Don Verdean Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Don Verdean," courtesy of Lionsgate Films, showcases a 1080p AVC encoded transfer in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The visual delivery is a mixed bag, characterized by a constant but subtle color grading, often manifesting in a yellowish tint. Blue-purple tints are sporadically noticeable, particularly in certain sequences, and one bar scene is marked by a strong magenta hue. Detail quality fluctuates; while close-ups demonstrate a relative pop in clarity, more extensive scenes appear somewhat soft, with anemic contrast often diminishing fine details. The presentation maintains stability without notable compression or instability issues.

The film begins with a deliberate VHS-quality reel that may initially seem off-putting; this is an intentional stylistic choice to enhance the retro feel of Don's promotional material. Consistent with director Jared Hess's previous works, "Don Verdean" embraces a muted color palette, predominantly favoring earth tones. The aesthetic has been designed to resemble a low-budget festival film. While most of the movie adheres to this brown-centric palette, there are occasional jarring diversions into blue hues which can detract from the overall visual coherence. Softness pervades much of the film; mid-range shots lack the crispness found in closer frames, and banding is noticeable in some sky and fade sequences. This Blu-ray won't astound viewers but offers an adequately serviceable visual experience.

The audio presentation of "Don Verdean" on Blu-ray is anchored by a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, which provides a clean and precise listening experience. As highlighted in the sound design featurette, the film differentiates its settings, such as Utah and the supposed Holy Land, with distinct ambient environmental effects. However, while these effects are more noticeable in the Holy Land sequences, the overall mix does not heavily immerse the viewer, favoring subtle yet effective surround channel usage. Dialogue is crystal clear and well-prioritized, ensuring that every quirky inflection and peculiar accent remains understandable. The track boasts excellent fidelity; however, the dynamic range could be broader.

This straightforward DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix does not offer significant surround sound elements and is devoid of lavish auditory effects. The movie's dialogue-heavy nature necessitates clarity, which is indeed delivered, making even Jemaine Clement's unique mumbling accent discernable. The desert scenes subtly incorporate distant wildlife sounds, and urban sequences contribute a modicum of ambient noise to the surrounds. There is minimal LFE presence, except for a slight boost during the club scene involving Boaz and Carol. This mix is not particularly vibrant but is consistent and free from glaring errors, providing a reliable audio experience that complements the film's content.

The Blu-ray extras for "Don Verdean" offer a modest range of features, although their value is mixed. Jared Hess' Audio Commentary is hindered by frequent pauses and a lack of engaging content, rendering it largely skippable. Digging In: Behind the Scenes of Don Verdean is a very brief behind-the-scenes look that includes some candid shots and short interviews, but its short duration fails to provide substantive insights. Behind the Sounds, the longest featurette, delves into the movie’s sound design but doesn’t offer much beyond the basics.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Director Jared Hess: A hit-or-miss affair with long silent stretches.
• Digging In: Behind the Scenes of Don Verdean: Very brief behind-the-scenes with candid shots and interviews.
• Behind the Sounds: A basic yet interesting featurette on sound design.

"Don Verdean" embarks with a promising premise, casting Sam Rockwell as the titular biblical archaeologist who fumbles through his questionable career. The movie opens humorously with a VHS-quality reel showcasing Verdean's purported 'greatest hits,' immediately setting the tone for a satirical exploration of religious charlatans. The Hesses, known for their unique cinematic style from "Napoleon Dynamite" and "Nacho Libre," delve into the fringe elements of evangelism, portraying Verdean as a well-intentioned yet misguided figure embroiled in humorous, often farcical situations. Despite this fertile comedic ground, the writing struggles to deliver consistent laughs or a cohesive storyline.

A strong cast supports the film, featuring notable talents such as Danny McBride, Amy Ryan, and Jemaine Clement. McBride’s Pastor Tony Lazarus and Forte’s ex-Satanist, Pastor Fontaine, add layers to the narrative, reflecting the comedic yet critical lens the Hesses apply to evangelical culture. Nevertheless, the film grapples with balancing its myriad ideas, resulting in an uneven tonal experience. Boaz, played by Clement, is a standout character whose interactions with Verdean provide some of the film's more engaging moments. Yet, the screenplay often meanders, leading to a disjointed third act that includes an ill-fitted subplot involving the Holy Grail, reminiscent of a rough draft of Spielbergian adventure.

The character development is notably inconsistent. Rockwell’s portrayal of Verdean leaves audiences questioning his true motives and past achievements – is he a genuine believer or merely a charlatan? While there are glimpses of potentially rich backstory and moral complexity, these elements remain underexplored. Consequently, "Don Verdean" feels fragmented with memorable snippets overshadowing its holistic narrative coherence. Fans of the Hesses' peculiar cinema may find sporadic amusement, but for others, the film's attempts at zany humor and satirical critique may fall short of expectations.

"Don Verdean" on Blu-Ray offers an experience that carefully balances the unique comedic style of director Jared Hess with a presentation that neither excels nor disappoints. The film takes us through the morally ambiguous journey of the titular character, set against a backdrop that explores human follies with a restrained hand. On the technical front, the Blu-Ray exhibits decent video quality and very good audio, despite occasional inconsistencies. The color grading enriches the visual storytelling, capturing the arid landscapes and muted ambiance effectively. The audio mix complements this by delivering clear dialogues and a balanced soundtrack.

While enthusiasts of "Napoleon Dynamite" or other projects by the Hesses might find the humor more accessible, those unfamiliar or indifferent to their style may find "Don Verdean" less engaging. The understated comedic approach and subdued narrative pace might not resonate with everyone, which becomes apparent through varied audience reception. Technically, the Blu-Ray’s transfer adheres to satisfactory standards, though it's not groundbreaking by today’s benchmarks.

Despite its shortcomings in driving consistent comedic dividends, "Don Verdean" might appeal more to steadfast fans of Jared Hess. Offering a mix of decent video, very good audio, and competent storytelling, this Blu-Ray release might be worth exploring, albeit perhaps as a rental.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and state that despite my somewhat cynical attitude toward Utah, Utahns (including that numerous subset, the Mormons) are among the nicest people you can ever hope to meet. That very niceness may undercut Don Verdean, for the film plies a kind of beige territory where a more ruthless approach toward its morally questionable characters may have paid more consistent comedic dividends. I really wanted to like Don Verdean, but it never really tickled my funny bone in any significant way. Those who are fans of the Hesses may well find more humor here than I personally did, and for those folks, this release offers decent video and very good audio.