Live by Night Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Live by Night" showcases an exceptional 2.40:1 1080p transfer, demonstrating the combined strength of digital clarity and period-evocative cinematography. Captured by esteemed cinematographer Robert Richardson using the Alexa 65 with Panavision Vintage 65 anamorphic lenses, and sourced from a 4K digital intermediate, the film displays impeccable detail levels. Viewers can appreciate meticulous period costumes, decor, and even subtle makeup effects with striking precision. The color palette vividly distinguishes between the somber blues of Boston and the warmer hues of Florida, maintaining natural and healthy flesh tones throughout. Black levels are deep and inky, essential for the film's noirish aesthetic, without sacrificing texture and detail.

Technically, the Blu-ray excels with a high average bitrate of 24.99 Mbps and the MPEG-4 AVC encoding ensures the image is free of artifacts, allowing for a true-to-life presentation. The 3-dimensional depth is notable, providing a sense of immersion particularly evident during action sequences like car chases. The clarity remains outstanding across various lighting conditions, enabling a 'you are there' vividness that brings historical scenes to life distinctly. The use of a gold filter accentuates the period feel without overwhelming the naturalistic look of the film. Overall, this disc's visual presentation could only be surpassed by a potential 4K UHD release, setting a standard for high-quality Blu-ray transfers.

The audio presentation of "Live by Night" on Blu-ray offers a commendable array of options with its Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD MA 5.1 tracks. The Dolby Atmos track, which includes a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 core, distinctly captures both the urban ambiance of Boston and the expansive environments of Florida, enhancing the immersive experience across various settings. Notable set pieces such as the bank robbery car chase and the climactic shootout are exemplarily supported by a dynamic spread of sound effects such as antique machinery, gunfire, and shell casings, capitalizing on the format’s ability to deliver discrete effects throughout the listening space.

Dialogue clarity is consistently top-notch, ensuring characters’ voices are crisp and well-prioritized. This precision remains unwavering even during quieter conversational scenes, maintaining an immersive atmosphere across all channels. The score by Henry Gregson-Williams seamlessly transitions among action, romance, and thriller elements without overshadowing other audio components. Additionally, the height channels provide subtle ambient effects and dynamic bullet trajectories that enhance spatial realism.

The low-frequency extension is particularly robust, adding depth to tommy gunfire, car crashes, and physical impacts, delivering a visceral experience with a very active subwoofer presence. Surround sound presentation ensures that every auditory element of the movie is fully realized, from bullets whizzing by to vehicles roaring past, maintaining impressive volume placement and spatial accuracy. While the DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix is solid and provides a strong listening experience, it ultimately falls short compared to the enveloping and aggressive nature of the Dolby Atmos track. For those with an Atmos setup, it's clear that this option unleashes the full potential of the film’s audio landscape.

The Blu-ray extras for "Live by Night" offer a robust insight into the film's production processes, marked by commendable depth in technical discussions. The commentary track, led by Ben Affleck with Robert Richardson and Jess Gonchor, is particularly notable for its technical focus and informal conversational tone, providing transparent reflections on the film's production challenges and decisions made during editing. Meanwhile, featurettes like "Angels with Dirty Faces" and "The Men of Live by Night" delve into the characterization efforts by both female and male actors, albeit briefly. Dennis Lehane's take on adapting his novel for screen and crafting engrossing scenes in "Live by Night's Prolific Author" offers an engaging viewpoint. The creative endeavors behind the film’s car chase sequences are explored in "In Close-Up: Creating a Classic Car Chase," detailing its meticulous design. The Deleted Scenes, supplemented by Affleck’s commentary, provide insight into narrative choices and omitted content.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Director Ben Affleck, Director of Photography Robert Richardson and Production Designer Jess Gonchor: An engaging, conversational overview with technical insights on production.

• Angels with Dirty Faces: The Women of Live by Night: Discusses the thematic relevance of female characters in revealing different facets of Joe Coughlin.

• The Men of Live by Night: Interviews with male actors discussing their roles and the film’s representation of the 1920s era.

• Live by Night's Prolific Author: Dennis Lehane discusses his creative process and the adaptation of his novel.

• In Close-Up: Creating a Classic Car Chase: Detailed look at designing one of the most thrilling sequences in the film.

• Deleted Scenes (w/Optional Commentary): Includes scenes cut from the final edit with commentary explaining their removal.

  • ALT Meeting Emma Opening
  • Shoelace Tim Hickey / Last Termite
  • Joe and Danny Reunite
  • Joe and Esteban talk about Graciela's husband
  • Joe and Graciela walk through Tent City

Ben Affleck's "Live by Night" aims to deliver an epic Prohibition-era gangster saga, but struggles to maintain dramatic tension and narrative cohesion. Affleck, who directs, writes, produces, and stars in the film, adapts Dennis Lehane’s novel into a story of Joe Coughlin, a disillusioned WWI vet turned outlaw who navigates the treacherous worlds of Boston and Florida's criminal underworlds. Despite its potential and Affleck’s multi-faceted involvement, the film feels like a series of disconnected vignettes rather than a cohesive story. The sprawling narrative spanning over a decade is visually captivating, particularly in its meticulous re-creation of historic locales like Ybor City, and features impressive cinematography and action sequences, with a notable car chase and intense shootouts.

However, the film falls short due to Affleck's portrayal of the central character. Joe Coughlin is depicted as surprisingly flat and emotionless, limiting audience engagement. Affleck's performance lacks the introspective depth to convincingly convey Coughlin’s internalized conflicts and cunning strategies. Supporting characters (especially those played by Chris Cooper and Chris Messina) bring moments of dynamism, but fail to elevate the protagonist or the central plot sufficiently. The subplots involving Elle Fanning’s troubled revivalist and the KKK feel unnecessarily bloated, diverting focus from the primary narrative without contributing meaningfully to character development or thematic richness.

Overall, while "Live by Night" is aesthetically grand and technically proficient in its presentation, it lacks substantive depth. The film skims over rich historical contexts and complex character psyches, resulting in a visually stunning yet emotionally uninvolving experience that falls short of epic crime drama benchmarks established by other genre masters. Affleck’s overextension as the creative force behind the film seems to have diluted its potential impact, making it more a cinematic curiosity than a compelling gangster epic.

"Live by Night" on Blu-ray is a visually striking release that showcases top-tier video and audio presentation. Despite the cancellation of a planned 4K release, this Blu-ray stands out with impressive picture quality that captures the film's aesthetic beautifully. Warner Brothers has delivered a near-reference-quality disc that demonstrates their commitment to high standards in their home media offerings. The inclusion of a variety of bonus features further enriches the package, providing additional content for fans and casual viewers alike.

However, despite the technical brilliance of the Blu-ray, "Live by Night" as a film falls short of expectations. The movie boasts a talented cast and crew and was positioned as a follow-up to Ben Affleck's successful "Argo." Unfortunately, Affleck seems more adept behind the camera than in front of it in this project, resulting in a film that feels lackluster and fails to fully capitalize on its potential. The narrative lacks the gripping momentum expected from such an ensemble, leading to a somewhat underwhelming viewing experience.

In conclusion, "Live by Night" is a mixed bag. While the film itself may not deliver a compelling story or memorable performances, the Blu-ray release is technically superb, making it a worthwhile consideration for audiovisual enthusiasts. For those who prioritize content quality over cinematic experience, this release may still hold value. However, for many, a rental may be the best way to appreciate its technical merits without committing to a purchase.