Secret Sunshine Blu-ray Review

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.33:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, Lee Chang-dong's "Secret Sunshine" arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion with a pristine 1080p transfer. Supervised by director Lee Chang-dong and cinematographer Cho Yong-kyu, this release was struck from the original camera negative, resulting in an immaculate picture quality. The detail is consistently crisp and sharp, showcasing impressive clarity across the board. Importantly, the transfer maintains an organic feel that closely replicates the theatrical presentation.

The color reproduction excels with vibrant yet natural hues. The outdoor scenes, in particular, exhibit lush and convincing colors, including a balanced palette of blues, greens, yellows, and browns. Additionally, black levels are deep and true, with excellent shadow delineation adding depth to the overall image. However, it’s worth noting that the contrast levels run a bit hotter than typical, occasionally affecting finer details in the highlights but without detracting significantly from the visual experience.

Textural details are handled with precision, with fine lines in hair, clothing, and backgrounds standing out clearly. Facial complexions appear natural and revealing, adding to the film's emotional weight. Despite the occasional subdued look of some colors, the primary tones are rendered accurately, and there are no issues with edge-enhancement or compression artifacts. This Blu-ray presentation offers a top-tier visual experience worthy of its critically acclaimed source material.

The lone audio track on the Blu-ray release of "Secret Sunshine" is a Korean DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, accompanied by optional English subtitles. The subtitles are seamlessly integrated within the image frame, ensuring an uninterrupted visual experience. This audio track presents a commendable dynamic amplitude, although it does not emphasize surround or bass activity. Importantly, the film's dialogue is consistently clear, stable, and exceptionally easy to follow, devoid of any pops, cracks, hiss, or audio dropouts.

The DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack, taken from digital master files, impresses with an open and spacious soundstage, offering exceptional acoustical detail and well-executed channel separation. Background activity flows smoothly and adds to the immersive atmosphere, while the musical score enriches the front soundfield with inviting clarity. Moments of silence are profoundly significant, reflecting Shin-ae’s emotional turmoil with an impactful presence. Despite limited low-end activity and minimal use of surround speakers, the lossless mix remains true to its source material and delivers a rich auditory experience that aligns well with the film's emotional narrative and character-centered focus.

The Blu-ray of "Secret Sunshine" offers a robust selection of extras that provide deep insights into the film’s creation and thematic underpinnings. The disc includes an exclusive interview with director Lee Chang-dong, conducted by film critic Kim Young-jin. This 25-minute segment delves into the characters, complex themes, and production nuances of the film, making it an engaging piece for cinephiles and scholars alike. Additionally, the behind-the-scenes featurette showcases interviews with lead actors Jeon Do-yeon and Song Kang-ho, alongside intriguing on-set footage that enhances understanding of the film's production dynamics. Completing the extras is the original U.S. trailer and an informative booklet featuring an essay by Dennis Lim. The content is presented in high-definition, ensuring a quality viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Lee Chang-dong: Director discusses themes, characters, and production history.
• On the set of Secret Sunshine: On-set interviews with actors and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Trailer: Original U.S. trailer with English subtitles.
• Booklet: Illustrated booklet with an essay by Dennis Lim.

"Secret Sunshine," directed by Lee Chang-dong, is a poignant exploration of grief, faith, and existential disillusionment, brought to life by the award-winning performance of Jeon Do-yeon. The narrative follows Shin-ae, a widow who relocates to her late husband's provincial hometown of Miryang, hoping for a fresh start. However, an unforeseeable tragedy shatters her world, leading her to question her faith and confront the stark realities of her beliefs. The film's first act depicts Shin-ae's hopeful attempt to integrate into the community, contrasted by a powerful second act where her suffering and subsequent alienation intensify. Jeon Do-yeon's portrayal of Shin-ae's emotional descent is heartbreakingly authentic, underlining the film's critical acclaim and her Best Actress Award at Cannes.

Lee Chang-dong’s direction employs a minimalist, almost literary style that focuses intensely on character development without overtly directing the narrative. His approach creates a meditative and observational environment where the protagonist's internal and external struggles unfold organically. The film subtly critiques the role of religion in coping with personal traumas, not by questioning God's existence directly but by highlighting the complex interplay between faith and human suffering. This thematic exploration is particularly evident in the contrasting behaviors and moral ambiguities of those around Shin-ae, including Song Kang-ho's lonely mechanic character, who intensifies her emotional turmoil with his unrequited affection.

Technically, "Secret Sunshine" is meticulously crafted. The cinematography features intentionally steady and measured camerawork, giving select scenes a documentary-like realism. However, some sequences in the latter half of the film could benefit from tighter editing to maintain narrative momentum. Despite these minor critiques, "Secret Sunshine" remains an evocative, compassionate study of shattered faith and human resilience, enriched by Criterion’s excellent presentation on Blu-ray, complete with insightful supplementary materials.

Lee Chang-dong's "Secret Sunshine" is a cinematic tour de force that masterfully delves into themes of grief, faith, and human resilience. This emotionally charged drama, headlined by an extraordinary performance from Do-yeon Jeon, meticulously explores the journey of a woman grappling with profound loss and searching for solace. The film's narrative unfolds with subtlety, prompting viewers to engage deeply with its critique on the complexities of organized religion and its impact on personal suffering.

Criterion's Blu-ray presentation of "Secret Sunshine" upholds the company’s reputation for excellence. The visual fidelity is striking, offering a near-reference picture quality that beautifully captures the film’s nuanced aesthetics. The audio presentation complements the visuals, providing a crisp and immersive soundscape that enhances the viewing experience. Despite a notable scarcity of supplementary materials, the core content’s integrity remains intact.

In conclusion, "Secret Sunshine" presents a deeply resonant story that is both thought-provoking and evocative. Criterion’s release underscores the film’s artistic prowess with top-notch technical execution. This package, while light on extras, is a must-have for aficionados of intellectual and emotional cinema. Very highly recommended.