Restless Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Restless" is framed in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and encoded in 1080p/AVC MPEG-4. The film embraces a darker, softer aesthetic, evident in its hazy and muted visual style that sometimes verges on murky. The palette leans towards a slightly warm tone but is generally dim and lacks vibrancy. Flesh tones appear marginally warm and pale, while blacks, though fair at times, range from murky to washed out. Clarity in fine detail remains elusive; clothing textures such as Annabel's sweater and Hiroshi's flight suit fare better, but overall facial details appear pasty and poorly defined. The image struggles with slight color gradations, leading to banding and uneven color transitions in lower-light scenes, which detracts from any striking definition.

This release notably lacks the typical high-definition sharpness expected from modern Blu-ray presentations. The overall image appears flat and two-dimensional, eschewing the depth typically associated with HD footage. Colors are generally washed out, victims of a persistent haze. Contrast is excessive, further diminishing the visual experience by rendering blacks non-black and elevating a sense of continual soft focus throughout the film’s duration. Additionally, technical issues such as echoing traces of moving bright objects against dark backgrounds and noticeable artifacts mar the viewing experience. While absent of edge enhancement and digital noise reduction (DNR), the overall image quality suggests that their presence would hardly make a perceptible difference.

Ultimately, while the presentation may be true to the film's intended look, it falls short of the high standards often expected from Sony's Blu-ray releases. The "Restless" transfer reflects a digitally shot origin that lacks the nuanced detail and filmic authenticity of traditional film, and the resultant visual experience leaves much to be desired for those seeking a pristine HD portrayal.

The audio presentation of "Restless" on Blu Ray features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack that is both commendable and somewhat flawed. The mix excels in delivering natural and immersive ambiences, such as the echoing voices and general background noises at a funeral, which provide a palpable sense of environment. Additionally, subtle effects—chirping birds, the rattling interior of a bus, and distant train whistles—are all handled with clarity and authenticity. The music score is a standout element, offering balanced low-end frequencies, excellent clarity, and nuanced surround support.

However, the track is not without its issues, chiefly revolving around the dialogue mixing. Throughout the film, dialogues suffer from distortion and muffling, which detracts significantly from the viewing experience. At times, it seems as though the dialogue track has been artificially amplified to compensate for its initial softness, leading to noticeable ambient hissing and occasional hollow echoes. These deficiencies make it challenging to catch every spoken word without resorting to subtitles, an inconvenient but necessary workaround.

In summary, while "Restless" offers an engaging audio scene with strong ambient elements and beautifully mixed music, it falls short in delivering clear and consistent dialogue. The result is a mixed experience that may necessitate tweaking volume levels or relying on subtitles for full comprehension.

The Blu-ray extras of "Restless" offer a rich array of featurettes, deleted scenes, and an intriguing silent version directed by Gus Van Sant. The silent version, presented in 1080p and DD 2.0, runs for 1:16:25 and consists of dialogue-free takes with sound maintained through effects and silent movie cards. Other notable features include "Enoch & Annabel: One Love," a brief yet insightful exploration of the main characters' relationship, and "Enoch & Hiroshi: The Best of Friends," which delves into Hiroshi's background. "Gus Van Sant: Independent Voice" sees the cast praising Van Sant, although his direct voice is absent. "Being Restless" addresses the film's production history and thematic considerations, while "Coming to Life: This is Restless" features candid discussions between writer Jason Lew and producer Bryce Dallas Howard. The package is rounded off with deleted scenes, the theatrical trailer, and additional previews of other Sony titles.

Extras included in this disc:

• Gus Van Sant's Silent Version of Restless: A completely silent take on the film with sound effects and silent movie cards.
• Enoch & Annabel: One Love: Cast and crew discuss character dynamics.
• Enoch & Hiroshi: The Best of Friends: Explores Hiroshi's role and origins.
• Gus Van Sant: Independent Voice: Praise from cast and crew about director Gus Van Sant.
• Being Restless: Covers production history, story shaping, and themes.
• Coming to Life: This is Restless: Discussion on script development and film title evolution.
• Deleted Scenes: Includes Enoch Car Gag, It's a Long Trip, and Enoch and Elizabeth.
• Restless Theatrical Trailer
• Previews
• BD-Live
• DVD Copy

Gus Van Sant’s "Restless" navigates the intricate terrain of life and death through the unique perspectives of its two central characters, Enoch (Henry Hopper) and Annabel (Mia Wasikowska). The film intertwines the somber with the serene, yielding a narrative both macabre and tender. Enoch, a young man fixated on death, frequently attends funerals of strangers, exploring his existential curiosities. His path crosses with Annabel, a terminally ill lover of Darwin's works. Their bond grows as they navigate the realms of life and death, finding beauty and strength in their final months together. This film, while seemingly dark at first glance, ultimately morphs into a gentle exploration of purpose and connection amidst the omnipresence of mortality.

Van Sant's direction ensures that "Restless" doesn’t just dwell in the morbid but elevates its peculiar premise to a poignant tale of growth and acceptance. The film’s thematic depth is highlighted by the characters' contrasts — Enoch’s fascination with death versus Annabel’s vibrant zest for life despite her grim prognosis. The interplay between Hopper and Wasikowska is marked by nuanced performances that add layers to their characters’ unconventional journey. This duality is further captured through Enoch’s imaginary friend Hiroshi, a WWII kamikaze pilot whose ethereal presence adds a surreal layer to an already complex story. However, while this subplot offers depth, it occasionally feels disjointed, underserving the film’s core narrative.

Overall, "Restless" is an evocative experience that melds profound themes with distinctive storytelling. The film urges viewers to celebrate life even in the face of death’s inevitability, a message encapsulated beautifully in its quieter moments. Though occasionally meandering and uneven in its execution, "Restless" stands out due to its earnest portrayal of love and loss. It is a quiet reflection on finding meaning amidst life’s most profound uncertainties, threading a delicate balance between the somber and the affirming.

Gus Van Sant's "Restless" endeavors to blend the themes of youthful romance with an exploration of the human condition and the acceptance of mortality. The film portrays the delicate relationship between Annabel and Enoch, centering on their shared journey of understanding life and death. Despite its noble intent, the narrative occasionally struggles with cohesion, primarily due to an unfocused script that fails to solidify either storyline satisfactorily. The character dynamics, particularly between Enoch and his ghostly companion Hiroshi, feel forced and detract from the central theme. Hopper's portrayal of Enoch unfortunately lacks the emotional depth necessary to convince audiences of his purported affections.

Technically, the Blu-ray presentation of "Restless" is a mixed bag. While some may find the visual and auditory qualities sufficient, there are noticeable deficiencies that can distract from the film's poignant moments. The picture quality is lacking in clarity and detail, which diminishes the overall viewing experience. Audio-wise, dialogue and soundtrack elements do not blend seamlessly, leaving viewers intermittently detached from the film’s emotional beats. Furthermore, the supplementary features included in this release offer minimal added value, providing scant insights beyond what is already evident within the film itself.

In summation, despite its craftsmanship and competent performances, "Restless" might not resonate with all audiences due to its disjointed narrative and variable technical qualities. However, it succeeds as a meditation on life's beauty over its inevitable end, making it a worthwhile watch for those seeking heartfelt storytelling. Sony’s Blu-ray release provides an adequate presentation and a fair selection of extras. Recommended for those who appreciate solemn contemplation in cinema.

Restless is a strong film of understanding and acceptance. It's about love, a love of life, a love of time, a love of the good rather than embracing the bad. It’s subtle but very effective, exceptionally crafted, and very well-acted. It's unusual—perhaps not for all audiences. It's not a traditional tearjerker, in large part because it's so very effective in its message on celebrating life rather than mourning death. Sony's Blu-ray release of Restless features good technical presentations and a fair number of extras. Recommended.