Vanya on 42nd Street Blu-ray Review

Criterion's Blu-ray presentation of Louis Malle’s Vanya on 42nd Street is nothing short of exemplary. The film, now presented in a 1.66:1 aspect ratio with a 1080p HD transfer, utilizes MPEG-4 AVC encoding. Supervised by director of photography Declan Quinn, this digital transfer originates from the original Super 16mm negative and 35mm interpositive, scanned in 2K resolution using an ARRISCAN film scanner. The meticulous digital cleanup has effectively eradicated thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, splices, warps, jitter, and flicker, leveraging tools like Image Systems' Phonix MTI's DRS.

This high-definition transfer impresses across all evaluative facets—detail, clarity, contrast, and color reproduction all receive substantial upgrades. Close-up shots reveal exceptional depth and intricate details such as individual hairs and makeup blemishes, enhancing the film’s intimate atmosphere. Color reproduction is superb, displaying a wide palette of deeply saturated yet natural hues including rich browns, warm reds, and neutral grays. The skin tones are consistently natural, adding fidelity to character presentations. Importantly, the filmic quality is maintained by a well-resolved layer of fine grain, avoiding any post-production sharpening or problematic denoising, ensuring a cinematic texture throughout.

Throughout the viewing, black levels remain consistently deep and inky without shadow definition issues—an improvement from previous releases marred by problematic shadowing. Additionally, the presentation exhibits no signs of banding, aliasing, or video noise, solidifying its status as technically flawless. This Criterion release sets a new standard for the preservation and presentation of Vanya on 42nd Street, making it an essential acquisition for aficionados and a benchmark for future video transfers.

(Note: This Blu-ray disc is Region-A locked, requiring a native Region-A or Region-Free player for access.)

The Blu-ray release of "Vanya on 42nd Street" features a singular audio track in English LPCM 2.0, accompanied by optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. According to Criterion, the original stereo soundtrack was meticulously remastered at 24-bit from the original 35mm magnetic audio tracks. During this process, clicks, thumps, hiss, and hum were manually removed using Pro Tools HD, while crackle was mitigated through the use of AudioCube's integrated workstation.

Given that "Vanya on 42nd Street" is a dialogue-centric film with intermittent jazz solos, the lossless LPCM 2.0 track predictably exhibits a constrained dynamic amplitude. Nevertheless, the dialogue remains exceptionally crisp, clean, stable, and easy to follow throughout the film. There are no sync issues or audio dropouts to disrupt the viewer's experience. While the track lacks immersive qualities and expansive dynamic range commonly associated with action-heavy films, it excels in presenting clear and directed dialogue—a crucial element for this type of content. This Criterion release ensures that the dialogue is as precise and engaging as technically possible.

The Blu-Ray release of "Vanya on 42nd Street" features exceptional extras that delve deeply into the film's creation and significance, offering a reflective look from those who made it possible. The standout is the new documentary, "Like Life: The Making of Vanya on 42nd Street," produced by Criterion in 2011, which includes insightful discussions with director Andre Gregory, producer Fred Berner, and key cast members such as Wallace Shawn and Julianne Moore. Supplementing this is the original theatrical trailer and a meticulously crafted 22-page booklet featuring essays by Steven Vineberg and Amy Taubin. Together, these extras provide a comprehensive and enriching view of the film's journey from stage to screen.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: The original theatrical trailer for "Vanya on 42nd Street".
• Like Life: The Making of Vanya on 42nd Street: Documentary exploring the film's creation with key contributors.
• Booklet: A 22-page booklet with essays by Steven Vineberg and Amy Taubin.

Louis Malle's "Vanya on 42nd Street" represents a seamless blend of theatre and film, presented on Blu-ray by Criterion. The film, a fascinating exploration of Anton Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya," follows a group of seasoned actors including Wallace Shawn, Julianne Moore, Larry Pine, and George Gaynes as they rehearse the play in a dilapidated New York City theatre. The dramatic core of the story remains faithful to Chekhov's original work, but with an added layer of contemporary relevance and subtle dark humor.

While the plot is anchored by familiar themes of unrequited love and existential frustration, the real strength lies in the authentic performances. The portrayal of Uncle Vanya's turmoil over his love for Serebryakov's young wife Yelena, and Sonya's unreciprocated affection for Dr. Astrov, feel palpably genuine. These interactions transcend typical acting; the emotional depth and veracity come across as lived experiences rather than rehearsed dialogue. This naturalistic approach is bolstered by David Mamet’s brilliant adaptation and Andre Gregory’s detailed direction.

What sets this film apart is its intimate documentation of the actors' journey — from initial table reads to full scene blocking — capturing the organic process of creating theatre. The cumulative effect is a raw and immersive viewing experience that provides unique insights into both the narrative and the art of acting itself. Despite its minimalistic setup, the film exudes an intense and engaging atmosphere, making it a valuable piece for aficionados of both theatre and cinema alike. Louis Malle's final directorial effort showcases an exemplary ensemble performance, leaving behind a poignant homage to artistic dedication.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of "Vanya on 42nd Street" stands as the definitive screen adaptation of Anton Chekhov's celebrated play. The film captures the essence of live theater with performances that are both powerful and nuanced, making it essential viewing for theater enthusiasts. The high-definition transfer from the camera negative makes this Blu-ray a significant improvement over previous DVD releases, showcasing stunning video clarity and rich audio fidelity.

Each actor delivers an extraordinary performance that elevates the material, demonstrating why this adaptation is so highly regarded. Criterion’s technical prowess is evident in the vivid reproduction of the film’s intimate setting and nuanced sound design, which amplifies the evocative mood of Chekhov’s narrative. Though minimal in extras, the included supplement adds valuable context to the film and enhances the overall viewing experience.

In summary, Criterion's release of "Vanya on 42nd Street" is a remarkable achievement, marrying superb performances with stellar technical quality. It is an indispensable addition to any film library and a testament to the timeless appeal of Chekhov’s work. Highly recommended!