuanced performance as Cheyenne, portraying him as an immensely introspective individual who eschews societal norms. Throughout his journey, the viewer is treated to Sorrentino’s unique visual perspective of America, capturing the surreal beauty in mundane settings – from desert roads to old motels. Cinematographer Luca Bigazzi's work is particularly commendable, evoking comparisons to the visual grandeur of films like Wim Wenders' "Paris, Texas."

The soundtrack, composed by David Byrne in collaboration with indie rocker Will Oldham, features original tracks by Talking Heads (from which the film gets its name), Gavin Friday, and Iggy Pop. The film’s blend of rich cinematography and a poignant musical score enriches the narrative, making for an experience that lingers beyond its slow-paced unfolding. "This Must Be the Place" stands out for its character-driven storytelling framed within a visually and sonically immersive journey across America.

Paolo Sorrentino's 'This Must Be the Place' stands out as a distinctive cinema piece, with Sean Penn delivering an intriguing performance as an aging Goth rock star. The narrative, much like its protagonist, takes a meandering path, gradually unfolding into a profound commentary on contemporary life. Although the film might not resonate with everyone due to its deliberate pacing and eccentric tone, it provides an insightful and engaging experience for viewers who appreciate unique storytelling. The Blu-ray presentation is commendable, boasting excellent audio and video quality that truly enhances the film's atmospheric depth.

However, what detracts from this release is the notable absence of supplemental features. Comparing this version to the European release, particularly the United Kingdom edition by Trinity Home Entertainment, it's apparent that this edition is considerably sparse in additional content. The European release includes the longer Cannes 2011/International cut of the film and several informative extras which are missing here. For fans of Sorrentino looking for a more comprehensive look at his work, the European versions offer a richer experience.

In conclusion, while the Anchor Bay Entertainment/The Weinstein Company release of 'This Must Be the Place' delivers in technical quality with splendid audiovisuals, it falls short due to its lack of extras. If you can only access Region A discs, this version is still worth considering for Sorrentino enthusiasts and those drawn to Sean Penn's portrayal. However, for those with the capability to play Region B discs, the European release remains the superior choice. RECOMMENDED, but with reservations based on the limited supplementary content.