Blue Is the Warmest Colour Blu-ray Review

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.38:1 and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, "Blue Is the Warmest Color" receives a well-handled 1080p transfer courtesy of Criterion. Shot digitally using a Canon C300 and with Angenieux zoom lenses, the movie benefits from a fully digital workflow, finalized in Rec. 709 high-definition color space. This impeccable process results in excellent image stability, depth, and clarity. The expertly executed color correction supervised by Elie Akioka and Marc Boucrot ensures rich, solid, and natural color reproduction throughout, while the contrast levels remain stable from start to finish. Notably, there are no visible transfer-specific anomalies like banding or aliasing, giving the film a clean and polished appearance on screen.

The presentation excels in both close-ups and panoramic shots, delivering exceptional detail and depth. Night scenes, often challenging due to digital capture limitations, are rendered with surprisingly good clarity and minimal crushing. This Blu-ray edition captures the movie’s cinematic essence without looking overly flat—an achievement particularly admirable for a low-budget digital production. The muted color palette and soft clarity align perfectly with the film’s intended aesthetics, producing striking visuals that elevate the storytelling. Criterion's release showcases a near-perfect transfer, maintaining the original vision approved by director Abdellatif Kechiche.

Overall, "Blue Is the Warmest Color" in high definition on Blu-ray stands out as an impressive visual experience that retains the beauty of its original digital capture. Whether capturing the nuanced expressions of intimate close-ups or the vivid ambiance of French exteriors, this release demonstrates Criterion's commitment to quality and detail in preserving contemporary cinematic works. Film enthusiasts will appreciate this edition for its pristine presentation and cinematic integrity.

The Blu-ray release of "Blue Is the Warmest Colour" comes equipped with a French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, and the Criterion Collection includes optional English subtitles, neatly placed within the image frame. The film predominantly utilizes dialogue-driven audio, making it heavily front-channel focused. However, this distribution ensures that the dialogue remains crystal clear and easy to follow throughout. Despite the sparing use of background music, the audio presentation maintains excellent dynamic range and depth.

In specific sequences, such as club scenes or city walks, the surround channels are activated to build an immersive soundscape. Subtle ambient noises like light traffic, chirping birds, and bustling crowds effectively utilize the rear channels, enhancing the overall auditory experience without overshadowing the central dialogue. Directionality is commendably handled, providing precise placement of sounds across the soundstage. Overall, this DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track offers a well-balanced mix that enhances the narrative's intimate moments while delivering nuanced environmental sounds when necessary.

The Blu-ray release of "Blue Is the Warmest Colour" by Criterion is a minimalistic package with limited extras that fail to capitalize on the film's critical acclaim. The disc's supplemental content comprises only essential promotional materials, underscoring this edition as a placeholder pending a more comprehensive future release. Despite Criterion's reputation for extensive and detailed extras, this current offering is sparse, which is disappointing for collectors and cinephiles who expect more from the brand.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Original Sundance Selects trailer for "Blue Is the Warmest Color." Music only, with English text.
• TV Spot: Original TV spot for "Blue Is the Warmest Color." In English, not subtitled.
• Booklet: Illustrated booklet featuring an essay by critic B. Ruby Rich.

"Blue Is the Warmest Color," directed by Abdellatif Kechiche, is an evocative exploration of an intense relationship between two young women, spanning 179 minutes. Loosely inspired by Pierre de Marivaux's novel "La Vie de Marianne" and adapted from Julie March's graphic novel "Blue Angel," the film captures the complex journey from youthful infatuation to poignant heartbreak. Shot digitally, the film boasts sharp, clean visuals with vibrant colors that stand out particularly in the close-up sequences—a stylistic hallmark of Kechiche. The narrative structure is episodic, featuring time gaps that thrust viewers into subsequent stages of the protagonists' evolving relationship, enhancing the authenticity of their experience.

The story centers on Adele (Adele Exarchopoulos), a 15-year-old high-school student from a conservative middle-class family, and Emma (Lea Seydoux), an older art student with distinctive blue hair. Their fateful meeting at a gay bar evolves into a passionate and tumultuous love affair. Kechiche's direction is notable for its raw intensity; this is most evident in the film's controversial sex scenes, which have sparked debates regarding their explicit nature and duration. These scenes, however, are integral to the narrative, illustrating the visceral connection between love and physical intimacy. The performances are lauded for their authenticity, with Exarchopoulos particularly praised for her seamless portrayal of Adele's transition from a confused teenager to a mature woman.

Despite its length and intense emotional shifts, "Blue Is the Warmest Color" remains deeply engaging. It captures the essence of human relationships with an unfiltered and real perspective, much like contemporary documentaries. The film won the prestigious Palme d'Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, an accolade shared with its lead actresses—a testament to the film's powerful narrative and compelling performances. Criterion presents this film with superior digital quality, ensuring that every intricate detail is vividly brought to life on screen.

"Blue Is the Warmest Color" is a remarkably bold and visually compelling film that traverses the intricate dimensions of lust, love, and heartache with commendable finesse. Its narrative journey, spread over three hours, engages viewers so thoroughly that the passage of time feels almost non-existent. The film has risen above controversy to offer an intimate glance into the lives of two women and their profound connection. The Criterion Blu Ray release exceptionally captures the film's visual and auditory nuances, delivering a rich viewing experience with pristine clarity.

Criterion’s technical presentation lives up to its high standards, providing immaculate video and audio quality. Such precise craftsmanship ensures that every emotional nuance and subtle detail is preserved, enhancing the overall impact of the film. However, the release falls short in terms of supplementary content, lacking special features which are often a hallmark of Criterion collections. This oversight suggests a somewhat hasty effort to capitalize on the film’s immediate acclaim.

In conclusion, "Blue Is the Warmest Color" is an audacious and heartfelt film that deserves all the accolades it has garnered. Criterion’s current technical offering, while spectacular in quality, is limited by its absence of additional features. It is essential viewing for those who appreciate profound cinematic experiences, highly recommended for its sheer artistic merit. For collectors and completists, waiting for a more comprehensive release might prove worthwhile.