Washington Square Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Washington Square" by Kino Lorber Studio Classics boasts a commendable AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the film’s original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The image is consistently clean and sharp, delivering a vibrant palette, particularly with vivid reds and blues. While the color saturation levels are excellent, flesh tones occasionally exhibit slight pinkish hues. Detail levels are finely rendered, particularly in fabrics, costumes, and draperies, with natural grain resolution enhancing the overall visual quality.

Despite some minor nicks and blemishes, the presentation is largely pleasing, with no significant age-related artifacts affecting the viewing experience. Black levels are good, albeit not exceptional. The film remains divided into 8 chapters for user convenience. Overall, this transfer maintains high technical standards typical of Kino Lorber Studio Classics' notable releases.

The audio presentation of "Washington Square" on Blu-ray features a commendable DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix that excels in delivering an immersive auditory experience. The string-laden score by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek, which is reminiscent of the works of Debussy and Ravel, offers a lush and captivating backdrop. Dialogue is rendered with clarity and precision throughout the film. Furthermore, several outdoor scenes benefit from meticulously crafted ambient environmental effects, adding a layer of realism to the audio landscape.

From a technical perspective, the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo track offers clean, artifact-free listening, devoid of any hiss, crackle, flutter, or popping. While dialogue generally remains distinct and easily discernible, there are instances where Kaczmarek’s evocative score slightly overpowers softer spoken lines. Despite this minor issue, the music maintains a pleasant spread across the sound field, with sound effects judiciously placed to enhance the viewing experience.

The extras on the Blu-ray release of "Washington Square" provide a range of insightful and engaging additions that enhance the viewing experience. The key highlight is the audio commentary by director Agnieszka Holland. While Holland’s commentary reveals behind-the-scenes insights, her frequent explanatory pauses and occasional factual missteps can disrupt the flow. Complementing this is the theatrical trailer, which is presented in standard definition, offering a nostalgic glance at the film's promotional approach. Furthermore, trailers for other Kino Lorber releases add value, potentially sparking interest in additional historical dramas.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by Director Agnieszka Holland: An informative but occasionally disjointed track.
• Washington Square Trailer: Standard definition promotional trailer.
• Kino Lorber Trailers: Including "The Scarlet Letter," "The Crucible," "Feast of July," "Tristan + Isolde," and "The Bounty."

The 1997 adaptation of Henry James' "Washington Square" presents a nuanced, albeit understated, cinematic offering that remains faithful to its literary roots. Directed by Agnieszka Holland, the film meticulously captures the nuanced psychology typical of James' novels, demonstrating the author’s preoccupation with the complex human psyche. Jennifer Jason Leigh stars as the awkward and charmless heiress Catherine Sloper, whose romantic entanglement with the charming yet penniless Morris Townsend, played by Ben Chaplin, raises suspicions of ulterior motives from her calculating father, Dr. Austin Sloper (Albert Finney). The story is enriched by strong supporting performances, including Maggie Smith as Catherine's romantic Aunt Lavinia.

Leigh and Finney deliver accomplished performances with Leigh convincingly transitioning from naive simplicity to subdued authority, although she lacks the poignant spark Olivia de Havilland brought to the role in "The Heiress". Finney's portrayal of Dr. Sloper stands out for its dry wit and nuanced firmness. However, Chaplin's Morris lacks the charismatic ambiguity needed for the role. Smith’s portrayal of Aunt Lavinia misses some of her usual wryness which might disappoint her fans. Nevertheless, secondary roles are competently executed, with Judith Ivey bringing depth as Dr. Sloper’s sister Elizabeth and Jennifer Garner adding charm as cousin Marian.

The film's stylistic choices, such as the opening shot that gently descends from clouds into the Sloper household, showcase Holland's talent, although subsequent scenes suffer from static direction. The screenplay by Carol Doyle stays closer to James’ novel than previous adaptations but introduces feminist interpretations that reframe Catherine’s journey from a shrinking violet to a woman of quiet strength. Despite this fidelity to the source material, the film's conclusion lacks the dramatic satisfaction of "The Heiress", subtly altering viewers’ emotional takeaway. While “Washington Square” may lack the broader appeal and drama of its predecessors, it offers a commendable tribute to James' intricate storytelling.

Agnieszka Holland’s adaptation of "Washington Square" offers a visually and dramatically rich interpretation of Henry James’ novel. The Blu-ray transfer by Kino Lorber presents the film with impressive clarity, showcasing its meticulous period detail and evocative cinematography. The color palette is faithfully rendered, capturing the film's restrained elegance. Both visual sharpness and audio fidelity are of high standards, providing an immersive viewing experience.

The performances are uniformly excellent, with standout contributions that convey the novel’s intricate emotional landscape. While Holland's stylistic choices may at times feel intrusive, this does not detract from the overall quality of the adaptation. The score and sound design complement the understated tension and drama, helping to maintain an engaging narrative flow throughout.

In conclusion, Washington Square stands as a worthy cinematic effort that delivers both on a technical and performance level. The Criterion Collection recently released The Heiress, and this might make an interesting double feature for fans who picked up the old William Wyler classic. I'm not sure Holland's more stylistically overt tendencies really help the film, and some may feel, as I did at least on a couple of occasions, that they're downright distracting. That said, performances here are superb, and the production design very handsome. Technical merits are solid, and with caveats duly noted, Washington Square comes Recommended.