Pollock Blu-ray Review

Sony’s Blu-ray rendition of "Pollock" delivers an exemplary video quality, gracefully balancing between elegance and a raw, authentic texture that mirrors the film's artistic essence. The 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer does justice to the original intent of Harris and director of photography Lisa Rinzler, offering a visual feast that highlights the rugged beauty of Pollock’s artwork. Colors are rendered with lifelike warmth—notably, the skin tones appear remarkably natural while blacks are deep and absorbing. The primaries stand out vibrantly against a backdrop of well-maintained and dynamic contrast, ensuring that the visual experience is as engaging as it is faithful to the source. Detailing is a particular strength; whether it’s the nuanced traces of paint on Pollock’s canvases or the textured close-ups that reveal every aspect of Ed Harris's transformative performance, clarity is consistently impressive. Despite minor anomalies in edge definition under certain lighting conditions, the overall sharpness remains uncompromised, avoiding artificial enhancements that could detract from the organic feel of the film’s visuals.

The adherence to a natural grain structure adds to the film's cinematic integrity, ensuring that the transfer respects the film’s original texture without veering into excessive noise, except for a singular scene where the low-light conditions introduce a denser grain pattern. This moment, while notably more textured, underscores the independent nature of the film, a sentiment echoed by Harris in his commentary. The balance between sharp detail and natural film grain contributes to a cohesive and immersive viewing experience, further enhancing the authenticity and emotional depth of "Pollock."

Moreover, the Blu-ray’s treatment of both subdued and vibrant scenes showcases an attention to detail that fans of the film and aficionados of cinematography will appreciate. Scenes rich in color and contrast remain vivid and striking, making Pollock's iconic paintings come alive on screen. The minor instances of overly sharp edges in bright conditions do little to detract from an otherwise meticulously crafted video presentation. Whether it’s capturing the subtle variations in light or providing a granular look at the textured landscapes of both Pollock's environments and his art, the Blu-ray offers a visually arresting experience that enhances the film's emotional and aesthetic impact.

Jeff Beal's masterful score is the sonic pillar of "Pollock," weaving through the audio landscape to echo the protagonist's tumultuous descent. The Blu-Ray's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track plays a pivotal role in this auditory experience, crafting a presentation that, while front-loaded and conversation-driven, manages to immerse the viewer significantly more than a stereo mix might. Dialogue clarity is commendable across the board, with most lines delivered crisply and intelligibly. This clarity helps in understanding the subtle nuances of character interactions, though a handful of scenes, particularly those set in bustling gallery shows, suffer from slightly muddied audio not caught by the microphones nor fixed in post-production.

The dynamics of the soundtrack are robust, with a fine balance maintained between the forefront conversations and the atmospheric score. However, engagement from the rear channels is sporadic, primarily making their presence known during moments of heightened drama, such as Pollock's more destructive episodes. These moments aside, the surround sound experience feels underutilized, with ambient sounds and music not consistently enveloping the listener. Similarly, the low-frequency effects (LFE) channel provides support that, while occasionally impactful—especially during key musical moments—lacks consistent presence or depth throughout the viewing experience.

Overall, "Pollock" on Blu-Ray offers an audio experience that, despite its limitations in rear-channel engagement and low-frequency output, delivers where it counts. Dialogue is mostly clear, and Jeff Beal's score is beautifully presented, enhancing the film's emotional and thematic depth. While it may not stand out as a reference-quality audio track, it effectively complements the storytelling, ensuring a satisfactory auditory experience that matches the tone and setting of the film admirably.

The extra presentation of the Blu Ray of "Pollock" provides an in-depth look into the production and thought process behind this critically acclaimed film, albeit with some repetitive content. The audio commentary by Ed Harris, despite its quirky delivery, offers fascinating insights into the film's creation, though some viewers might find it less engaging over time. The Charlie Rose Interview stands out for Harris' palpable passion and in-depth discussion, making it a highlight amongst the extras. "The Making of Pollock" featurette, although echoing content found elsewhere, remains a solid inclusion for those interested in the film's background. The selection of deleted scenes, including "The Cedar Bar" and "Stray Dogs," offers a glimpse into the editorial decisions made during the film's production, showcasing content that, while not essential to the final cut, enriches the narrative context for dedicated fans. These extras, while varying in quality, collectively deepen the viewer's appreciation of the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Director/actor Ed Harris discusses the making of "Pollock," sharing behind-the-scenes stories and critiquing aspects of the film.

• Charlie Rose Interview: An engaging interview with Ed Harris that delves deeper into the themes and production insights than the commentary.

• The Making of Pollock: A featurette from the DVD era that offers a general overview of the film's production process.

• Deleted Scenes: Four scenes removed from the final cut, providing additional context and character development.

• Theatrical Trailer: The original promotional trailer for "Pollock.

Pollock," directed by and starring Ed Harris, emerges as a biographical odyssey exploring the turbulent life of Jackson Pollock, the pioneer of abstract expressionism. Taking on the roles of both director and protagonist, Harris delivers a tour de force performance, deeply invested in the representation of Pollock’s chaotic world. The film is a product of Harris’s decade-long dedication, beginning from a moment of inspiration drawn from the biography "Jackson Pollock: An American Saga." His portrayal is accompanied by Marcia Gay Harden's Oscar-winning role as Lee Krasner, Pollock's wife and pivotal supporter, whose sacrifice and influence are central to the narrative. This cinematic venture unveils the couple against the backdrop of the 1940s New York art scene, spotlighting Pollock's revolutionary yet emotionally tumultuous journey to fame.

The narrative intricately weaves Pollock's artistic innovation with his personal demons, particularly emphasizing his struggle with alcoholism and its impact on his relationships and self-perception. Harris's commitment to authenticity extends to his physical engagement with painting, creating Pollock-esque artworks himself, adding a layer of genuineness to the portrayal. The film bravely confronts Pollock's volatile temperament and severe self-doubt, portraying the complexity of his character without reducing him to his flaws. It navigates the tumultuous ups and downs of Pollock's life, mirroring his erratic yet profound creative process.

Despite its ambitions, "Pollock" somewhat grapples with fully capturing the essence and motivations behind the artist's revolutionary vision. The film peeks into Pollock’s psyche, inviting viewers to experience his internal battles and the chaotic whirlwind of his mind. However, it leaves an air of mystery around the deeper understandings of his art and personal struggles. The narrative, while making bold attempts at diving into Pollock's inner world, occasionally leaves viewers searching for a more grounded insight into what truly drove Pollock beyond his surface-level turmoil. Even so, Harris’s passionate investment in the project shines through, offering a lens not only into Pollock’s life but also into the soul of creativity and the unyielding pursuit of artistic expression.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Pollock" is commendable for its technical achievements and supplementary content. The visual quality is impressive, showcasing the film's artistic scenes with great clarity and vividness. The audio aspect does not disappoint either, providing an immersive experience that complements the visuals well. Additionally, the inclusion of a selection of extras adds value to the overall package, offering insights that enthusiasts will appreciate. However, despite these positive attributes, there exists a longing for a deeper exploration into the life and psyche of Jackson Pollock himself.

Viewers are left yearning for a more intimate portrayal of Pollock's inner turmoil and the profound connection between his tumultuous emotions and his revolutionary art. The film, while effectively presenting Pollock's artistic journey, barely scratches the surface of his complex character and the personal demons that drove him. This surface-level exploration somewhat limits the film's potential to fully engage the audience on an emotional level, leaving a gap between what is depicted and the richer, more substantial understanding that could have been achieved.

In conclusion, while the Blu-ray release of "Pollock" excels in presenting the film with high-quality visuals and sound, along with valuable additional content, it falls short in delivering a deeply probing narrative that fully encapsulates the essence of Jackson Pollock. Though aesthetically pleasing and technically proficient, it leaves an appetite for a more thorough and nuanced exploration of Pollock's life and art, which feels essential for a truly immersive and enlightening viewing experience.