Fat Girl Blu-ray Review

Criterion's Blu-ray presentation of Catherine Breillat's "Fat Girl" features a high-definition 1080p transfer encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, using a 1.86:1 aspect ratio. Derived from a 35mm interpositive and meticulously restored with advanced digital tools, including MTI's DRS and Pixel Farm's PFClean for dirt and scratch removal, the transfer maintains a film-like quality. The clarity and detail are commendable, showing fine textures and nuances, such as small clothing stitches and subtle facial blemishes. Visual artifacts like mild edge-enhancements and occasional halos are present yet infrequent and challenging to notice in motion.

The film's contrast levels exhibit mild restraint, fitting the overall somber tone of the narrative. Improved over previous SDVD releases, the Blu-ray's contrast is almost devoid of the erstwhile noticeable sharpening. Colors now appear more natural, particularly the blues and greens, which previously seemed weak and shimmery. Despite some minor noise corrections, the film grain has been largely preserved, contributing to an authentic viewing experience. Shadow details are well-managed, highlighting elements in dimly lit scenes without loss of clarity. While black levels could be deeper, they remain true and sufficiently detailed to support the film’s visual intent. Technical errors such as stability issues, damage marks, or debris were not observed in this pristine presentation.

Overall, Criterion's meticulous work yields an exceptional visual experience that faithfully represents Breillat's vision, ensuring that "Fat Girl" appears more vivid and detailed than ever before.

The Blu-ray of "Fat Girl" features a sole audio track: French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, accompanied by optional English subtitles. The surround soundtrack has been meticulously remastered at 24-bit from the original six-track digital audio master. Technical enhancements were executed using Pro Tools HD to manually remove clicks, thumps, hiss, and hum while utilizing AudioCube's integrated workstation to attenuate crackle. The result is an exceedingly clean and robust audio presentation.

Primarily a dialogue-driven film, "Fat Girl" demonstrates a limited dynamic intensity and surround activity. Nevertheless, the audio shines brilliantly in key moments, especially in the powerful finale. Dialogue is consistently crisp, clean, stable, and easy to follow without any disturbing noise artifacts such as pops, cracks, or audio dropouts. Additionally, the captivating audio design subtly immerses the viewer, using rear speakers judiciously to enhance environmental sounds such as chirping birds and yard-work, thus creating an enveloping and realistic soundstage.

While front-heavy in presentation with clear, intelligible vocals anchored at the center of the screen, the DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack impresses with its balanced soundstage that exudes warmth and presence. The mid-range frequencies are clean and stable, although not pushed extensively for notable impact. Low bass remains mostly silent but suited to the film's overall design. Ultimately, this lossless mix excels in faithfully replicating the director's audio intentions and delivers a terrifically engaging auditory experience on Blu-ray.

The Blu-ray edition of "Fat Girl" offers a concise yet informative set of extras that provide deeper insights into the film’s creation and themes. While the collection is a direct carryover from Criterion's 2004 DVD release, the materials remain invaluable for fans and scholars alike. The included behind-the-scenes documentary, trailers, and in-depth interviews with director Catherine Breillat add substantial context to the film's controversial and nuanced narrative. Though the extras are somewhat sparse, they are of high quality, capturing the essence of the production and the director's vision with clarity. A 20-page illustrated booklet further enriches the viewing experience, providing analytical essays and exclusive interviews that expound upon the film’s intricate dynamics.

Extras included on this disc:

• U.S. Trailer: The original U.S. trailer for Fat Girl. Music only.
• French Trailer: The original theatrical trailer for Fat Girl, in French with optional English subtitles.
• The Making of Fat Girl: Behind-the-scenes clips with commentary from Catherine Breillat and cast.
• Interviews:
  • Catherine Breillat talks about her film.
  • 2001 Berlin International Film Festival interview.
• Booklet: Contains essays and interviews offering deeper analysis of the film.

French auteur Catherine Breillat's "Fat Girl" (2001) offers an unflinchingly raw exploration of adolescent sexuality and familial dynamics. This narrative revolves around two sisters, twelve-year-old Anais, who is often ridiculed for her weight, and fifteen-year-old Elena, who enjoys more societal approval due to her slim and attractive appearance. The film meticulously displays their relationship oscillating between tenderness and rivalry. While on vacation, Elena becomes romantically involved with Fernando, an older Italian law student, leading to a series of events observed and silently endured by Anais. The complexity of their interactions is heightened by Breillat's portrayal of the characters' contrasting perspectives on sex, love, and self-worth.

Breillat's directorial approach is brutally honest and void of the politically expedient euphemisms often found in films about the subject. The film intertwines abusers and victims within a vicious circle of manipulation and exploitation. Although the primary focus lies on Elena's encounter with Fernando, it’s Anais's quiet observations and internal transformations that convey a more profound statement about the societal stereotypes influencing their lives. The narrative crescendos in three pivotal sex scenes, each progressively more explicit, culminating in a controversial conclusion that challenges the viewers' comfort levels and forces introspection.

"Fat Girl" stands as a stark representation of Breillat’s signature style—unsettling and thought-provoking. The film’s realistic depiction exposes the uncomfortable truths about first sexual experiences and societal expectations from multiple angles—visually intense and emotionally gripping. Éloge to Criterion’s Blu-ray release, which ensures the preservation of Breillat's vision in stunning high-definition quality. This edition is complemented by insightful supplemental material including interviews with Breillat, illustrative booklets, and comprehensive essays that delve deeper into the thematic elements laid bare in this unforgettable cinematic experience.

From the controversial French auteur Catherine Breillat, 'Fat Girl' is an unflinchingly honest coming-of-age tale, exploring nascent sexuality through the perspectives of two distinct sisters. The narrative is simultaneously mesmerizing and unsettling, culminating in a shocking conclusion that leaves a lasting impact. The Criterion Collection's Blu-ray edition excels with a superb video transfer and pristine audio presentation, ensuring that Breillat's vision is rendered with the utmost clarity and fidelity.

The cinematography is hauntingly beautiful, capturing the raw and often uncomfortable essence of adolescence. The detailed transfer preserves the film’s grain structure and rich color palette, enhancing the viewing experience to an appreciable degree. Audio is delivered faithfully with crisp dialogue and meticulously layered environmental sounds that contribute significantly to the film’s immersive atmosphere.

However, the bonus features on this release are somewhat sparse, carried over from previous editions without additional content. While these elements offer some insight into Breillat's creative process and thematic intentions, they leave much to be desired for aficionados seeking deeper engagement with the film's production and its controversial themes. This package is invaluable to admirers of Breillat's daring oeuvre but might be better suited as a rental for those hesitant about its explicit content.

Like Gaspar Noé, Virginie Despentes, and Jean-Claude Brisseau, Catherine Breillat's films are typically amongst the most daring and controversial screened each year at various prestigious festivals worldwide. 'Fat Girl' is not the director's most accessible film, but it stands as her most effective one in terms of provocative storytelling and stark realism. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.