Life Is Sweet Blu-ray Review

The Criterion release of Mike Leigh's "Life Is Sweet" presents an exemplary 1080p HD transfer, maintaining the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Supervised by director of photography Dick Pope, the transfer was meticulously crafted from the original camera negative in 2K resolution using an ARRISCAN film scanner. The restoration process, involving comprehensive manual removal of imperfections through MTI's DRS and Pixel Farm's PFClean, and further refined using Image Systems' Phoenix for small dirt, grain, noise reduction, and flicker, results in a visually pristine masterpiece.

This presentation boasts exceptional image clarity and detail throughout, with no signs of post-production sharpening or degraining corrections. Close-ups reveal sharp, vibrant details such as wrinkles and individual hair follicles with remarkable fidelity. Colors are warm yet natural, maintaining an organic feel true to the original material. Black levels are deep and inky, enhancing the overall depth and dimensionality of the visuals. Importantly, the transfer is free from any compression artifacts, dirt, banding, or aliasing issues, ensuring an uninterrupted viewing experience.

Fans of "Life Is Sweet" and admirers of Mike Leigh's work will undoubtedly be impressed by the film's transition to Blu-ray. The diligent efforts in restoration have produced a visually stunning presentation that captures the essence of the original film, delivering a stable and immersive viewing experience. Note that this is a Region-A locked Blu-ray, requiring a Region-A or Region-Free player for access.

The "Life Is Sweet" Blu-ray's audio presentation features an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, meticulously preserving the original sound design. The dialog is commendably clear, crisp, and stable, free from any hissing, pops, cracks, or audio dropouts, ensuring an undisturbed listening experience. The score and music blend perfectly into the narrative, adding a valuable emotional depth to the film without overwhelming the dialog. However, it's worth noting that the audio's dynamics are inherently limited due to the film's original sound design, which some might find less immersive compared to modern 5.1 mixes.

While the DTS-HD 2.0 mix excels in clarity and fidelity, providing a highly satisfying experience, it lacks the surround sound depth that a 5.1 mix could offer. The ambient noises and sound effects predominantly emanate from the front channels, which means there's minimal directionality or immersive spatial presence. Nonetheless, the integrity of the original sound design is maintained, and the mix performs exceptionally well within those parameters. Criterion's inclusion of optional English SDH subtitles also makes the film accessible to a wider audience, complementing an already admirable audio presentation.

The Blu-ray extras for "Life Is Sweet" are an extensive and engaging collection that provides deep insights into Mike Leigh's filmmaking process. The Five-Minute Films showcase five early short films by Leigh, originally created for BBC in 1975, accompanied by his insightful introduction. Each film offers a unique glimpse into his formative years and reflects his evolving style. The Mike Leigh at the National Film Theatre audio Q&A from 1991 offers an introspective discussion about the film's genesis, characters, and thematic structure, although it's audio-only. The new Audio Commentary by Leigh, recorded in 2013, is particularly noteworthy for its unusual and captivating introduction, providing detailed accounts of the production and Leigh's relationships with his team. Finally, the included Criterion Booklet, featuring David Sterritt's essay, delivers additional valuable context and scholarly perspective.

Extras included in this disc:

• Introduction by Mike Leigh: Introductory remarks by Mike Leigh.
• Five-Minute Films: Collection of five short films by Mike Leigh.
• Mike Leigh at the National Film Theatre: 1991 Q&A session with Mike Leigh.
• Commentary: Unique and informative 2013 audio commentary by Mike Leigh.
• Booklet: Illustrated booklet with essay by David Sterritt.

Mike Leigh's "Life Is Sweet" offers an engrossing exploration of the quotidian challenges faced by a working-class family in suburban North London. Starring Jim Broadbent as Andy and Alison Steadman as Wendy, the film effectively balances comedy with somber tones, painting a vivid picture of life’s unfiltered moments. The raw and unvarnished cinematography, courtesy of Leigh's longtime collaborator Dick Pope, lends the film an almost documentary-like authenticity that deeply resonates with viewers. The film eschews high-concept storytelling for a more grounded narrative, capturing the idiosyncrasies and struggles of relatable characters like the disenchanted twins, Natalie (Claire Skinner) and Nicola (Jane Horrocks), and the ambitious but naive family friend, Aubrey (Timothy Spall).

A significant strength of "Life Is Sweet" lies in its brilliant character interactions and dialogue that feel both fresh and real. Leigh’s direction allows the actors' nuanced performances to flourish, giving audiences a sense of eavesdropping on genuine conversations rather than staged scenes. The improvised sequences amplify the raw emotional landscape but occasionally veer into overly melodramatic territory, particularly with Spall’s character. Nevertheless, the film’s charm prevails through its naturalistic approach, further elevated by Rachel Portman's lovely soundtrack which complements the movie's whimsical yet poignant atmosphere.

Overall, "Life Is Sweet" is an evocative slice-of-life film that subtlely blends humor with underlying sadness. The film candidly portrays familial tensions and individual aspirations without resorting to cliches or simplistic resolutions. This Criterion Blu-ray release not only provides superb audiovisual fidelity but also includes enriching supplemental features such as an insightful audio commentary by Mike Leigh and a comprehensive essay by David Sterritt. By addressing both mundane and profound aspects of everyday life, "Life Is Sweet" offers an unvarnished yet affectionate portrait of a family's journey through life's inevitable ups and downs.

"Life Is Sweet," directed by Mike Leigh, represents an optimistic phase in his filmography, combining humor and dramatic elements in a compelling portrayal of a family's life. While some viewers may favor the darker, more intense characters in Leigh's subsequent works, this film stands out for its raw, heartfelt depiction of everyday situations. If you enjoy narratives centered on true-to-life characters, "Life Is Sweet" will resonate deeply.

Criterion's Blu-ray release of "Life Is Sweet" is extraordinary. The film has undergone a brand new transfer, showcasing the best visual presentation it has ever received. The image quality is truly remarkable, capturing every nuance and detail with pristine clarity. Although purists might wish for a 5.1 audio option, the audio provided is still high-quality, enhancing the viewing experience. Criterion also includes a variety of extras that enrich the film's context and background, further adding value to this release.

In conclusion, "Life Is Sweet" is a standout family comedy-drama by Mike Leigh that strikes a delicate balance between humor and heartfelt moments. With its engaging characters and top-notch treatment by Criterion, this Blu-ray release is highly recommended for both long-time fans of Leigh's work and newcomers alike. Criterion’s presentation ensures that "Life Is Sweet" will look and sound exceptional, making this release a gem that shouldn't be missed.