Muriel Blu-ray Review

"Muriel, or The Time of Return" is presented in a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition format, respecting the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.66:1 widescreen. This outstanding transfer is derived from a meticulous 4K restoration of the 35mm original camera negative, carried out with an ARRISCAN film scanner. Criterion has once again proven their mastery, delivering a visual experience that captures the film's intended aesthetic with unparalleled authenticity.

The restoration boasts an impeccable image quality free from print damage, scratches, or any detrimental anomalies. Not a trace of Digital Noise Reduction (DNR) is present, ensuring a natural filmic look preserved by a fine layer of grain throughout. The color reproduction is exemplary, rich and vivid without tipping into artificiality. The encode quality further supports this excellence, presenting the film devoid of any compression artifacts, ensuring the integrity of every frame. This transfer will undoubtedly satisfy even the most discerning cinephiles.

While the print remains in top condition with a pleasing filmic texture, certain brief scenes appear to derive from lower quality sources but do not detract significantly from the overall experience. Fine textures are rendered with impressive clarity—details such as Alphonse's coat patterns and Helene’s graying hair are particularly well-defined. The color palette leans towards a warm, rustic aesthetic with balanced whites and slightly elevated black levels. This attentive restoration and transfer uphold the film's unique visual style, offering an authentic representation that honors the original work's nuance and artistry.

The audio presentation of "Muriel, or The Time of Return" boasts a 24-bit high-resolution uncompressed PCM mono track, enhancing the fidelity and overall listening experience. Utilizing the 35mm audio soundtrack negative, Criterion masterfully restored the audio, resulting in dialogue that is clear and easy to comprehend throughout the film. This high-fidelity encode delivers a significant clarity boost, making natural outdoor sounds, music, and ambient noises resonate with exceptional precision. The meticulous restoration efforts ensure that there are no audible distractions, maintaining an immersive and engaging auditory experience.

The inclusion of a French LPCM Mono track with optional English subtitles allows for a versatile viewing experience. While the overall mix might seem slightly softer compared to other releases, requiring minor volume adjustments, the balance and purity of the track remain impeccable. Unconventional sound design choices are apparent, where director Alain Resnais emphasizes specific sound effects in particular scenes to enhance the narrative and create mood contrasts. The effective use of pre-lapped and post-lapped audio provides seamless transitions between scenes, while dramatic music cues and operatic arias present solid range and dynamic fidelity. The score, characterized by its atypical rhythm, complements the film's fragmented editing style admirably. Though some high frequencies may occasionally sound strained, this artistically designed and technically proficient mono track stands out for its time period.

The Blu-ray extras for "Muriel" by Criterion offer a comprehensive and insightful look into the film's production and its context in Alain Resnais' oeuvre. With engaging interviews, detailed discussions from key collaborators, and critical analysis from a film scholar, these supplements enhance the viewer's understanding and appreciation of the movie. Each feature is thoughtfully presented, providing valuable information on the filmmaking process, the score, the cast's experiences, and the film's thematic intricacies. The inclusion of subtitles ensures accessibility for all viewers. These extras are indispensable for cinephiles looking to delve deeper into Resnais' unique cinematic approaches, making this Blu-ray a worthy addition to any collection.

Extras included in this disc:

Une Approche D'Alain Resnais, Revolutionnaire Discret: Excerpt from a documentary featuring Jean Cayrol discussing Resnais' filmmaking style.

L'invite du dimanche: Interview with actress Delphine Seyrig discussing her role in "Muriel" and her work with Resnais.

Discorama: Interview with composer Hans Werner Henze discussing the film's score and his transition from opera to film scoring.

Francois Thomas: In-depth interview with film historian Francois Thomas analyzing the film's production and its significance.

Trailer: The film's original trailer.

Alain Resnais' third film, "Muriel, or The Time of Return," exemplifies the director's experimental style, delivering a uniquely fragmented narrative that reflects on time and memory. This film delves into the intertwined lives of Hélène (Delphine Seyrig), her former lover Alphonse (Jean-Pierre Kérien), and her stepson Bernard (Jean-Baptiste Thierrée). The seemingly mundane yet complex scenarios explored through the lens of daily life serve as a platform for examining deeper psychological turmoils and haunted pasts. Notably, Bernard's traumatic experiences from the Algerian War cast a lingering shadow over the narrative.

The technical execution of "Muriel" is arresting and complex. Sacha Vierny's radiant cinematography and Jacques Saulnier's intricate production design craft visually engaging sequences that mirror the film's thematic density. The editing by Kenout Peltier and Eric Pluet further accentuates this by employing roughly 1,000 shots, creating a jarring collage of moments that enhance the film's fragmented structure. This high shot count, while innovative, can disrupt the viewer’s sense of narrative continuity, underscoring Resnais' deliberate manipulation of time and space.

Alain Resnais' experimental techniques extend to disruptions in space and audio, employing jarring cuts and mismatched angles to create a disorienting viewer experience. Instances of pre-lapped and post-lapped sound blur the line between scenes, enhancing the film’s abstract narrative representation. Hans Werner Henze’s operatic score complements this approach with dramatic cues that imbue even mundane events with emotional weight. While the film's nonlinear progression and deliberate disjointedness may frustrate some viewers, its meticulous construction makes it a memorable exploration of memory and trauma. "Muriel" is an engaging, albeit challenging, entry in Resnais' oeuvre that encapsulates his fascination with the ineffable links between past and present.

The Criterion Collection's Blu-ray release of Alain Resnais' "Muriel, or The Time of Return" is a meticulously crafted presentation that highlights the director's innovative examination of time and memory through a fragmented narrative structure. The film's beautifully composed glacial pacing and rapid editing style create a complex viewing experience that may be maddeningly difficult for some, yet rewarding for those who appreciate Resnais' unique cinematic vision. The intentional disjointedness of the storytelling and loose narrative form are central to the film’s exploration but equally contribute to its potential to feel incoherent and inessential to some viewers.

Technically, the Blu-ray release excels with a pristine 4K restoration derived from the original camera negative, ensuring that every visual element is rendered with exceptional clarity. Accompanied by a superb mono soundtrack, the auditory experience complements the visual fidelity perfectly. While the included supplements aren’t extensive, they provide meaningful insights, especially through engaging interviews and in-depth analysis that help contextualize and enrich the film’s challenging themes and production history.

In conclusion, there is nothing easy about "Muriel, or The Time of Return." Though undeniably the work of an auteur filmmaker, its glacial pacing, fast-paced editing, and loose narrative can be frustratingly incoherent and inessential. Despite these narrative shortcomings, Criterion's Blu-ray release impresses with its exceptional restoration and scholarly extras, making it a high-quality package. Criterion's commitment to film preservation and discussion is once again evident, and while the film itself may not resonate with all viewers, this release certainly stands as a testament to their dedication. Fans of the film will find much to appreciate here, even if the cinematic experience itself is a polarizing one.