The Black Dahlia Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "The Black Dahlia" features a distinct visual aesthetic characterized by a muted chromatic palette with sepia tones and subdued primaries, effectively capturing the period ambiance intended by the filmmakers. This stylistic choice, complemented by strategic filtering and lighting techniques, provides an evocative period look. Certain scenes employ a bolder use of color with deeper saturation, while contrast and brightness levels are well balanced, resulting in distortion-free and satisfying image quality. Blacks are deep and punchy, although delineation in low-level scenes is just average. Flesh tones maintain sufficient complexional variety, avoiding a lifeless appearance.

Despite these strengths, viewers will notice a consistently soft and grainy appearance due to the VC-1 encode at 1080p resolution with a 2.42:1 aspect ratio. The prevalence of amber-yellow photography, echoing Southern California's sunlight, imbues the film with a distinctive but occasionally soft visual quality, reminiscent of an upconverted SD-DVD. Grain is evident throughout, especially in darker scenes, while midrange and close-up shots exhibit acceptable detail without exceptional contrast. Director Brian De Palma’s deliberate use of black and white or near-sepia tones enhances the retro ambiance of the film, with purported 8mm inserts looking appropriately grainy and soft.

Wide-angle shots, particularly those in natural daylight, display excellent depth and sharp definition quality. Close-ups offer appreciable texture and subtle refinement, maintaining a high level of detail that rarely comes into question. Throughout the film, no significant compression or video-related artifacts are observed, affirming the overall integrity of the Blu-ray's visual presentation. This Blu-ray might not represent a significant upgrade from the previous SD-DVD release but remains true to the director’s creative vision and period-specific aesthetics.

The audio presentation of "The Black Dahlia" on Blu-ray stands out with a Lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. This mix significantly enhances the film, balancing the need for dynamic impact with delicate sonic details. The soundtrack effectively utilizes the entire audio system, achieving deep resonating bass that augments both action sequences and the music score. It actively engages the surround channels with a blend of discreetly placed sounds and spatial ambiance that fills the room, resulting in an immersive and theater-like experience.

Despite the film's dialogue-heavy nature, the occasional moments of surround activity are striking. Notably, during Hartnett's shooting spree toward the end, the shift to surround sound is both surprising and adrenaline-pumping, contrasting sharply with the generally front-and-center focus of the rest of the film. Ambient noises, like those in the fight scenes and the final shot of Short's body being pecked at by a crow, contribute to a semblance of immersion. The high fidelity ensures excellent clarity, with dialogue, foley effects, and the score mixed to perfection. Although the overall surround activity is not constant, it is expertly handled when present, enhancing the film's atmosphere and viewer engagement.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Black Dahlia" offer concise, intriguing insights into both the film's making and its real-life inspirations. "Reality and Fiction: The Story of the Black Dahlia" provides a compelling, albeit brief, overview of the infamous crime and explores Ellroy's long-standing fascination with it. "The Case File" serves as a standard yet informative behind-the-scenes featurette, presenting an inside look at the filmmaking process. Perhaps most fascinating is "The De Palma Touch," which delves deeply into director Brian De Palma's unique approach and broader filmography. Additionally, this Blu-ray includes D-Box motion code and BD-Live support, enhancing the interactive experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Reality and Fiction: The Story of the Black Dahlia: Explores the crime and Ellroy's fascination with it.
• The Case File: Behind-the-scenes look at the film’s production.
• The De Palma Touch: Insight into Brian De Palma's directing style and career.
• D-Box motion code enabled
• BD-Live enabled

While Brian De Palma's "The Black Dahlia" had the potential to be a riveting time capsule of postwar America, it unfortunately falls short, focusing instead on lurid fictional subplots. The film stars Josh Hartnett and Aaron Eckhart as detectives investigating the gruesome murder of aspiring starlet Elizabeth Short, known as the Black Dahlia. As they delve deeper into the case, their lives unravel amidst obsession and scandal. Scarlett Johansson and Hilary Swank round out the cast, with Swank's performance veering into unintended camp territory, detracting from what should have been a more sinister atmosphere.

The most glaring issue is the deviation from historical facts and Ellroy's compelling source material. The filmmakers miss the opportunity to explore the shocking impact of Short's murder on the nascent tabloid culture of America. Instead, the film indulges in a soapy narrative that fails to do justice to the gravity of the crime. While Hartnett and Eckhart deliver competent performances, they are overshadowed by outlandish supporting roles, particularly Fiona Shaw’s excessively theatrical portrayal. The romance subplot between Hartnett and Johansson, albeit unremarkable, is one of the few elements that feel anchored in reality.

Overall, "The Black Dahlia" is a mixed bag, combining earnest efforts by its lead actors with missteps that drive it into unintendedly comedic territory. De Palma’s direction oscillates between homage and parody, resulting in a film that struggles to find its tone. Despite moments of potential, the film ultimately offers a scattered and unsatisfying portrayal of one of Los Angeles' most infamous unsolved murders. The case’s inherent fascination is lost amid melodramatic flairs and an unfocused narrative, making for an uneven cinematic experience.

"The Black Dahlia" on Blu-ray offers a mixed bag of technical brilliance and narrative shortcomings. The transfer of the film to high-definition is laudable, presenting a sharp, vibrant picture that utilizes the 1080p resolution to its fullest. The color grading aligns well with the film’s noir aesthetic, offering deep blacks and an overall polished look that should please enthusiasts. The audio tracks are equally commendable, with clear dialogue and a robust soundstage that enhances the period setting. However, these technical merits do not entirely compensate for the disjointed storytelling.

The film’s divergence from its source material, taking liberties with the actual events around Elizabeth Short's murder, results in an odd mix of fact and extravagant fiction. Adaptations always face challenges translating written nuance to screen, but "The Black Dahlia" seemingly loses coherence as it indulges in increasingly outlandish scenarios. Cinematic tangents that border on the bizarre often undermine the narrative thrust, rendering it at times more of an unintentional farce than a gripping mystery. These narrative missteps might entertain in isolation but collectively detract from the overall impact of the film.

In conclusion, while "The Black Dahlia" Blu-ray excels in its technical presentation, offering a visually and audibly satisfying experience, it ultimately falters in delivering a cohesive and engaging story. Despite its high production values and strong technical execution, the film's convoluted plot leaves much to be desired. For those interested in nuanced storytelling and cohesive narratives, "The Black Dahlia" may fall short of expectations.