My Life as a Dog Blu-ray Review

Criterion’s Blu-ray presentation of Lasse Hallström's "My Life as a Dog" arrives with a 1080p transfer encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and an aspect ratio of 1.67:1. This transition from Criterion’s SDVD to Blu-ray is largely successful, bringing significant enhancements in image depth and texture. Close-ups vividly reveal intricate details and textures previously unseen, enriching the visual experience. The film's grain is preserved, though sporadically interspersed with light noise, maintaining a natural look. The contrast during memory flashbacks is delicately handled and color reproduction offers stability and vibrancy missing in the SDVD edition. While some minor color pulsations are present, particularly around the edges during the prologue, there are no signs of heavy digital sharpening or significant damage such as cuts or warps.

However, it's essential to note some challenges within the transfer. The built-in diffuse filter lends a gauzy, dreamlike appearance to the film, which softens some details expected from high-definition content. While daytime scenes are filled with vivid color, precise edges, and impressive clarity— especially notable in sequences like Ingemar lying under railroad tracks or running through a junkyard— the nighttime scenes falter. Blacks appear flat, crushing potential details and obscuring faces and objects in the darkness. Additionally, near the film's conclusion, a faint blue stripe appears on the left side of the screen, resembling an artifact from aged video media like VHS. The scene around the 58-minute mark is particularly noisy with digital interference that distracts from the overall presentation. This combination of strengths and weaknesses makes this Blu-ray transfer a mixed bag, but it should still be appreciated by dedicated fans for its notable improvements and maintained authenticity.

The audio presentation on the Blu-ray of "My Life as a Dog" features a singular Swedish LPCM 1.0 track, accompanied by optional English subtitles from Criterion. Despite its mono format, the track excels in clarity and fidelity. Dialog delivery is consistently crisp, clean, and stable, with an excellent English translation available. Björn Isfält's music score is finely balanced, devoid of hiss, cracks, or pops, offering a pleasant auditory experience. The sound design is notably free of distortions, maintaining a well-rounded and thick profile throughout.

Sound effects and ambient noises are impressively captured and represented. Detailed effects such as the billowing fires of the glassworks factory, the creaky pulley system of the spaceship, and the tapping of Fransson's hammer are rendered with clarity. Additionally, the lower frequencies are well-handled, adding depth to effects like the rushing boom of the passing train. This level of detail and absence of common audio issues elevate the mono track beyond its inherent limitations. Despite its single-channel nature, the audio track delivers a rich and immersive listening experience that does justice to the film's intricate soundscape.

The Blu-ray for "My Life as a Dog" offers a rich array of supplementary content, providing profound insights and historical context for both film aficionados and casual viewers. The extras include an engaging 2002 interview with director Lasse Hallström, who discusses his cinematic passions and the film's creation in both English and Swedish. There's also a rare early feature by Hallström, "Shall We Go To My or Your Place or Each Go Home Alone?", showcasing his influences from Milos Forman and John Cassavetes, complete with optional English subtitles. Another highlight is an illustrated booklet featuring essays by Michael Atkinson and Kurt Vonnegut, adding critical depth to the viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: The original theatrical trailer for "My Life as a Dog," in Swedish with imposed English subtitles.
• Lasse Hallström: A substantial 19-minute interview with the director, offering valuable insights into the film's development.
• Shall We Go To My or Your Place or Each Go Home Alone? (1973): A 53-minute early film by Hallström with optional English subtitles.
• Introduction to the Film by Director Lasse Hallström: A concise 2-minute introduction in English.
• Booklet: An illustrated booklet featuring essays by critic Michael Atkinson and Kurt Vonnegut.

Lasse Hallström's "My Life as a Dog" (1985) stands as a poignant exploration of childhood resilience and curiosity amid the hardships of life. The film, which received two Oscar nominations and won a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, follows 12-year-old Ingemar (Anton Glanzelius), a boy whose life is marked by his mother's deteriorating health and his subsequent relocation to his uncle’s countryside home. Hallström deftly balances Ingemar's internal struggles with moments of whimsical innocence, capturing the multitude of emotions arising from his encounters with quirky yet endearing characters like tomboy Saga (Melinda Kinnaman) and the mischievously alluring Berit (Ing-mari Carlsson).

The narrative benefits enormously from the understated yet powerful performances, especially from Glanzelius who delivers an incredibly mature portrayal. His interactions with supporting characters are imbued with authenticity, making his emotional journey deeply relatable. Cinematographer Jörgen Persson opts for simple but elegant visuals filled with earthly tones, enhancing the film’s nostalgic and pastoral feel. Björn Isfält’s soundtrack complements this ambiance, underscoring the film's tender and contemplative moments without overwhelming them.

What sets "My Life as a Dog" apart is its refusal to romanticize or overdramatize Ingemar's struggles. This is not a tale of grand epiphanies or overblown sentimental catharsis; instead, it offers a nuanced depiction of a child's attempt to navigate through life's perplexities. Hallström's direction refrains from exploiting Ingemar's weaknesses, presenting his ordeal with a gentle, sometimes humorous touch that underscores the film’s thematic layers. This Criterion edition enhances the viewing experience further with insightful supplementary features, including an essay by Kurt Vonnegut, which encapsulates the film’s essence— a celebration of human resilience and the subtle beauty of life’s hard-won lessons.

"My Life as a Dog" (Mitt liv som hund), directed by Lasse Hallström, is a heartfelt exploration of childhood that resonates with both emotional depth and sincere humor. Anchored by an exceptional performance from young Anton Glanzelius, the film's protagonist, Ingemar, embodies the innocent curiosity and resilient spirit of youth. Glanzelius' performance stands out as one of the finest by a child actor, evoking comparisons to Peter Billingsley's iconic role in 'A Christmas Story.' His nuanced expressions and subtle antics powerfully capture the essence of a young boy navigating difficult circumstances with an endearing resilience.

However, while the film’s intrinsic quality is undeniable, this Blu-ray edition does have its shortcomings. The video presentation quality has drawn some criticism, as it does not fully do justice to Hallström's original vision. Nonetheless, Criterion's high-definition digital transfer approved by Hallström himself ensures that the film still surpasses previous versions in terms of clarity and fidelity. The viewing experience, although slightly undercut by technical flaws, remains compelling and true to the director's artistic intent.

In conclusion, though Hallström's later works in Hollywood have been well received, they do not quite reach the poignant heights of "My Life as a Dog." Criterion’s decision to present this beautiful and moving film in Blu-ray format highlights its timeless charm and emotional depth. Given the strength of the film itself and the credible effort put into this release, "My Life as a Dog" on Blu-ray comes highly recommended.