Joy House Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Joy House," presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, delivers a 1080p transfer courtesy of Kino Lorber. Unfortunately, despite the recent restoration efforts by the French studio Gaumont, the video presentation suffers due to incorrect film-to-video presets used during the mastering process. These errors lead to pervasive chroma noise across the film, significantly diminishing the clarity expected from a restoration of this caliber. Additionally, the improper encoding collapses the native dynamic range, causing parts of the film to appear as if they've undergone heavy filtering, impairing visual integrity.

Though these technical setbacks are regrettable, there are areas where the transfer does shine. The image stability throughout the film is commendably strong, and the overall cleanliness of the visuals is apparent, indicating a well-executed effort in those aspects of processing. It is worth noting that this particular issue isn't isolated to "Joy House," as previous Gaumont masters have shared similar flaws, such as the 2010 release of "A Man Escaped." However, it's unfortunate that such avoidable issues overshadow what could have been a distinguished presentation.

Lastly, collectors and viewers should be aware that this Blu-ray is a Region-A locked release. Therefore, access requires either a native Region-A or a Region-Free player. While the fundamental errors in mastering detract from what otherwise could be a superb home release, viewers with compatible equipment can still appreciate the stable and clean aspects of this flawed but visually engaging presentation.

The Blu-ray release of "Joy House" offers two standard audio tracks: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, ensuring a quality auditory experience regardless of the chosen language. The English subtitles for both tracks are clearly integrated within the image frame, enhancing accessibility for audiences. The original English audio is notably robust, delivering clear dynamic intensity that successfully captures the essence of the narrative and complements the visual restoration.

While viewers may encounter difficulty with Alain Delon's accent in some exchanges, this does not significantly detract from the overall quality of the sound. The film's score by Georges Auric is highlighted particularly well in several sequences, where it resonates with remarkable clarity and depth. This release effectively balances dialogue and scoring, ensuring a well-rounded presentation that maintains the film's emotional and atmospheric nuances.

In aligning the audio restoration with the film’s visual feel, Kino has expertly incorporated a 2K restoration conducted by France's Gaumont. This complements the DTS-HD Master Audio by preserving the authenticity of the period’s cinematic experience, subtly blending technology with nostalgia. The mono track, supported by high-quality English subtitles, emphasizes the film’s carefully crafted sound design, offering an immersive viewing experience without overshadowing the film’s vintage charm.

The Blu-ray extras for "Joy House" offer a well-rounded selection that enhances the viewing experience with insightful and historical context. The Trailer features a vintage presentation in French with English subtitles, capturing the film's original promotional style. The Commentary by critics Howard S. Berger and Nathaniel Thompson provides an informative and analytical dive into the film's themes and production nuances, showcasing their expertise. Lastly, the Cover boasts a reversible design adorned with vintage poster art, adding a collectible aesthetic appreciation for fans of retro cinema. These curated extras effectively augment the main feature, catering to both casual viewers and cinema enthusiasts alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: A vintage trailer for "Joy House," in French with English subtitles.
• Commentary: Exclusive new audio commentary by critics Howard S. Berger and Nathaniel Thompson.
• Cover: Reversible cover with vintage poster art for "Joy House."

Rene Clement's 1964 thriller, "Joy House," presented on Blu-ray by Kino Lorber, is an intriguing blend of French and English cinema featuring a compelling performance by Alain Delon. Adapted from Day Keene’s 1954 novel, the film takes creative liberties with the source material while retaining its core elements, primarily its noirish aesthetics and layered narrative. The plot unfolds with Marc (Delon), a fugitive on the run, finding refuge in a mission only to be ensnared in the affections of the wealthy widow Barbara (Lola Albright) and her maid Melinda (Jane Fonda). What begins as an escape quickly transforms into a complex psychological game as Marc navigates the tension between his past and newfound entanglements.

Despite the predominantly English-language dialogue, the film maintains a distinctive European cinematic essence, enriched by Henri Decae's cinematography, which gracefully supports and enhances the noir elements, though arguably does not reach the heights of his other works such as "Bob the Gambler" or "Purple Noon." Georges Auric complements with a suspenseful soundtrack, contributing to the film’s atmospheric tension alongside its free-floating erotic undertones. The viewing experience slightly varies in audio clarity with Delon's thick accent posing challenges, particularly during rapid exchanges in English. However, this does not detract from Clement’s successful preservation of the Hitchcockian suspense interwoven with European charm.

The production reflects an unusual Anglo-French collaboration, underlined by MGM’s financial backing and distribution rights arrangement. This setup led to the employment of predominantly native English-speaking actors, contributing to its unique bilingual format. While there are notable deviations from Keene's novel, the film’s distinct presentation of its thriller narrative achieves its own compelling identity, marking it as a noteworthy entry into Rene Clement’s oeuvre and mid-20th-century cinema.

The Blu-Ray release of "Joy House," a captivating noir thriller, sadly falls short in its visual presentation. Despite the recent restoration efforts by Gamount in France, the Blu-Ray supplied by Kino Lorber is marred by a faulty master, significantly detracting from the film's stylistic allure. The visual quality is compromised, which is disappointing for such a stylishly executed narrative, featuring striking performances from Alain Delon, Jane Fonda, and Lola Albright.

Notwithstanding the visual shortcomings, the audio options on this release offer some respite. The French-dubbed version includes Delon and Fonda lending their own voices, although synchronization issues are noticeable as lip movements don't match the dialogue. The French track does offer slightly improved audio quality, but for authenticity and coherence, first-time viewers are recommended to opt for the English-language version. This release also enriches the viewing experience with additional content such as a new audio commentary track by film historians Howard S. Berger and Nathaniel Thompson, who provide insightful perspectives into the film, along with a substantial French trailer that lasts over three minutes.

In conclusion, while "Joy House" on Blu-Ray does bring forth an enticing thriller encapsulated with noirish charm, it is somewhat undermined by its underwhelming visual presentation due to the defective master supplied for its release. Despite this setback, the supplemental features slightly redeem the package, offering patrons educational content that enhances appreciation of the film’s artistic value. For enthusiasts of classic cinema, particularly those with an interest in meticulously crafted thrillers, this flawed but still engaging release may be worth consideration.