Lay the Favorite Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Lay the Favorite" by Anchor Bay shows impressive technical proficiency, albeit with mixed results. Michael McDonough's cinematography, known for its digital clarity in "Winter's Bone" and "Albert Nobbs," shines through in selected segments, especially in capturing the essence of daily life in Las Vegas. The 1080p, AVC-encoded transfer is generally clean and sharp, showcasing fine details and deep black levels with minimal noise or artifacts. Colors are vivid and well-balanced, particularly in Vegas scenes that bring a vibrant yet naturalistic palette to the screen. This creates an immersive viewing experience that captures day-to-day nuances without overemphasizing the city's iconic glitz and glamor.

However, inconsistency mars the presentation. While some shots offer remarkable clarity and a balanced color palette, others appear soft or oversaturated. Notably, some scenes display a dichotomy in color accuracy, with objects like Bruce Willis' orange T-shirt varying wildly in hue within the same sequence—ranging from normal orange to a nearly red tint. The New York scenes transition to a darker, more monochromatic style, maintaining adherence to the narrative's tone but occasionally lacking a cohesive visual identity. Despite these hitches, the Blu-ray excels in naturalistic photography and dynamic depth, though it could benefit from more uniformity in visual quality.

Overall, the video presentation delivers high-definition aptitude that will appeal to many viewers, though aficionados might find the lack of visual cohesion somewhat distracting.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack for the Blu-ray of "Lay the Favorite" presents a mixed bag of auditory experiences. On the positive side, dialogue delivery is consistently clear, even amidst scenes laden with rapid exchanges and overlapping conversations, often seen in Dink, Inc.'s bustling offices. The opening score sets a dynamic tone, featuring a full-bodied kick drum that adds an engaging punch. However, there is a noticeable lack of rear and atmospheric presence, with minimal surround activity that ultimately falls short of creating an immersive sound environment.

While the mix adeptly manages to separate individual voices without reducing them to unintelligible noise, the overall auditory experience can be described as functional yet unremarkable. The surround channels mainly contribute a general sense of ambiance rather than offering any significant enhancement or depth. The score by James Seymour Brett, although serviceable, lacks the vigor to elevate the film’s auditory experience. This results in a soundtrack that, while free from any major technical flaws, misses opportunities to fully immerse the viewer through the sound design.

The Blu-ray extras for "Lay the Favorite" provide a succinct but engaging insight into the film's discarded content and marketing efforts. The collection of eleven deleted scenes, presented in 1080p and a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, offers viewers additional context into the characters and narrative, although their overall omission likely benefited the film's pacing. Among these, a standout is the scene where Beth calls Dink from New York, adding a noteworthy moment of character interaction. Additionally, the inclusion of trailers for other Weinstein Company releases—The Details, Bachelorette, and Butter—though accessible only upon startup and skippable via the chapter forward button, provides an interesting glance into the studio's promotional strategy.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Eleven scenes that offer further insights into the story.
• Trailers: The Details, Bachelorette, and Butter; only available at disc startup.

"Lay the Favorite," directed by Stephen Frears, carries heavy expectations given its eminent cast, including Bruce Willis, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Rebecca Hall, Joshua Jackson, and Vince Vaughn. Based on Beth Raymer's autobiography, the narrative dives into the shady world of gambling, but regrettably fails to translate its gritty premise into an equally gripping cinematic experience. The story follows Beth Raymer (Hall) as she transitions from a Florida stripper to a Las Vegas sports gambler. Despite a capable portrayal by Hall, whose quirky performance is a highlight, the film's tone remains disappointingly flat.

The screenplay by D.V. DeVincentis lacks depth and focus. It oscillates between comedy and drama without committing to either, painting characters in broad, almost caricatured strokes, which undermines their credibility. Bruce Willis, who seems to simply play himself, and Vince Vaughn's portrayal of Rosie with a credible accent but bad hair, do little to uplift the lackluster narrative. Their performances, accompanied by Zeta-Jones’s jealous wife trope, fail to inject any real tension or humor into the scenes.

Frears directs with his usual competence, setting up scenes and keeping the action flowing, but ultimately the script doesn’t provide enough substance to either educate the audience on professional sports gambling or convey the dangers of gambling addiction effectively. The film is caught in an identity crisis, unable to deliver a coherent message or evoke significant emotional responses. The inclusion of deleted scenes hints at missed opportunities for more nuanced storytelling; particularly with Laura Prepon’s Holly who could have lent a darker edge to the otherwise tepid storyline. Despite a promising setup and capable cast, "Lay the Favorite" gambles and loses, resulting in an uninspiring watch that neither entertains nor enlightens as fully as it might have.

"Lay the Favorite" presents an intriguing premise with an acclaimed cast and creative team, but ultimately falls short of expectation. The film stars Bruce Willis and Rebecca Hall, both seasoned actors capable of delivering engaging performances. Directed by Stephen Frears, the movie sets itself up for success, but fails to capitalize on its potential, offering only fleeting entertainment rather than a compelling narrative.

Despite the promising ingredients, "Lay the Favorite" does not manage to fully leverage its backdrop of Las Vegas and the gambling scene. For aficionados of this genre or the specific talents involved, the film may serve as a minor delight. However, it struggles to maintain lasting impact beyond its runtime, rendering it a forgettable experience. Notably, Rebecca Hall's fans might see a glimmer of value in her performance, yet this alone doesn't suffice to redeem the overall mediocrity.

In conclusion, while "Lay the Favorite" might provide a short-lived distraction, it doesn't justify a purchase. Its ephemeral appeal makes it more suitable for a rental at best. Enthusiasts of Bruce Willis or Rebecca Hall could find some satisfaction in viewing their favorite actors at work, but for most viewers, it's advisable to seek entertainment elsewhere.