The Goldfinch Blu-ray Review

Roger Deakins' masterful cinematography in The Goldfinch is presented with remarkable finesse on Blu-ray, evocatively conveying the film's mood through meticulously curated visual tones. In its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the Blu-ray boasts exquisitely detailed imagery, with a sharpness and depth of field that captivate the viewer. The vibrant portrayal of New York City's saturated streets contrasts seamlessly with the muted, earthy hues of Nevada's desert landscapes, demonstrating a striking range of color application. Skin tones maintain natural highlights, even within various lighting schemes, while shadow details and black levels support substantial depth and contrast, particularly noticeable in dimly lit scenes.

Color representation in this transfer is intelligently nuanced, enhancing the emotional context of each scene via a deliberate chromatic design. Primary colors exhibit vividness where appropriate, while the more subdued tones in other scenes reflect a subdued environment. Intimate details in facial features and costume textures are brought to life with remarkable clarity and accuracy, making even Theodore's corduroy attire visually stunning. The interior shots employ warm amber hues with occasional blue color grading pushes, contributing to a visually engaging palette that maintains coherence throughout.

Technically, the Blu-ray's encoding in MPEG-4 AVC resolution ensures that no detail is lost, rendering a pristine viewing experience free of artifacts. Despite the lack of a 4K UHD release, the 1080p resolution offers a clean and crisp presentation that still impresses. This attention to detail means every scene—from the luxurious Manhattan apartment interiors to the sprawling desert skies—feels tangible and lived-in, delivering one of the most visually compelling Blu-rays in recent memory.

The audio presentation of "The Goldfinch" on Blu-ray features a finely tuned DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that provides a strong, immersive experience, particularly for a low-key drama. This track excels in dialogue clarity, ensuring that even the quietest whispers are rendered with crisp precision. The soundstage is expansive, enveloping the listener in subtle yet effective ambient noises and tonal intricacies of Trevor Gureckis' somber scoring. During scenes set in the bustling environment of New York or the Nevada desert, the surround channels come to life with weather-related effects and atmospheric sounds that amplify the on-screen environments without being overpowering.

Bass response is generally reserved, yet delivers impactful moments during action sequences like the end shootout and thunderstorms, adding a palpable sense of tension and realism. Podium effects and channel separation are well executed, allowing subtle background elements to shine without overshadowing the primary audio components. The occasional use of pop music within the soundtrack is handled adeptly, creating an additional layer of sonic interest as these cues move fluidly across various channels. Overall, the 5.1 mix, while understated for much of the film, provides necessary depth and dynamism when appropriate.

Optional subtitles in English (SDH), Spanish, French, and Portuguese are well-integrated and feature accurately synchronized text that fits within the 1.85:1 frame without distraction. Also offered are multiple languages in 5.1 Dolby Digital for French, Spanish, and Portuguese. This Blu-ray audio mix successfully captures the essence of "The Goldfinch," ensuring an audibly engaging experience that complements the visual narrative effectively.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Goldfinch" provide insightful and well-executed content, enhancing the viewing experience despite the lack of a 4K release. Packaged in a standard two-disc keepcase with poster-themed cover art and a digital copy redemption slip, the on-disc extras are thoughtfully curated. "The Goldfinch Unbound" offers a behind-the-scenes look at the adaptation process, discussing casting, location scouting, and cinematography. "The Real Goldfinch" delivers a historical dive into Carel Fabritius' painting, detailing both its significance and the film's meticulous reproduction efforts. Finally, sixteen minutes of deleted scenes offer additional context but were mainly cut due to pacing constraints. Overall, while not exhaustive, these extras efficiently expand on the film's themes and production challenges, making them worthwhile for fans.

Extras included in this disc:

The Goldfinch Unbound: A behind-the-scenes featurette discussing adaptation challenges, casting, and more.

The Real Goldfinch: Historical context on Carel Fabritius' painting and its film reproduction.

Deleted Scenes: Sixteen minutes of additional scenes with director commentary.

Review: The Goldfinch (Blu-ray)

"The Goldfinch," adapted from Donna Tartt’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, had the challenging task of distilling an 800+ page epic into a 149-minute film. While such a feat was always going to leave some fans dissatisfied, the severity of the critical backlash seems excessive. Director John Crowley’s film navigates a labyrinth of emotions and events, following Theo Decker’s life post the traumatic loss of his mother in a terrorist attack at New York's Metropolitan Museum. Young Theo (Oakes Fegley) steals a priceless Dutch painting, "The Goldfinch," during the chaos, a decision that haunts his journey into adulthood, portrayed by Ansel Elgort. The film oscillates between Theo's childhood, fostered by a wealthy family (Nicole Kidman as Mrs. Barbour) and later being uprooted to Nevada when his estranged father reappears, and his adult life riddled with PTSD and drug abuse.

Despite its inherent narrative density and episodic nature, the film finds strength in its performances and visual storytelling. Roger Deakins' cinematography is stellar, capturing the contrasting worlds of Theo's dusty Las Vegas exile and the nostalgic remnants of his New York beginnings with stunning clarity. The performances by Oakes Fegley and Ansel Elgort provide a compelling continuity to Theo's character, while supporting roles from Jeffrey Wright (as Hobart, an understanding antique dealer) offer moments of warmth and authenticity. However, the film often stumbles under the weight of its heavy script, which tries to retain much of the novel’s intricate details and introspective tone but occasionally feels emotionally inert.

Where "The Goldfinch" truly excels is in its nonverbal cues and memory flashbacks, where silence speaks louder than dialogue. Yet, the film's ambition to cover vast ground results in certain subplots feeling rushed or disjointed, such as Theo’s relationship with Boris (Finn Wolfhard as a child, Aneurin Barnard as an adult) which veers into a somewhat implausible heist scenario. Crowley’s direction tends to overindulge in melodrama, making the emotional beats feel exaggerated at times. Nonetheless, the film remains a fascinating, if flawed, exploration of loss and survival. Roger Deakins’ visual mastery and the cast’s earnest performances ensure that "The Goldfinch" is an engaging watch, albeit one that might be better appreciated with moderated expectations.

John Crowley's adaptation of The Goldfinch receives unjust criticism if initial reviews and box-office performances are the benchmarks. While not flawless, the film has many commendable qualities that merit its evaluation. Anchored by strong performances from Ansel Elgort and Oakes Fegley, the emotional depth they bring to their roles is notable. Additionally, Roger Deakins' cinematography is visually striking, creating a poignant visual narrative that significantly boosts the film's impact. Although some aspects of Peter Straughan’s screenplay might come across as intermittently disjointed, the overall experience is sufficiently immersive for most viewers.

The technical specifications of this Blu-ray release stand out. Presented in a 1.85:1 AVC aspect ratio, the high-definition visuals offer crisp and engaging imagery throughout its 149-minute runtime. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack ensures an immersive audio experience, with additional audio tracks available in multiple languages, complemented by a variety of subtitle options including English SDH, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Warner Bros' production quality shines through, providing a viewing experience that captures the film’s subtleness and grandeur effectively. The modest selection of extras accompanying the disc adds value without overwhelming, making it a well-rounded package for home entertainment.

In conclusion, The Goldfinch might not have captured the brilliance of its literary source or previous Crowley works such as Brooklyn, yet it stands as a respectable adaptation. This multifaceted drama is worth a watch for those who appreciate slow-burn character studies with high production values. As a Blu-ray release, it offers top-tier audio-visual quality that complements its artistic ambitions. A solid rental at the very least, it will find its admirers among fans of thoughtful cinematic endeavors.

Recommendation: Solid Watch