The Decoy Bride Blu-ray Review

IFC presents "The Decoy Bride" on Blu-ray with a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that honors the film’s original intent. Shot on 35mm, the movie maintains a naturally filmic texture with medium grain that avoids the pitfalls of digital noise reduction and edge enhancement. Notably, there are no compression issues, ensuring a clean and authentic viewing experience. Although the overall picture appears slightly soft, likely due to the film stock and lenses used, the high-definition quality is evident. While longer shots may lack some sharpness, close-ups are rich in detail and nuance, effectively capturing textures such as James' fur-collared vest and the fine lines of Lara's makeup.

The film's 2.40:1 widescreen format is well-preserved, with accurate flesh tones and excellent visibility in both daylight and darker interior scenes. The cinematography, though a bit bland and flatly lit typical of many rom-coms, reproduces color with precision. Most scenes feature a warm yellowish cast that enhances the mood without distorting skin tones or oversaturating hues. Contrast performance is satisfactory, with strong blacks and highlights that avoid harsh peaking. The overall print is in immaculate condition, free from specks and scratches, reinforcing the presentation's high quality.

"The Decoy Bride" may not be visually groundbreaking, but its presentation on Blu-ray is solid, offering a faithful rendition that balances aesthetic integrity with technical precision.

The Blu-ray of "The Decoy Bride" boasts a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track that offers a functional and modestly enveloping listening experience. The sound design, while not particularly energetic, does effectively fill the audio space with environmental elements and occasional effects. For example, as Katie rides the ferry back to Hegg, the rear speakers convincingly relay the sound of waves lapping. Throughout the film, the audio track diligently incorporates seaside ambiance such as distant bird calls, gentle breezes, and heavy rainfall. Julian Nott’s score, though standard fare for a rom-com, is well balanced within the mix. However, some of the additional musical selections come across as notably jarring.

From a technical perspective, the audio quality is solid, offering clear and balanced sound that maintains intelligibility throughout, even when addressing the occasionally thick accents of the characters. Dialogue delivery remains crisp and coherent, ensuring no loss of narrative clarity. Additionally, the Blu-ray provides optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles in vivid yellow lettering for those who may need assistance with understanding dialogue. Overall, while the audio track might lack dynamism, it satisfactorily supports the film’s ambiance and character interactions with an appropriate level of clarity and detail.

The Blu-ray extras for "The Decoy Bride" are relatively sparse but offer some insightful glimpses behind the scenes. The disc includes extensive interviews with the primary cast and crew, delivering valuable perspectives on the film’s production. Though the Behind the Scenes feature lacks typical narration and structure, it provides a raw, unfiltered look at on-location footage, giving it a unique authenticity akin to home movies. The single Deleted Scene is rather brief, offering minimal additional content. The FX Shots montage briefly showcases digital enhancements to specific scenes but suffers from a lack of explanatory commentary, thereby reducing its overall impact. The Trailer rounds out the extras, providing a polished preview of the movie.

Extras included in this disc:

• Interviews: Extensive sit-downs with key cast and crew members.
• Behind the Scenes: Unstructured on-location footage of the film's shooting process.
• Deleted Scene: A very short scene cut from the final version.
• FX Shots: Brief clips of digital effects work with no explanations.
• Trailer: A promotional preview of the movie.

"The Decoy Bride" presents a quintessential example of the romantic comedy genre, accentuated by its picturesque Scottish backdrop. Directed by Sheree Folkson and written by Neil Jaworski and Sally Phillips, the film follows lovelorn Katie Nic Aodh, played by Kelly MacDonald, who returns to the fictional island of Hegg after an ill-fated relationship. What sets the movie apart visually is its effective use of the foggy, heather-covered landscape of the Isle of Man, doubling for Hegg. This setting injects a certain scenic charm, though it’s not enough to salvage the otherwise predictable and whimsical narrative.

The plot intertwines Katie’s story with that of nebbish writer James Arber, portrayed by David Tennant, and his fiancée, American actress Lara Tyler (Alice Eve). The narrative contrives a series of happenstance events that begin with an aborted high-profile wedding and culminate in a farcical pseudo-marital mix-up. While the film makes an effort to showcase MacDonald and Tennant's chemistry—MacDonald's endearing frustrations and Tennant's nerdy charm—the plot’s believability is stretched thin. Some elements, such as a paparazzo posing as a monk, add to the whimsy but fall flat in execution.

"The Decoy Bride" primarily suffers from an overabundance of whimsy and cliched tropes typical of rom-coms. The sappy acoustic background music and face-palm-inducing dialogue undermine any attempts at wit or emotional depth. Despite some genuinely charming moments between the lead actors, the film remains plagued by saccharine predictability and lacks the smart, stylish sophistication one might hope for. Nevertheless, for fans of the genre, the performance of its cast and the beautiful Scottish Isles backdrop may offer some meager solace amidst the contrivances.

The Blu-ray release of "The Decoy Bride" stands out for its technical execution, offering a visually satisfying experience. Shot against the picturesque backdrop of the Scottish Isles, the film’s picture quality excels in capturing the vibrant and rugged landscapes. The high-definition transfer maintains a consistent clarity, with finely detailed textures and natural color grading enhancing the overall viewing experience. Audio quality complements the visuals effectively. Dialogues are clear, and the soundtrack, which features both original scores and well-placed musical selections, integrates seamlessly with the narrative.

The film stars Kelly MacDonald and David Tennant in lead roles, delivering commendable performances despite being trapped in a broadly predictable storyline. The rom-com elements follow the well-trodden path of mutual disdain evolving into affection, a formula seen in numerous predecessors. However, the cast's chemistry and comedic timing lend an engaging touch to this familiar trope. Kelly MacDonald, in particular, brings a nuanced depth to her character, elevating the film’s emotional beats.

In terms of extras, this Blu-ray release includes nearly forty-five minutes of behind-the-scenes interviews with the cast and crew. These insights offer additional layers to understanding the film's production and creative choices, making it a valuable addition for enthusiasts curious about behind-the-camera perspectives.

The Decoy Bride is proof positive that Americans don't have the monopoly on mediocre rom-coms. The film's Scottish setting may differentiate it�and I do like the idea of Boardwalk Empire's Kelly MacDonald and Dr. Who's David Tennant together�but this is the same old they-hate-each-other-until-they-fall-in-love story we've seen done better countless times before. IFC's Blu-ray release is solid, and includes nearly forty-five minutes of interviews with the cast and crew, but this is a rental for less discriminating rom-com fans at best.