Lost River Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "Lost River" is a technical marvel, presenting a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that masterfully showcases Benoît Debie's evocative cinematography. Shot on 35mm film, the resolution captures an impressive array of details, from distressed earthen hues to ethereal, vibrant primary colors like reds and deep purples. The film grain is meticulously retained, adding texture without overwhelming the frame. The encoding is notably clean, exhibiting no banding, macroblocking, or aliasing, even in the dark, shadow-filled sequences. Contrast and black levels are adjusted perfectly to deliver an immersive and atmospheric viewing experience, albeit with minor instances of black and red crush.

Clarity and depth are equally remarkable. The image is sharp and crisp, providing an extraordinary level of detail—whether it's the overgrown weeds dismantling abandoned buildings or the intricate facial details and textures of cracked paint. Edge definition is precise, and textures are exceptionally well-resolved, contributing to an almost tactile sense of realism. Backgrounds remain distinct and clear, with characters and objects appearing naturally free within their environments. Colors are beautifully reproduced, with greens, lavenders, and reds rendering vividly across various scenes. Skin tones maintain their accuracy throughout, enhancing the visceral quality of the close-ups.

In sum, the video transfer for "Lost River" on Blu-ray is virtually flawless. It balances bold colors, intricate details, and deep blacks to create a compelling visual narrative that amplifies the film's unique aesthetic. The transfer does justice to Debie's cinematography, ensuring that every frame is a visual treat for those looking to appreciate the director's artistic vision.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track on the Blu-ray release of "Lost River" stands as a testament to the seamless integration of sound design and narrative intent. Johnny Jewel's score pulses, crescendos, and ripples through the soundfield, adding an unsettling yet engaging dreamlike vitality that complements Benoît Debie's otherworldly visuals. The audio mix masterfully balances LFE output, producing bold and assertive bass that keeps the listener engrossed, be it through the construction equipment's clamor or the subtle ambient noises of a dilapidated factory. Surround channels surge and recede in harmony, providing an immersive environment that adapts to both naturalistic and surreal scenes, with cross-channel pans and dynamic ranges impressively transparent and impactful.

The strength of the mix also lies in its meticulous attention to detail. The auditory landscape is rich with nuanced ambient and directional effects that align perfectly with the film's mood, often designed to disorient or discomfort the viewer intentionally. This intention is particularly evident when characters navigate Dave's club or engage in muffled conversations behind thick glass, creating a sense of disorientation that enhances the narrative's dark undertones. While some dialogue moments veer toward being obscured by the cacophony or music, this is clearly a directorial choice rather than a flaw in the audio design. Additionally, sound effects like car engines and tools striking concrete are reproduced with authentic richness and precision, contributing to a highly sensory experience. Overall, Warner's lossless track does an excellent job of reproducing the film's complex soundscape without any technical hitches.

The Blu-ray release of "Lost River" is notably devoid of any special features, leaving audiences without additional context or insights that could have enriched their viewing experience. This omission is particularly significant given the film's complex narrative and stylistic choices, which could benefit tremendously from supplemental content such as director commentaries or making-of documentaries. The absence of these extras might be a strategic move by Warner Bros., potentially aiming to cultivate the film's status as a cult classic and encouraging future purchases of an anticipated special edition.

Extras included in this disc:

• None

Ryan Gosling's directorial debut, "Lost River," presents a visually striking yet narratively inconsistent dark fairy tale set in a near-abandoned city. The film gravitates towards directors like David Lynch and Nicolas Winding Refn in stylistic ambition but falls short in substance. Cinematographer Benoît Debie orchestrates hypnotic visuals that often overshadow the storytelling. While the film is a visual feast, featuring captivatingly grotesque scenes in an eerie underground club, the plot tends to disintegrate into ambiguity and convolution. The primary characters—Billy (Christina Hendricks), her son Bones (Iain De Caestecker), and the unnerving antagonist Dave (Ben Mendelsohn)—navigate personal and supernatural crises, adding layers of tension but often diverging into disparate narrative paths that dilute the film's impact.

Despite possessing a simple core plot, the film’s execution is marked by siloed subplots that lead to an emotional disconnect. Billy's struggle to save her home by working at a macabre club and Bones' quest to break Lost River's curse encounter thematic and tonal shifts that feel ungrounded. Performances, particularly from Mendelsohn and Smith (Bully), bring a necessary intensity but are often hampered by a script attempting to balance multiple genres—drama, horror, and surreal fantasy—without consistently managing their intersections. Johnny Jewel’s mesmerizing score adds an effective atmospheric layer, making some scenes more emotionally resonant even as their narrative clarity diminishes.

Ultimately, "Lost River" stands as a polarizing piece of cinema—its alluring visual composition and unsettling ambiance will engage a select audience, while its fragmented storytelling may alienate others. Gosling channels his inspirations but struggles to define a cohesive vision, resulting in a film that is as captivating as it is confounding. The director’s attempt at ambitious, avant-garde filmmaking comes with moments of brilliance overshadowed by its erratic assembly, making "Lost River" a challenging yet fascinating viewing experience.

Lost River is a film that defies easy categorization, combining surreal imagery with a narrative heavily influenced by the works of Lynch and Refn. Ryan Gosling's directorial debut offers a unique visual and auditory experience, thanks to the excellent cinematography by Benoît Debie and a haunting score from Johnny Jewel. Warner’s Blu-ray release significantly enhances this experience through its superior audio and video quality, allowing viewers to fully immerse themselves in the film’s moody, dreamlike world. The presentation excels in capturing the film's aesthetics, which may initially seem disjointed but grow more compelling with each viewing.

However, the Blu-ray release is sorely lacking in special features. There are no commentaries, behind-the-scenes footage, or interviews to provide additional context or insights into the film’s production and conceptual underpinnings. This omission is disappointing, especially for a film as polarizing and enigmatic as Lost River. While some viewers might appreciate the freedom to interpret the film in their own ways, others might feel shortchanged by the absence of any supplementary content that could enhance their understanding and appreciation of Gosling’s vision.

Ultimately, Lost River is a film that invites, and perhaps demands, repeat viewings. It may alienate some with its ambiguity and slow pace, but it has the potential to captivate those willing to delve deeper into its surreal landscape. Whether you end up loving it or deciding it’s not for you, the technical quality of the Blu-ray makes it worth a watch.

It occurred to me that Lost River might be an acquired taste. Or that its ambiguity would take on a deeper significance if I only watched the film multiple times. Three viewings later and I'm as convinced as ever that Gosling's directorial debut is a doting assemblage of influences and inspirations -- the films of Lynch, Refn and others -- rather than a hypnotic product of those influences and inspirations. It's a fine line, but one that's never seemed more clear. Still, the beauty of surreal cinema is that it tends to alienate a majority of its potential audience before finding a small contingent that appreciates its finer qualities. There's a very good chance you'll be as disappointed by Lost River as I was... but there's also a chance you'll feel differently. Either way, there's no harm in giving it a spin, if only to join the often riveting discussions that spring up around these sorts of films. Warner's Blu-ray release certainly makes it easier to enjoy Benoît Debie's cinematography and Johnny Jewel's score, thanks to a terrific AV presentation. It's just a shame there aren't any special features. I would have loved to hear a filmmaker's commentary or watched Gosling work via a production documentary; anything that might shed further light on the film and his process. Would I appreciate Lost River more? It's possible. But then these films do seem to resonate more when audiences are given the chance to interpret things in a relative vacuum, without filmmaker input or interference.