A Room with a View Blu-ray Review

Criterion’s Blu-ray presentation of James Ivory's "A Room with a View" delivers a superlative visual experience, presented in an aspect ratio of 1.66:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC. The transfer has been meticulously supervised by director James Ivory and cinematographer Tony Pierce-Roberts, ensuring a high level of fidelity. The restoration was conducted in 4K resolution using an ARRISCAN film scanner from the original 35mm negative. Detailed attention was paid to rectify chroma hue shifting and various types of film imperfections. The application of MTI’s DRS addressed physical flaws such as dirt, debris, scratches, and splices, while Digital Vision's Phoenix system managed chroma hue corrections, as well as issues with grain, noise, flicker, and jitter.

The result is an exceptionally clean 1080p transfer with stable contrast and vibrant colors. Outdoor sequences exhibit remarkable depth and clarity, whereas indoor scenes benefit from balanced and natural lighting. However, occasional minor instances of chroma hue shifting might be observed during certain daylight sequences, though these are neither frequent nor particularly distracting. Fine details like grain structure are well-preserved without indications of excessive degraining or artificial sharpening. The restoration efforts also ensured smooth transitions free of noticeable warps or edge flickers. The cumulative effect is a visually rich presentation that stands as a definitive rendering of the film for home viewing.

Despite the overall excellence, sporadic reports have surfaced about a possible grid-like flickering noise possibly linked to certain discs rather than the transfer itself. This anomaly seems rare and has not been widely corroborated by other reviewers. Nevertheless, the palette remains integral to the film’s visual composition, with the muted tones coming to life when interspersed with more vibrant blues and reds. Even given its age, fine detailing holds up commendably well, underscoring the high quality of this nearly 30-year-old cinematic masterpiece.

The Blu-ray release of "A Room with a View" features an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, complemented by optional English SDH subtitles. The audio performance delivers exceptional clarity, depth, and balance, creating an immersive aural experience. Richard Robbins' soundtrack seamlessly enhances the period atmosphere without feeling forcibly impressive, blending naturally into the overall cinematic presentation. Dialogues are remarkably stable and clean, ensuring they are easy to follow without any dropouts, pops, or digital distortions.

One minor issue is occasionally noticeable in the musical score; slight warbles can be detected during swelling moments, particularly when notes are sustained. This shakiness, however, is infrequent and does not significantly detract from the overall solid audio quality. The two-channel mix is surprisingly rich with layered sounds, effectively capturing vocal clarity and environmental effects that bring the film's settings to life. Nonetheless, in some densely packed scenes, the convergence of dialogue and effects can feel audibly claustrophobic, as the limited channel output strives to manage the extensive layering.

Overall, the DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track stands out for its technical prowess and the well-rounded auditory experience it provides despite the slight warbling in the music and potential for overwhelming sound layering in specific scenes.

The extras on the Blu-ray of "A Room with a View" offer an insightful and comprehensive look into the making and impact of the film. The standout features are the detailed and reflective documentary segments, which include candid interviews with key cast and crew members. "Thought and Passion" provides a deep dive into the directorial decisions and challenges faced by James Ivory, alongside insights from Tony Pierce-Roberts on the film's cinematography and John Bright on costume design. Helena Bonham Carter, Julian Sands, and Simon Callow share personal anecdotes in "The Eternal Yes," highlighting their experiences and interactions during production. Archival material such as the "NBC Nightly News" segment adds historical context about the film’s critical reception and success. The package is complemented by an illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by critic John Pym.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Original trailer for A Room with a View.
• Thought and Passion: A documentary featuring interviews with director James Ivory, cinematographer Tony Pierce-Roberts, and costume designer John Bright.
• The Eternal Yes: Documentary with insights from Helena Bonham Carter, Julian Sands, and Simon Callow.
• NBC Nightly News: Excerpt from a 1987 episode highlighting James Ivory and Ismail Merchant's creative partnership.
• Leaflet: Illustrated leaflet with an essay by John Pym.

James Ivory's "A Room with a View" (1985) offers an intricate exploration of Edwardian social structures and personal awakenings, beautifully restored on Blu-ray by Criterion. Set against the sun-drenched backdrop of Florence, Italy, and the verdant English countryside, the narrative follows Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham Carter), a young upper-class Englishwoman, and her emotional journey. The story is incited by an impulsive kiss from George Emerson (Julian Sands), which forces Lucy to confront conflicting emotions between societal expectations and true affection. Upon returning to England, she becomes engaged to Cecil Vyse (Daniel Day-Lewis), a man who epitomizes the rigid moralistic values of her class. However, the return of George and his father compels Lucy to reconsider her choices, leading to a poignant confrontation between heart and mind.

The film is driven by well-crafted performances and an astutely adapted screenplay by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, with Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant meticulously bringing E.M. Forster's novel to life. The picturesque Florence symbolizes initial romantic ideals overshadowed by a critical commentary on the British class system. The contrast between the vibrant Italian scenery and the suffocating English estate visually emphasizes Lucy's internal struggle. The dialogues are elegant yet superficial, highlighting the meaningless societal games reminiscent of talentless actors unaware they are in a play. Through subtle humor and sharply written interactions, the film critiques the sterility and intellectual suffocation of Lucy's world, presenting doubts about whether true love can flourish within such confines.

The Blu-ray release enhances this exquisite period piece with meticulous attention to detail in both the visual presentation and supplementary features. Criterion's package includes new interviews with key cast and crew, archival footage, and a detailed essay by John Pym, enriching the viewer’s understanding of the film's context and production. Technically superb with an excellent transfer, "A Room with a View" stands out as a timeless classic that masterfully blends sophisticated narrative and visual storytelling, retaining its relevance and charm decades after its initial release.

Criterion's new Blu-ray release of "A Room with a View" features a brand-new 4K restoration that promises to be its definitive home video presentation. This period-piece romantic drama, set in Edwardian England, distinguishes itself with captivating characters, stellar performances, and exceptional writing. The film's production design and cinematography are visually stunning, offering a serene elegance that is both engaging and meticulous. However, some viewers may find this elegance somewhat sterile and the characters' honesty questionable, which might pose a challenge to fully embrace the narrative.

Despite its commendable attributes, the disc has exhibited intermittent quality flaws; specific batches display a flickering noise pattern on the video. Additionally, the audio remastering reveals underlying warbling issues that detract from the overall musical experience. These technical imperfections are unfortunate as they somewhat mar what could have been an immaculate presentation by Criterion. Moreover, this release includes two substantial special features, enhancing its value for collectors and enthusiasts of this genre.

In conclusion, "A Room with a View" is a beautiful yet polarizing film that serves as a critique of Edwardian societal constraints, particularly on women's choices. Criterion's Blu-ray, sourced from the new 4K restoration, is highly recommended with the caveat of potential intermittent disc flaws. Despite these issues, this release presents an evocative piece of cinematic history that should not be missed by admirers of elegantly crafted films.