She-Devil Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "She-Devil" by Olive Films features an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.84:1 aspect ratio. The quality of the elements utilized is commendably preserved, with only minor speckling appearing sporadically throughout the film. The transfer showcases vibrant and lush colors, particularly the pastel pinks, lavenders, and bolder primary colors that characterize Mary Fisher's opulent and fairy-tale-like life. Similarly, the sickly green-yellow shade of Ruth's noticeable lip mole is rendered convincingly. The image maintains strong contrast and depth, further enhanced by a faint yet natural grain structure that adds texture without overwhelming the visual experience.

Close-ups boast substantial detail and clarity, enriching the viewing experience by highlighting intimate facial features and intricate costume fabrics. The black levels are consistently deep, while whites remain crisp without any blooming issues. Natural flesh tones are stable, contributing to the authenticity and continuity of the actors' appearances. Fine shadow delineation prevents any loss of detail in darker scenes, ensuring background elements remain discernible. While a few artifacts and occasional instances of heavy grain do appear, there are no significant issues with image instability, banding, or noise.

Overall, for a B-grade catalogue title, "She-Devil" stands out with its excellent video quality, surpassing expectations and offering an engaging visual presentation. Olive Films has succeeded in delivering a transfer that will delight fans of the movie, maintaining a classic aesthetic while enhancing detail and color vibrancy in high definition.

The audio presentation of "She-Devil" on Blu-ray features a proficient lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, adeptly sustaining the film's dialogue and the whimsically manic score by Howard Shore. With impressive fidelity and a dynamic range broader than typically anticipated for a comedy, the track ensures clarity and depth without any discernible issues. The sound mix remains impeccable, free from age-related imperfections such as hiss, pops, and crackles.

While the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track isn't overly dynamic, it maintains clear, well-modulated sound throughout. Subtle atmospheric elements are captured with precision, and sonic accents are delivered with adequate impact. Dialogue is consistently easy to comprehend, ensuring an immersive viewing experience. Additionally, Howard Shore's spirited score fills the room effectively, adding energy to the comedic narrative. This straightforward audio track fulfills its role competently, without unnecessary complexity or fuss.

The Blu-ray release of "She-Devil" regrettably lacks supplemental features, which considerably diminishes its overall value for collector and enthusiast markets. Given the film's cult status and the star power of its lead actors, the absence of any extras such as commentary tracks, behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, or even a trailer is a significant missed opportunity. This deficiency is especially glaring when contrasted with other Blu-ray releases of similar stature, which often include extensive bonus materials that enrich the viewing experience and provide deeper insights into the film's production and legacy.

Extras included in this disc:

None

This Blu-ray release does not offer any supplementary materials.

Susan Seidelman’s 1989 film, "She-Devil," pairs Meryl Streep—a revered dramatic actress already decorated with two Oscars—and the then-rising television star Roseanne Barr in a comedy that strives to balance hyperbole with a surprisingly soft undercurrent of emotion. Barr plays Ruth Patchett, a frumpy and complacent housewife who undergoes a profound transformation upon discovering her husband Bob's (Ed Begley Jr.) affair with the glamorous romance novelist Mary Fisher (Streep). While Barr's quirky, comedic style brings an offbeat charm to her role, her transition to film reveals mild discomfort in occupying such an expansive stage. Streep embraces her outlandish character of Mary Fisher with fervor, though her natural gravity occasionally clashes with the film’s lightweight tone, missing the spontaneity needed for seamless comedic timing.

The narrative propels forward as Ruth meticulously enacts her revenge on Bob and Mary, leading to a series of hyperbolic yet entertaining events reminiscent of a one-sided "War of the Roses." Despite the film's relentless silliness, it struggles to maintain a steady balance between its satirical arch and its unexpected sweet demeanor. This dichotomy might have been better served by more innovative direction from Seidelman, who previously demonstrated significant freshness and spirit in "Desperately Seeking Susan."

"She-Devil" thus oscillates between amusing and uneven, providing a diverting but uneven slice of 1980s female empowerment. Despite Streep’s dedicated performance trying to lift the film above a pedestrian script, and Barr’s lackluster but earnest effort to parlay her small-screen success onto the big screen, "She-Devil" remains a subpar comic vehicle with occasional bright moments. As the film navigates Ruth's journey from doormat to vengeful mastermind, it still offers enough to be entertaining but doesn't quite cement itself as a noteworthy entry in either Streep’s or Barr’s careers.

The Blu-ray release of "She-Devil" captures the zany essence of Susan Seidelman's adaptation of Fay Weldon's bestseller, driven largely by strong performances from Meryl Streep and Roseanne Barr. Streep shines as a pampered diva, showcasing her versatile talent and elevating the overall narrative, while Barr adds a uniquely comedic edge. Despite some tonal missteps and moments that verge on excessive meanness, the film manages to deliver a lighthearted, albeit somewhat bland, revenge comedy. The film's unapologetically cartoonish style keeps it engaging for those who appreciate the idiosyncrasies of '80s comedies, bolstered by notable supporting roles from Linda Hunt and Sylvia Miles.

From a technical perspective, Olive's Blu-ray release offers commendable video and audio quality, ensuring an enjoyable viewing experience. While the transfer is sharp and faithful to the original cinematography, it would have benefited from additional supplementary materials to provide more context to the film's creation and legacy. The remastering preserves the vibrant aesthetic and distinctive soundtrack, aligning with the breezy tone of the film. However, viewers should approach with tempered expectations regarding the absence of extras.

In conclusion, "She-Devil" is unabashedly cartoonish, and if taken on those unambitious merits, it works surprisingly well most of the time. There are some tonal stumbles along the way, and the film may come off as a bit too mean at times, especially since it wants so desperately to be loved, kind of like Ruth Patchett herself. Technical merits are generally strong on this release, and She-Devil comes recommended.