The Family Man Blu-ray Review

The 1080p, VC-1-encoded Blu-ray release of "The Family Man" presents a mix of positives and significant drawbacks. Universal’s effort on this catalog title results in a satisfactory display of black levels and decently saturated colors that feature reasonably accurate flesh tones. The source material appears to be in commendable condition. However, the transfer exhibits a disappointing lack of detail resolution, adversely affecting the overall image quality. Close-up shots manage to retain sufficient clarity, but as the camera pans to medium and long shots, especially scenes depicting complex cityscapes, crowd scenes, or paper-strewn offices, the deficiency becomes glaringly apparent. Objects in the distance, although identifiable, remain indistinct, failing to meet the high standards expected from Dante Spinotti's anamorphic widescreen photography when adequately transferred to high definition.

An additional concern is the presence of edge enhancement, evident in multiple scenes throughout the film. This is most notably intrusive during a scene where Nicolas Cage’s character, Jack Campbell, can be seen presiding over a meeting in a conference room; the edge enhancement artefacts create an unnatural halo effect around his suit jacket. For viewers especially attuned to these issues, such as myself, the edge enhancement, though secondary to the loss of detail, remains a bothersome distraction. This deficiency reveals itself as two sides of the same coin: the transfer’s inability to resolve fine details necessitating the unwelcome augmentation. While viewing this Blu-ray on smaller screens might mask some of these issues, they are certainly present and detract from the overall viewing experience, highlighting a significant missed opportunity for a top-tier presentation of this film.

The DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix for "The Family Man" provides a clear and pleasant auditory experience with its emphasis on dialogue clarity and musicality, particularly enhancing Danny Elfman's score. Ambient sounds such as street traffic, office noises, and shopping mall backgrounds are effectively rendered, contributing to a natural soundscape that complements the on-screen action. However, the audio mix leans towards a front-oriented presentation, lacking the immersive surround field that could elevate the viewing experience.

The bass extension in this mix is moderate, reflecting the nature of the film's sound design, which does not emphasize deep bass effects. The Foley work is competent, with bowling alley sounds and other background elements coming through with commendable clarity. While it achieves a satisfactory level of atmospheric detail, the restrained use of the surround channels results in a less enveloping auditory environment, which may be noticeable to audiophiles seeking a more dynamic multichannel experience.

Overall, the DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix serves its purpose, offering clear dialogue and a pleasant score but falls short of delivering a fully immersive surround sound experience. While it adequately supports the film’s narrative and visual components, it doesn't capitalize on the full potential of a high-definition audio format to provide a truly engaging auditory experience.

The Blu-ray edition of "The Family Man" excels in presenting a comprehensive collection of extras, ported from the 2004 collector's edition DVD. Although some features like production notes and DVD-ROM materials are omitted from the Blu-ray side, they are still accessible on the DVD flip-side. Highlights include insightful commentary tracks from Director Brett Ratner and writers David Diamond and David Weissman, focusing on the film's themes, as well as Producer Marc Abraham, who clears up common misconceptions about the protagonist's character. The isolated music score with Danny Elfman offers limited yet thematic commentary. Fans will also find value in the deleted scenes, outtakes, and a music video by Seal.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Director Brett Ratner and Writers David Diamond and David Weissman: Continuous discussion of film aspects and production themes.
• Commentary with Producer Marc Abraham: Provides clarification on character interpretations and plot decisions.
• Isolated Music Score with Commentary by Composer Danny Elfman: Sparse, theme-focused insights from Elfman.
• Deleted Scenes: Includes nine scenes, highlighting a mother-daughter relationship and a cameo by Paul Sorvino.
• Opening Scene with Alternate Music Track: Features Perry Como's version of "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas."
• Outtakes: A series of long takes where events go hilariously wrong.
• Spotlight on Location: Informative EPK on Ratner's directorial journey and Cage's involvement.
• Hi, Jack Montage: Rapid-fire series of greetings, likely made for a wrap party.
• Seal, This Could Be Heaven Music Video: Plays during closing credits.
• Theatrical Trailer: Includes Talking Heads' "Once in a Lifetime" and an intriguing tagline.
• My Scenes
• pocketBLU®
• BD-Live

In "The Family Man," Nicolas Cage stars as Jack Campbell, a high-flying Wall Street executive who, through an inexplicable act of fate facilitated by the mysterious Cash (Don Cheadle), gets a glimpse of the life he might have led if he had chosen to stay with his college sweetheart Kate (Téa Leoni). The film's premise, often compared to classic morality tales like Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life," struggles under the weight of its ambition. Unlike Capra's George Bailey, who questions his life choices but never doubts his love for his hometown and Mary, Jack finds himself thrust into a suburban New Jersey existence that he finds repellant for most of the film's runtime. The dichotomy between Jack's sleek corporate life and the homey suburban life is drawn too plainly, creating a sense of inevitability rather than genuine character development.

Much of the movie focuses on Jack’s discomfort and struggle to adapt to a life filled with mundane suburban realities—a dull job at Big Ed’s Tires, a mortgage, and household responsibilities. Despite some touching moments with Kate and the children that hint at what he has missed, the film overshadows these with numerous scenes emphasizing Jack's disdain for his new circumstances. This belabored portrayal of suburban discomfort detracts from any meaningful exploration of choices and consequences, leaning more towards exploiting the comedic potential of Cage’s frustration.

Technically, the Blu-ray presentation of "The Family Man" is commendable. The transfer highlights the difference in Jack's two worlds through vibrant imagery and crisp sound design. However, the film's narrative inconsistency and its inability to balance sentimental elements with realism leave it floundering. Ultimately, Brett Ratner's direction lacks the nuanced touch required to meld these contrasting life paths into a cohesive story, resulting in a viewing experience that feels more contrived than compelling.

The Family Man Blu-Ray presents a mixed bag, a combination of heartwarming narrative potential with somewhat disjointed technical execution. Nicolas Cage offers a compelling performance as Jack Campbell, whose journey through an alternative life captivates emotionally yet can come off as forced and implausible. Tea Leoni adds some charm, grounding the emotional threads of the film. However, the movie's overreliance on sentimental tropes ultimately prevents it from achieving a deeper resonance with viewers.

On a technical level, the Blu-Ray transfer is respectable, showcasing decent sharpness and contrast levels that enhance the film’s visual appeal. However, some inconsistencies in detail retention and occasional graininess can prove distracting. The audio quality is solid, maintaining clear dialogue and suitably dynamic sound effects, but it doesn’t particularly stand out. Moreover, the special features are rather sparse, offering little beyond what one might expect from standard releases.

Perhaps the greatest sin of The Family Man is that it spends over half its running time getting us invested in Jack's developing relationship with an adorable moppet named Annie, only to whisk her permanently out of existence at the end of the film. The equivalent would be discovering, in an M. Night Shyamalan twist at the end of It's a Wonderful Life, that Zuzu doesn't exist, along with the rest of George's and Mary's kids. As we leave Frank and Kate chatting over coffee and considering the possibility of picking up where they left off thirteen years ago, you really have to wonder what's going to happen if they do end up having children together. Will Jack be forever scanning the faces of those children, looking for some sign of the dream offspring that Cash showed him? Are Jack's future kids -- not glimpses, but flesh-and-blood beings who feel, suffer and have to live with the consequences of their parents' choices -- doomed to see disappointment in their father's face when he looks in their eyes and doesn't find what he's expecting? These are not unreasonable questions to consider at the end of a film that is entirely based on what-ifs and alternative scenarios, and plays fast and loose with all of them.

I'm aware that The Family Man has its fans, and for them it doesn't matter what a reviewer thinks. For everyone else, I recommend renting first. As far as the Blu-ray's quality is concerned, definitely rent first.