Love at Large Blu-ray Review

Kino Video’s Blu-ray release of Alan Rudolph's "Love at Large" is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and features a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC transfer. Sourced from an older master likely created for the preceding DVD edition, the video quality offers a mixed bag of visual attributes. Well-lit scenes present decent detail retention, rendering close-ups particularly well. However, the limitations of the aged master become apparent during indoor and nighttime sequences where shadow definition fluctuates and depth is notably reduced. Additionally, the grain structure appears unevenly distributed, resulting in a somewhat flat and noisy image in various scenes.

The color reproduction shows room for improvement, with some tonal imbalances and lackluster saturation. Primaries fail to pop, making overall color depth appear shallow. Image stability remains commendable as no significant debris, cuts, or damage marks are observed. Unfortunately, occasional signs of old smoothing processes introduce a certain softness that hints at minor artificial enhancements rather than a purely natural film-like texture. While the results are watchable, they don’t capture the potential vibrancy and clarity a fresh master could deliver.

Overall, despite clean image stability and minimal damage artifacts, this Blu-ray transfer fails to elevate "Love at Large" to its visual peak. It serves as an adequate but not exceptional presentation rooted in dated mastering technology, reflecting the need for a more modern and meticulous restoration for future releases.

The Blu-ray release of "Love at Large" offers an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, a well-preserved version that, while not remastered, delivers a clean and clear audio experience. The attractive jazzy score by Mark Isham permeates the film with surprisingly well-balanced sax solos, free from unintended dynamic fluctuations. Dialogue clarity is exceptionally well-maintained, with no dropouts, pops, or digital distortions detected.

Despite being a 2.0 stereo track, the audio provides a robust sense of atmosphere and presence. The sound design effectively captures the film's lively and dynamic nature, with commendable imaging and just the right amount of channel activity to maintain engagement. However, some adjustments in volume might be necessary during phone conversations to ensure balanced levels between adjoining scenes. Nevertheless, the overall audio presentation excels, making for an immersive listening experience that supports both dialogue and score seamlessly.

The Blu-ray extras for "Love at Large" are well-curated and offer a comprehensive array of supplementary material that enriches the viewing experience. The inclusion of archival materials such as the original theatrical trailer, along with promotional trailers for other Kino Lorber releases, ensures a nostalgic touch for fans and film historians. These extras not only provide context for the film but also highlight the distribution studio's broader catalog. The quality of these features is commendable, matching the high-definition standard expected from modern Blu-ray releases. Overall, this collection of extras significantly enhances the value of the disc, making it a must-have for collectors.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional material in high definition.
• Welcome to L.A. Trailer: Promotional material for another Kino Lorber release.
• Shattered Trailer: Promotional material for another Kino Lorber release.

Alan Rudolph's "Love at Large" presents a fascinating but perplexing cinematic experience, leaving viewers uncertain about its intended genre. The script seemingly oscillates among a gritty noir detective thriller, a bumbling comedy, a romantic drama, and a romantic comedy, failing to effectively commit to any. The film follows Harry Dobbs, played by Tom Berenger, a jaded detective whose unconvincing one-liners and dull comedic timing detract significantly from the film’s cohesiveness. Assigning him oddball behaviors such as incessantly donning a deconstructed jacket or croaking out lines only adds to the character’s—and thus the film's—inconsistencies.

The plot further complicates itself, featuring Ann Archer’s Miss Dolan who hires Harry to follow her boyfriend, played by Ted Levine. Their mismatched pairing lacks believability, echoing an overall theme of disjointed character relationships. Elizabeth Perkins’ Stella Wynkowski injecting some semblance of competence into the narrative provides temporary relief but ultimately succumbs to the chaotic script. Attempts to blend humor with noir elements are undermined by a poor execution that renders the film’s shift in tone awkward and jarring.

Despite these issues, "Love at Large" is not entirely devoid of merit. The supporting cast, notably Perkins and Levine, infuse some depth into their roles amidst the film’s tumultuous narrative. Additionally, Mark Isham’s lush jazzy score and Leonard Cohen's "Ain't No Cure For Love" offer brief moments of auditory delight. While some may find charm in its quirky moments, the erratic tone and clichéd plot twists suggest that only audiences seeking an eccentric cinematic divergence might enjoy this film. For those desiring a more coherent and fulfilling experience, alternative selections would be advisable.

'Love at Large,' directed by Alan Rudolph, can be described as an unconventional film that straddles the line between comedy and detective thriller. Despite its ambition to be both smart and original, the film often falls short in execution. While bursts of Rudolph's unique vision are evident, they are overshadowed by a script that struggles to fully deliver on its intriguing premise.

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of 'Love at Large' offers a respectable audio-visual presentation, doing justice to the film's atmospheric visuals and quirky aesthetic. However, this release is rather sparse in terms of supplemental content, with the inclusion of only a few trailers. Given the mixed nature of the film itself and the limited extras, this package leaves much to be desired for dedicated collectors or serious fans of the director's work.

Ultimately, 'Love at Large' serves as an interesting yet flawed cinematic experience that may appeal more to genre enthusiasts and fans of Alan Rudolph's distinct style. However, for the general audience, this Blu-ray edition is more suitable as a rental. It provides a decent way to experience the film but falls short of offering substantial additional value.

This film tries so hard to be smart and original that after a while it literally becomes unwatchable. There are tiny bits of Alan Rudolph's brilliance in it, but the script simply isn't good enough. Kino's technical presentation of the film is decent, but the only bonus features on the Blu-ray are a few trailers. RENT IT.