I Knew Her Well Blu-ray Review

Criterion's presentation of "I Knew Her Well" on Blu-ray is a notable achievement in film restoration. The film is presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio and boasts an impressive 1080p MPEG-4 AVC transfer. This release benefits from a meticulous 4K digital restoration, sourced from the original 35mm camera negative and a 35mm fine-grain positive, ensuring exceptional image quality. The daylight footage demonstrates excellent depth and clarity, while nighttime scenes remain impressively detailed. The film exhibits solid black levels and a wide range of well-balanced grays, enhancing both the visual appeal and the overall viewing experience.

Persistent light and well-resolved grain throughout the film indicate a faithful presentation without overuse of noise reduction or sharpening techniques, preserving the original cinematic aesthetics. While minor fluctuations are visible in a few sequences, these are attributable to the original cinematography rather than any failure in the restoration process. Image stability is superb—free of any bumps, edge flicker, or awkward transitions—with no scratches, debris, or damaged frames interrupting the visual flow.

The print's overall clarity allows for fine patterns and textures in clothing and objects to be clearly discernible, making visually complex scenes feel more layered and authentic. The grayscale remains balanced, maintaining bright whites and deep blacks without crushing details. The subtle yet present grain gives the film a natural look, avoiding the overly polished, artificial feel that excessive digital tinkering can create. This Blu-ray release is Region-A locked, requiring a compatible player, but for those equipped, it promises a pristine viewing experience that faithfully respects Antonio Pietrangeli's original vision.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray release for "I Knew Her Well" features an Italian LPCM 1.0 track with optional English subtitles. This audio track, despite its mono configuration, delivers a surprisingly rich and engaging experience. The music, including standout tracks such as Gilbert Bécaud's "Toi," is presented with lush depth and clarity, maintaining correct pitch—a significant improvement over previous releases. The dialogue is clean, stable, and consistently easy to follow, free from pops, digital distortions, or audio dropouts.

Though inherently modest, the LPCM mono track remarkably enhances the film's visuals with well-balanced and crisp speech. The simplicity of the single-channel does not detract from the overall effect; rather, it complements the film’s aesthetic by accurately conveying the period-appropriate soundscape. The score, with its mix of jaunty pop elements, is faithfully reproduced with solid range and no background hissing or crackles. Overall, while the mono mix may lack the immersive qualities of modern multi-channel formats like DTS or Dolby Atmos, it stands as a respectful and authentic representation of the original audio that succeeds in honoring the film’s integrity.

Criterion has curated a concise yet invaluable selection of supplements for the Blu-ray release of "I Knew Her Well." Presented in 1080p with Dolby Digital 1.0 audio, the extras include insightful interviews and unique archival footage. Actress Stefania Sandrelli provides a retrospective on her casting and collaboration with director Antonio Pietrangeli, while film scholar Luca Barattoni delves into Pietrangeli's career, drawing comparisons to "La Dolce Vita" and examining post-neorealist cinema themes. An illustrated leaflet by Alexander Stille adds further context, enhancing the viewer's understanding of Pietrangeli's work.

Extras included in this disc:

• Stefania Sandrelli: A 2015 interview where the actress discusses her audition, character development, and working with Pietrangeli.
• Luca Barattoni: A 2015 interview with a film scholar analyzing Pietrangeli’s career and "I Knew Her Well."
• Trailer: Original trailer with music.
• Sandrelli's Audition: Archival footage of the actress’s original audition.
• Leaflet: Illustrated essay by Alexander Stille.

Antonio Pietrangeli’s "I Knew Her Well" (Io la conoscevo bene, 1965) employs a deceptively light-hearted cinematic approach to unravel the deeper tragedy hidden within the life of Adriana Astarelli, played brilliantly by Stefania Sandrelli. With an episodic structure, the film immerses viewers in Adriana’s whimsical attempts to become a movie star in Rome's glamorous yet unforgiving entertainment industry. Initially presented through a series of vibrant vignettes featuring parties, modeling gigs, and carefree escapades, Adriana's journey gradually unveils the exploitative and shallow nature of her social milieu. As the layers peel back, the narrative transforms into a poignant critique of the superficiality and brutality within the world Adriana aspires to conquer.

The film's atmospheric resemblance to Federico Fellini’s "La Dolce Vita" is notable; however, Pietrangeli’s representation is distinct. Where Fellini’s protagonist is a jaded insider complicit in his surroundings, Adriana remains an innocent and hopeful outsider. This key difference magnifies the emotional gravity and disturbing reality of Pietrangeli’s portrayal. The juxtaposition of high-spirited scenes against undercurrents of exploitation, isolation, and disillusionment effectively captures the relentless grind of a system that chews up and spits out young hopefuls like Adriana. Sandrelli’s performance is powerful, seamlessly navigating between Adriana’s outward charm and her inner despair, making her character's plight both sympathetic and tragically authentic.

The film's visual and auditory craftsmanship enhances its thematic depth. Cinematographer Armando Nannuzzi’s work provides striking contrasts in tone and atmosphere, while Piero Piccioni’s soundtrack weaves a complex emotional tapestry that underscores the film’s evolving narrative. Notable editing techniques, such as strategic flashbacks and cross-cutting sequences, amplify the haunting ambiguity of Adriana's story. These stylistic choices underscore Pietrangeli’s critical social commentary, culminating in a narrative that both critiques and empathizes with its protagonist. "I Knew Her Well" thus leaves an indelible impression, inviting viewers to reflect on how deeply they understand Adriana's true struggles beneath her captivating facade.

Antonio Pietrangeli’s "I Knew Her Well" presents an incisive character study of an ambitious provincial girl, played by the captivating Stefania Sandrelli, who seeks stardom in Rome. This elegant and, at times, quite humorous film skillfully unravels the shallow and exploitative nature of her journey, eventually revealing the underlying tragedy. Its subtle depiction of the protagonist’s complexities has been brought to life through a recently completed 4K restoration, which looks magnificent on high-definition Blu-ray. The sharp visual detail and clear audio enhance the viewing experience, making this edition stand out technically.

Despite a somewhat limited selection, the included supplements on this Blu-ray disc remain informative and well-curated, providing valuable context and depth to Pietroangelo’s work. The movie’s restoration is a significant contribution to Criterion’s catalog, particularly since Antonio Pietrangeli’s oeuvre had not garnered the recognition it deserved in North America. This particular film demonstrates his proficiency and creativity, positioning him alongside the grand masters of Italian cinema from that era.

In conclusion, "I Knew Her Well" stands as an essential addition to any cinephile’s collection. It is not only a testament to Pietrangeli's remarkable directorial capability but also serves as a poignant critique of superficial aspirations and societal exploitation. The outstanding restoration ensures that modern audiences can appreciate the film's visual and auditory excellence. This release is indeed very highly recommended.