A Little Help Blu-ray Review
Score: 55
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
Jenna Fischer shines in an understated indie drama, showcasing her range; worth a watch for fans or if found cheap on Blu-ray, but not a must-buy.
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Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 62
The Blu-ray of 'A Little Help' delivers a 1080p/AVC-encoded image that's generally detailed and free from major artifacts, though plagued by weak contrast and less vibrant colors; strong facial and texture details, but occasionally crushing blacks and flat color grading mark its visual presentation.
Audio: 62
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for 'A Little Help' is front-heavy and dialogue-focused, with occasional ambient sounds and robust musical segments, delivering clean and unobtrusive audio suited to this indie dramedy. Optional English SDH subtitles are easily legible.
Extra: 42
The Blu-ray extras for 'A Little Help' include EPK-style interviews with the main cast and crew in 1080p (11:54), a Jacob Dylan music video in SD (4:21), a brief TV spot in SD (00:31), and the theatrical trailer in 1080p (2:15), offering a concise yet varied look behind the scenes.
Movie: 55
A Little Help navigates the familiar realm of indie drama with a low-budget, restrained approach, lifted by Jenna Fischer’s convincing performance as a beleaguered single mom. Though laden with typical clichés, her transformation from her sweet 'The Office' persona into a troubled, beer-chugging character is both refreshing and well-executed.
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Video: 62
"A Little Help" presents a 1080p/AVC-encoded image on Blu-ray that offers an overall acceptable visual experience but falls short of being particularly impressive. With fine detail in faces and clothing textures visible, especially during close-ups, the film maintains decent clarity. However, the contrast remains weak, leading to black levels that often appear grayish and colors that lack vibrancy. For example, the red feathers of a parrot in an early scene fail to achieve the expected brightness and vividness. This flat contrast curve and color grading persist throughout the film, contributing to a generally muted visual aesthetic.
On the positive side, mid-range photography retains a high level of detail with precise edges and clarity, devoid of noticeable aliasing or compression artifacts. While there is occasional compression noise, other issues like DNR abuses and edge enhancement are absent. Despite some minor setbacks such as potential black crush in dark scenes, the Blu-ray does well given the film's low-budget indie status. The overall visual presentation is watchable but indicates that a more robust transfer could significantly enhance the viewing experience.
Audio: 62
The audio presentation of "A Little Help" on Blu-ray includes a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, which is highly appropriate for the film’s nature as a low-budget indie dramedy. This mix is predominantly front-heavy and focuses extensively on dialogue, ensuring conversations are clear, free from muffling, crackles, or pops. The soundtrack, featuring contributions from Jakob Dylan, is presented with decent dynamics and a well-balanced spread of instrumentation. However, more intricate sound design elements are minimal, keeping environmental and ambient sounds, such as bird tweets, situated quietly in the rear speakers.
While the audio mix for "A Little Help" may not provide a flashy or stunning experience, it proves to be effective for the film’s needs. Ambient noise does occasionally utilize the rear channels to add depth to specific scenes, such as the echoing of the parrot’s voice or the indie rock-infused soundtrack enhancing the rear soundfield. Low-frequency effects (LFE) are subtle but make their presence felt during musical segments when necessary. Overall, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track delivers a clean and competent audio experience that aligns well with the understated nature of the film. Optional English SDH subtitles offer additional accessibility with easy-to-read white lettering.
Extra: 42
The Blu Ray extras for "A Little Help" are a mixed bag of promotional materials that enhance the movie-watching experience, albeit in a rather standardized manner. The interviews are predominantly EPK-style and provide some insights from key cast members, including Jenna Fischer and Chris O'Donnell, though they are heavily interspersed with movie clips. The music video by Jacob Dylan adds an extra layer, blending studio performances with selected dramatic scenes from the film. Standard definition quality for both the music video and the TV Spot might seem dated to some viewers, but they serve their purpose. The inclusion of the film's trailer is a nice touch, providing a succinct glimpse into the movie's central themes.
Extras included in this disc:
- Interviews: EPK-style interviews with key cast and crew.
- Jakob Dylan Music Video: Studio performance interspersed with dramatic film clips.
- TV Spot: A brief commercial for the movie.
- Trailer: The theatrical trailer of the film.
Movie: 55
Jenna Fischer leads her first film role in "A Little Help," extending her well-known ‘girl-next-door’ persona from "The Office." Playing Laura, a troubled dental hygienist, she adds depth and darker nuances to her character, depicting what Pam Beesly might become if her life went off the rails. Fischer's Laura is a harried single mom struggling with alcohol, a doomed marriage, and motherhood. The film opens with her husband Bob (Chris O'Donnell) berating her over minor issues and ends with his sudden death, leaving Laura to navigate financial strain, an intolerable son, and an unhelpful, fractious family. Fischer's performance embodies the weariness and an undercurrent of hope against life's unpredictability and relentless hardships.
The film deals adeptly with themes of single parenthood and familial dysfunction, albeit through predictable indie drama tropes. Laura’s journey is compounded by external pressures from her unsupportive mother, domineering sister, and a cynical son who fabricates heroic tales about his father’s death to fit in. Kim Coates stands out as a sleazy lawyer pushing a malpractice lawsuit, while Rob Benedict's portrayal of the empathetic brother-in-law adds subtle dynamism. Michael J. Weithorn’s direction eschews romanticized resolutions, keeping characters restrained and situations realistically harsh. Fischer’s transformation into a rawer, distraught character—from swearing at her son to downing beers—is both believable and compelling. Despite the film's saturated themes and clichéd storytelling, it remains noteworthy for its authentic character portrayals and Fischer's remarkable range.
Total: 55
"A Little Help" features Jenna Fischer in a role demanding more dramatic range compared to her familiar portrayal of Pam Beesly. Unlike her comedic persona, Fischer delves into more somber and nuanced territories, showcasing her versatility as an actress. The film, however, is a quintessential indie drama with all the standard trappings—relatable, yet lacking distinctive elements that set it apart from genre contemporaries. It doesn't break new ground but serves its purpose adequately.
A highlight is undeniably Fischer’s performance, which demonstrates a depth not typically associated with her previous roles. Despite her compelling portrayal, the film itself feels stationary and might not captivate those expecting significant plot movement or originality. The narrative progresses at a steady pace, making it suitable for a quiet afternoon viewing but perhaps not for those seeking an engaging, fast-paced storyline.
In conclusion, "A Little Help" earned its place primarily due to Jenna Fischer’s credible performance. While it's not a must-have Blu-ray for most collections, it is recommended for those interested in seeing a different facet of Fischer’s acting capabilities. If you come across it on television or can secure it at a nominal price, it is worth a watch for its earnest, albeit unremarkable, execution. Fairly fitting for those curious about the darker side of Fischer’s otherwise comedic repertoire.
Blu-ray.com review by Casey BroadwaterRead review here
Video: 70
Throughout, the contrast curve and color grading are flat, and while it never goes to the extent that the image starts to look desaturated, it is noticeable....
Audio: 70
You'll hear some occasional ambience in the rear speakers�bird tweets and other outdoor noises, mostly�but this is kept low and unobtrusive....
Extras: 30
Interviews (1080p, 11:54): A short series of interviews with Jenna Fischer, Chris O'Donnell, Kim Coates, Brooke Smith, Rob Benedict, Ron Leibman, Daniel Yelsky, Jim Florentine, and Michael Weithorn....
Movie: 60
The only one who seems to empathize with Laura is her brother-in-law, Paul (Rob Benedict), who's the last person you'd ever expect to be married to the straight-laced Kathy�he's a shaggy dad who works...
Total: 60
A Little Help gives Jenna Fischer a role that requires more dramatic chops than her gig on The Office, and while this isn't the kind of film I'd tell you to run out and go buy, it's worth watching if you...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 60
Being the low-budget indie movie that it is it doesn't have the greatest visuals in the world, but it does well with what it's been given....
Audio: 60
LFE isn't really needed here, but does chime in every once and while whenever music from the soundtrack calls for it....
Extras: 20
A clip-heavy bunch of promotional EPK-style interviews featuring Fischer, Yelsky, O'Donnell, Kim Coates, Brooke Smith, Ron Liebman, among others....
Movie: 40
We have the unhelpful family members, the sudden death of a spouse, a love that could have been, a child that doesn't fit in, the one family member who provides the wisdom, the one that provides the chaos,...
Total: 40
Fischer's performance is good, showing us a bit of range that we didn't really know she had....
Director: Michael J. Weithorn
Actors: Jenna Fischer, Jay Klaitz, Daniel Yelsky
PlotLaura Pehlke, a Long Island dental hygienist, finds her life unraveling as her marriage crumbles and her husband Bob's sudden death leaves her reeling. Struggling to connect with her adolescent son Dennis, who is increasingly distant and troubled, Laura's attempts to keep her life on track are hindered by her own flaws and insecurities. Her relationship with her overbearing family, including her disapproving mother Joan and her seemingly perfect sister Kathy, adds to her burden. Laura's journey through grief becomes even more complicated when a well-intentioned lie spirals out of control, leading her into a deeper web of deceit and confusion.
As Laura navigates her new reality as a single mother, she grapples with finding her own identity amidst the chaos. Her interactions with those around her, including a budding relationship with her kind-hearted neighbor Paul and the challenges she faces at work, offer both moments of clarity and more setbacks. Laura’s struggle highlights the themes of personal growth and resilience. Her efforts to rebuild her life and the relationships with those she cares about reflect the complexities of modern family dynamics and the search for genuine human connection.
Writers: Michael J. Weithorn
Release Date: 22 Jul 2011
Runtime: 109 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English