Jack & Diane Blu-ray Review

"Jack & Diane" Blu-ray maintains a traditional aesthetic captured on 35mm film, which significantly adds to the movie's authenticity and charm. Presented in a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer, the image generally retains the natural film grain, showcasing a genuine cinematic texture without the pitfalls of digital noise reduction or edge enhancement. The transfer avoids major compression issues, delivering a predominantly clear picture with good high-definition clarity evident in detailed textures, particularly in close-ups of characters and their clothing. Color grading leans towards a realistic palette with balanced saturation and contrast; skin tones appear consistent and black levels are well-managed, ensuring shadow details remain intact.

Despite its merits, the Blu-ray release isn't without minor flaws. The stop-motion animation sequences display slight horizontal line strobing, possibly linked to the techniques used by the Brothers Quay. Though not overly distracting, these brief imperfections are confined to the animation and do not affect the live-action shots. The film grain is subtle, seldom noticeable unless scrutinized closely, supporting a clear image free from common artifacts such as mosquito noise or banding. This transfer impresses with its lifelike color reproduction, especially in warmer tones evident in Diane's outfits which convey rich hues without bleeding. The contrast is also proficiently managed, enabling stark comparisons between light and dark scenes without compromising image integrity. Overall, this Blu-ray edition is a robust representation of "Jack & Diane," with its strengths slightly marred only by the transient animation-related issues.

The Blu-ray release of "Jack & Diane" features a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track that competently handles the film's nuanced audio requirements. Catering to a predominantly dialogue-driven narrative, the track ensures clear and well-balanced speech, although the use of lavaliere mics introduces a somewhat artificial quality in a few scenes. The restrained use of surround channels contributes low-level ambient effects—such as New York street noise, nightclub chatter, and thunder—whenever necessary, offering a subtle enhancement to the overall audio experience.

However, the mix tends towards front-heavy, with rear channels operating at such low levels that their presence often goes unnoticed. Scenes in bustling public settings, like busy streets or lively nightclubs, can feel surprisingly lifeless due to this subdued surround usage. Despite this, one standout element is the film's musical score by the Icelandic band múm. Their unique blend of "twinkly electronics-augmented bedtime music" is impressively spread across all 5.1 channels, adding a rich sonic texture that highlights the atmospheric capabilities of the mix.

The disc also provides optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles, ensuring accessibility for a broader audience. While the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track does an admirable job with its limited demands, it may leave enthusiasts desiring a more dynamic and immersive soundstage for the more atmospheric scenes. Nonetheless, it sufficiently supports the film’s quiet, introspective tone and ensures that the essential elements shine through effectively.

The Blu Ray extras for "Jack & Diane" provide insightful behind-the-scenes content, although some elements feel somewhat promotional and less substantive. "Creating a Monster: Behind the Special Effects" offers a detailed look into the monster effects with insightful commentary from the director and creature designer, albeit conducted via phone, which slightly diminishes the engagement. The "AXS TV: A Look at 'Jack and Diane'" segment functions primarily as a promotional piece with numerous film clips. The inclusion of the theatrical trailer and additional trailers from Magnolia Home Entertainment adds to the commercial feel of the extras but offers little new information for viewers already familiar with the initial trailers they skipped at the disc's start.

Extras included in this disc:

• Creating a Monster: Behind the Special Effects: Insight into the monster effects process.
• AXS TV: A Look at Jack & Diane: Promo featuring film clips and brief interviews.
• Theatrical Trailer: Promising preview of the film.
• Also from Magnolia Home Entertainment: Additional content trailers.

Bradley Rust Gray's "Jack & Diane" attempts to meld a teenage romance with a horror twist, but the execution leaves much to be desired. The plot centers around Diane (Juno Temple), a dreamy Brit about to move to Paris, who falls for Jack (Riley Keough), a tough skateboarder. Their whirlwind romance is plagued by extreme metaphoric representations of burgeoning emotions, depicted through Diane's monstrous transformations. While the concept aims to externalize young love's tumultuous nature, the symbolic werewolf lacks substance and becomes a distraction rather than an enhancement. The animation by the Quay Brothers and other practical effects fail to impress, feeling underutilized and arbitrary in the story.

The screenplay suffers from stilted interactions and meandering dialogue, rendering the central love affair unconvincing and dull. Both leads, Temple and Keough, possess the potential for powerful performances but are bogged down by a script that spends more time on moody atmospherics and mumblecore clichés than character development. Lesser-known actors like Cara Seymour as Diane’s aunt Linda, and cameo appearances by actors such as Kylie Minogue contribute minimally, leaving their talents wasted. Gray employs talented actors like Dane DeHaan without utilizing them effectively, further illustrating the film's inability to capitalize on its star power.

Ultimately, "Jack & Diane" fails to deliver on its intriguing premise. Its attempt at blending genres results in a disjointed film that lacks resonance. Key narrative elements like the werewolf metaphor feel forced and poorly integrated, diminishing the overall impact of the film. Despite its emotional intent, the story’s inconsistent execution leaves it unable to justify its runtime, leading viewers to anticipate the sequences involving the grotesque lust monster simply for a change of pace. There is an evident struggle to balance the nuanced depiction of adolescent love with supernatural horror, and this unbalanced blend prevents "Jack & Diane" from leaving a lasting impression.

"Jack & Diane" presents an intriguing premise with a first crush horror theme, complemented by creepy stop-motion animation from the Quay Brothers and a captivating soundtrack from múm. Unfortunately, the execution by writer/director Bradley Rust Gray falls short of expectations. The film's hybrid genre approach—merging Cronenbergian body horror with elements more suited to a gay film festival—results in a disjointed narrative that fails to leverage its promising components. The potential of the creature design is ultimately squashed by its poor utilization within the story.

The performances by the lead actors are mixed; Riley Keough delivers a strong portrayal, while Juno Temple seemingly lacks the enthusiasm to elevate her character. The much-anticipated Quay Brothers' animation is minimal and unremarkable, lacking the distinctive flair that fans might expect. Technically, the Blu-ray release offers respectable, though not outstanding, video quality and an underwhelming audio experience. Moreover, the disc comes with an array of extra features that feel more like filler than substantial content.

In conclusion, "Jack & Diane" is a movie with significant wasted potential. Despite sporadic moments of brilliance and a few strong performances, it ultimately suffers from a muddled execution and underdelivered promises. The Blu-ray release does little to elevate the experience, making it difficult to justify a purchase. Viewing the film on streaming platforms might be a preferable alternative for those still intrigued by its premise.