Elles Blu-ray Review

"Elles" boasts a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode that impeccably captures the visual style conceived by cinematographer Michal Englert and director Małgorzata Szumowska. The transfer delivers a rich tapestry of colors; indoor scenes feature muted, neutral tones, while outdoor scenes are warmer and more vibrant. This creates a visually dynamic contrast that enhances the narrative's emotional landscape. Fine details such as skin textures and fabric patterns are rendered with remarkable clarity, though there's occasional softness in darker scenes. Notably, black levels are deep and plush, while highlights remain softened but consistent with clean whites, adding a significant sense of density and dimensionality to the image.

However, the presentation is not without its imperfections. Some darker scenes suffer from slight compression artifacts such as source noise and pixilation, with isolated instances of macroblocking—most notably in a scene featuring Juliette Binoche in the shower. These issues, while relatively minor and fleeting from a typical viewing distance, are worth noting for enthusiasts seeking a flawless visual experience. Despite these hiccups, "Elles" remains free from detrimental processing effects like DNR or edge enhancement. Ultimately, aside from these technical glitches, the Blu-ray edition of "Elles" delivers an evocative and visually sophisticated high-definition transfer that complements the film's atmospheric storytelling.

Elles on Blu Ray offers an exceptionally well-crafted auditory experience through its dual audio options: the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround mix and the uncompressed Linear PCM 2.0 track. While the PCM track is adequate, the real standout is the immersive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix, which intelligently utilizes all six speakers to create an authentic soundscape. The surround sound is unexpectedly engaging, given the film's genre, effectively placing the listener in various environments from the bustling streets of Paris to serene parks filled with birdsong and traffic noises. This dynamic range is supplemented by intentional sound elements like rain, wind, and the bustle within a student admissions center, enriching the viewing experience.

Furthermore, the film's soundtrack incorporates classical pieces from Vivaldi and Beethoven, as well as modern tracks like a sultry number from The Knife, all of which are delivered with crystal-clear clarity and seamlessly integrated into the overall sound design. The classical music notably enhances the soundstage, extending beautifully into the rear channels. The dialogue consistently cuts through the mix cleanly, ensuring clear and fluid interactions among characters. Additionally, the inclusion of a deep and hearty low bass adds a satisfying weight to the audio, contributing to a first-rate lossless mix that balances ambient sounds with dialogue for a coherent and immersive auditory experience.

The Extras section of the Blu-ray release of "Elles" presents a compact yet engaging assortment of additional content, contributing significantly to the overall viewing experience. The standout features include varied trailers—in both censored and uncensored formats—which provide insightful previews of the film’s delicate themes and tone. Additionally, the Still Gallery offers a deeper visual exploration into production and promotional aspects, enriching the viewer’s understanding of the film’s aesthetic and narrative intentions. The inclusion of trailers from other Kino Lorber titles like "The Fairy" and "Whores' Glory" serves as a curated glimpse into the studio's broader offerings. Each feature is presented in high definition, ensuring that the supplemental material is as meticulously rendered as the main feature.

Extras included in this disc:

• Theatrical Trailer: Censored preview of "Elles."
• Uncensored Theatrical Trailer: Uncensored preview of "Elles."
• Stills Gallery: Collection of production and promo photos.
• Also Available from Kino Lorber: Trailers for "The Fairy" and "Whores' Glory."

"Elles" is a film that intertwines themes of sex work, marriage, and female autonomy. Director Małgorzata Szumowska, drawing from her rich cinematic heritage, employs a blend of minimalist compositions and jarring cuts, enhanced by baroque classical music cues. While Szumowska doesn't quite reach the subtlety of Polish legends like Roman Polanski and Krzysztof Kieślowski, her style is engaging and lends an intoxicating mix of intelligence and uncomfortable eroticism to the familiar subject matter. The narrative oscillates between interview sequences with self-employed call girls, flashbacks of their encounters with clients, and protagonist Anne’s internal struggles and fantasies.

Juliette Binoche delivers an unflinching performance as Anne, a middle-aged journalist balancing a chaotic family life with her career. The movie navigates through her interactions with two Parisian college students who turn to prostitution to support themselves—Charlotte (Anaïs Demoustier) and Alicja (Joanna Kulig). These women's stories reveal a complex world where their clients are not just depraved men but often lonely, bored husbands. Szumowska tailors the narrative to Anne’s perspective, showing how the tales of these young women influence and arouse her as she navigates her own unsatisfying domestic existence.

The film’s structure is poetically fractured, merging different narrative threads to create a hypnotizing rhythm. Cinematographer Michal Englert skillfully contrasts the dreary interior of Anne’s home with the warm, empowering exterior world, adding layers of visual symbolism. Although the thematic content is dense and Szumowska’s symbolic approach sometimes feels shallow, "Elles" manages to deliver a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of sexuality, power dynamics, and personal fulfillment. The film is both provocative and contemplative, offering more than just another portrayal of sex work, while also highlighting Binoche's considerable acting prowess.

"Elles," despite limited critical acclaim during its U.S. theatrical release, stands out as a provocative exploration of adult sexuality and social class. Starring Juliette Binoche, who delivers an impressively nuanced performance as a middle-class journalist intrigued by the lives of the upwardly mobile prostitutes she interviews, the film delves into complex themes with maturity and depth. The narrative structure, composed of fractured memories and conversations, provides a fittingly uneasy yet sensual backdrop for this exploration.

The Blu-ray presentation by Kino Lorber is commendable, offering a strong but slightly imperfect picture quality and surprisingly immersive audio, which is particularly notable given the film’s dialogue-driven nature. The video fidelity captures the sophisticated visual symbolism well, though it may come across as overly ambitious to some viewers. Although the technical presentation is robust, the glaring absence of special features is a significant drawback, likely positioning this release more as a rental than a purchase for the general audience.

In conclusion, "Elles" is an unconventional and thought-provoking film that merits attention for its daring subject matter and Binoche’s stellar portrayal. However, the combined lack of supplemental materials in the Blu-ray package makes it less appealing for collection purposes, except for ardent fans of the lead actress. This Blu-ray is best appreciated as a rental, allowing viewers to experience a mature cinematic investigation into sexuality and societal dynamics without the commitment of a full purchase.