Frivolous Lola 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Frivolous Lola" offers an intriguing mix of technical mastery and some notable shortcomings. The disc introduces an exclusive 4K restoration, natively available in 4K with HDR10, but lacking Dolby Vision. Clarity and image stability are top-notch, providing a highly attractive visual experience. However, the color grading is somewhat frustrating, effectively transforming primary blues and their nuances into variations of turquoise. This change introduces noticeable fluctuations in gamma levels, causing inconsistencies in clarity and depth. Despite these issues, the medium-refined grain remains intact, and there are no traces of problematic degraining corrections.

Shot on 35mm film and presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, "Frivolous Lola" benefits from a high bitrate that typically hovers between 80 to 100 Mbps. The HDR grade enriches colors remarkably well, with excellent contrast and deep blacks. There is minimal damage visible, with only a minor flaw in an early scene that lasts no more than a frame, easy to overlook. Despite the color temperature issues that notably affect scenes requiring prominent blue hues, the restoration work results in an overall beautiful and mostly organic presentation. While the difference between the native 4K and 1080p presentations is minimal, several darker sequences appear more favorable in native 4K.

In sum, while the HDR grade is gentle and offers a commendable dynamic range, the color grading inconsistencies can detract from the viewing experience. Nevertheless, this 4K UHD release represents the healthiest and most attractive version of "Frivolous Lola" to date, albeit with some areas that could have benefitted from more meticulous attention to detail.

The 4K UHD Blu Ray audio presentation of "Frivolous Lola" includes four standard audio tracks: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, and Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, with optional English subtitles. These tracks are particularly noteworthy for their utilization of the original Dolby SR release format. The English track has historically been considered the original outside of Italy and offers a robust, stable listening experience with a commendable dynamic range, despite some inherent unevenness. Encoding anomalies were not observed, indicating a high-quality transfer.

While the English tracks maintain a solid quality, they do suffer from less compelling performances compared to the Italian options. The Italian tracks provide a wider mix, enhancing the surround sound experience, particularly showcasing Pino Donaggio’s evocative score. Both languages offer strong surround support for the soundtrack, which features an eclectic mix of music, including pieces by Glenn Miller, Gene Vincent, and the memorable opening and closing song "Mona Monella," performed by Anna Ammirati. This comprehensive audio selection significantly enriches the viewing experience of "Frivolous Lola."

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray of "Frivolous Lola" offers a captivating selection of extras for fans and cinephiles. This release features an insightful audio commentary by critics Eugenio Ercolani and Nathaniel Thompson, who provide in-depth discussions on Tinto Brass' career, the visual and thematic elements of the film, and its place within erotic cinema. Additionally, an archival interview with Tinto Brass from 2004 delves into the film's production, distribution challenges, and Brass’ creative influences, including his collaboration with writer Barbara Alberti and his personal connection to the character Lola. Complementing these features are a photo gallery that highlights original stills and the film's authentic color palette, trailers for related films, collectible cards, a booklet with liner notes by Eugenio Ercolani and Domenico Monetti, and a reversible cover featuring the original Italian poster art. These elements collectively enhance the appreciation of Tinto Brass' work and the film's historical context.

Extras included in this disc:

Commentary: Critic discussions on production, tone, and visual style.

Trailers: Previews for "Frivolous Lola" and "All Ladies Do It".

Interview with Tinto Brass (2004): Insight into production details and personal reflections.

Photo Gallery: Collection of original stills revealing the film’s proper color palette.

Cover: Reversible cover with original Italian poster art.

Cards: Four collectible cards for "Frivolous Lola".

Booklet: 20-page illustrated booklet with liner notes.

Tinto Brass' 1998 film "Frivolous Lola" represents a quintessential example of Italian erotic comedies, structured with a blend of humor and erotic undertones reminiscent of classic commedia all'italiana. This 4K UHD Blu-ray release by Cult Epics includes features such as exclusive new audio commentary by critics Eugenio Ercolani and Nathaniel Thompson, an archival program with Tinto Brass, and a collection of original stills and trailers. The film can be viewed in both English and Italian with optional English subtitles for the main feature, available in a region-free format.

"Frivolous Lola" unfolds through a series of episodic narrative segments, each depicting an erotic adventure centered on the young Lola (Anna Ammirati) who is navigating her impending marriage. The film captures the essence of a provincial Italian town where secrets are hard to keep, leading to comical and awkward situations. Aided by the participation of talents who have worked with renowned directors like Fellini and Visconti, the film's intentions shine brightly, even if its execution does not entirely hit the mark. The erotic content at times appears repetitive and slightly out of sync with the comedic elements, which is a noticeable drawback. Moreover, Ammirati's performance, though visually appealing, lacks the magnetic on-screen presence typical of Brass' leading ladies, resulting in some scenes feeling somewhat contrived.

Serena Grandi’s involvement provides a significant strength to the film, delivering a nuanced performance that intertwines comedy, drama, and erotica effectively. The soundtrack, crafted to evoke the atmosphere of classic Italian cinema, features standout tracks from artists like Carla Boni and Mina, adding an enriching auditory layer to Brass’ stylistic film. This new release also includes rare footage previously unseen in English-language presentations, offering an enhanced viewing experience for aficionados of Tinto Brass’ oeuvre.

Frivolous Lola's 4K UHD Blu-ray release offers a richly rewarding viewing experience, underscored by noticeable advancements in visual fidelity. The restoration process amplifies the film’s vibrant color palette and bolsters its intricate detailing, although it may fall short of delivering an utterly flawless transformation. The 4K transfer highlights Tinto Brass' idiosyncratic visual style and incorporates a fine grain structure, providing an enhanced cinematic authenticity. However, some inconsistencies in the clarity and occasional soft patches indicate room for technical improvement.

The presentation’s stellar audio quality complements its visual upgrade. The DTS-HD MA 2.0 audio track delivers clear dialogue and nuanced sound effects that contribute to an immersive viewing experience. Additionally, the release includes a wealth of informative bonus materials. The supplemental features provide insights into Brass' creative process and the film’s cultural context, which can be particularly enlightening for both new viewers and long-time enthusiasts of the director's work.

Cult Epics has promoted Tinto Brass' films with genuine passion for years. Frankly, without its efforts, many of them would not have been available to see in North America. Now, the label is trying hard to give some of these films the best possible presentation on 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray. Frivolous Lola, one of Brass' smaller films, has been fully restored in 4K, but I do not think that the makeover is as convincing as it could have been. I suspect that the combo pack we have reviewed will remain the final release of Frivolous Lola on the home video market, so if you want the film in your collection, you should probably plan to pick it up.