Smooth Talk Blu-ray Review

Criterion's Blu-ray presentation of "Smooth Talk," meticulously captured in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC for a 1080p transfer, significantly enhances the visual experience of this classic film. Utilizing a 16-bit 4K resolution created on a Lasergraphics Director film scanner from the 35mm original camera negative, the restoration process is exemplary. Dirt, debris, and scratches were manually removed by MTI Film's DRS system, while Digital Vision's Phoenix technology addressed jitter, flicker, and grain management. The results are stunning—excellent color grading and impeccable detail showcase the power of this transfer.

This new digital master, supervised by Joyce Chopra and color-graded by Lee Kline/Criterion Post in New York, reveals remarkable cinematic beauty, with each scene capturing exquisite nuances of natural light. The warm indoor sequences, where daylight subtly infiltrates, are particularly striking due to the gentle contrasts created. Expect captivating tonal shifts in grain exposure, reflecting the film's use of natural lighting. Outdoor scenes dazzled with vivid colors—wardrobes and set pieces are displayed with rich saturation. Faces reveal intricate details such as individual hairs and freckles, while the deep blacks and natural skin tones contribute to an almost dreamlike portrayal of summer afternoons in California.

Overall, the video quality of "Smooth Talk" on this Blu-ray release is outstanding. With no visible digital artifacts, such as aliasing or banding, and flawless stability throughout, Criterion offers a pristine viewing experience. This is undoubtedly the definitive version of the film since its 1985 debut. Note: This is a Region-A locked release and requires a compatible Blu-ray player to view.

The Blu-ray release of "Smooth Talk" features a standard audio track presented in English LPCM Mono (48kHz, 24-bit). The monaural soundtrack, remastered from the original 35mm dialogue, music, and effects track, delivers a clean and remarkably clear audio experience. Despite being a dialogue-driven film with minimal bombastic elements, such as explosions or rapid gunfire, the LPCM Mono mix maintains a soft yet articulate sound profile that suits the film's intimate scenes perfectly. Notable moments include James Taylor's music direction, which achieves some poignant high notes during key scenes without becoming overwhelmingly loud.

In terms of atmospheric soundscapes, the audio track excels in providing authentic environmental sounds. Scenes set in the mall or diner, for example, feature well-balanced and smooth sound transitions, contributing to a realistic ambiance. However, it should be noted that all sound remains anchored on the front speaker due to the mono mix. Furthermore, the presence of organic sounds throughout the film significantly supports the intended atmosphere, with no stability or conventional age-related issues evident. Ultimately, while the soundtrack lacks dynamic range typical of modern films, it remains an exceptional mix with immaculate dialogue clarity and accuracy.

The extras on the Blu-ray release of "Smooth Talk" provide an extensive and rich selection of supplemental material that will certainly appeal to fans of the film and aficionados of in-depth cinematic exploration. The disc includes a combination of new and vintage interviews with director Joyce Chopra, delving deep into her career and the thematic depth of her work. Notably, two Q&A sessions feature insightful discussions with Laura Dern, writer Joyce Carol Oates, and other cast members, elucidating the intricate themes and character dynamics central to the film. Additionally, the supplementary content is bolstered by three of Chopra's short films, illuminating her evolution as a filmmaker. A particularly intriguing inclusion is an audio article by Don Moser, which details the real-life events inspiring Oates’s story. A comprehensive 46-page booklet rounds out the package, offering critical essays and original texts that provide further context to both the film and its source material.

Extras included in this disc:

• Vintage trailer: Original promotional material.
• Re-release trailer: Trailer for the 4K restoration of the film.
• Joyce Chopra Interview One: Discussion on Chopra's entry into filmmaking.
• Joyce Chopra Interview Two: Archival audio interview on the film's conception.
• The Women of Smooth Talk: Q&A session with Joyce Chopra, Laura Dern, and Joyce Carol Oates.
• Joyce Chopra, Mary Kay Place, and Treat Williams: Q&A session on power dynamics in the film.
• Short Films:
  • Joyce at 34
  • Girls at 12
  • Clorae and Albie
• Production Design with David Wasco: Insights from the production designer.
• The Pied Piper of Tucson: Audio article detailing real-life inspirations.
• Criterion Booklet: Includes essays, articles, and the original short story.

Joyce Chopra’s Smooth Talk (1985) has been meticulously restored and presented on Blu-ray by Criterion, showcasing a technically solid transfer while preserving the film's compelling and nuanced narrative. The theatrical release transformed due to its exceptional exploration of teenage flirtations and the overarching theme of parental disconnection. Set in a 1980s small Northern Californian town, the film follows fifteen-year-old Connie, played masterfully by a young Laura Dern. Chopra captures the essence of adolescence—Connie’s brazen yet naive attempts at seduction serve as a defense against a seemingly indifferent parental guidance system. Much of the narrative resides in casual, almost euphoric sequences that depict teenage life with an authentic lens.

The pivotal shift comes with the introduction of Arnold Friend, a nefarious character played by Treat Williams. His interactions with Connie mark not only a genre change but also a significant psychological and emotional turmoil rather than explicit horror or thriller tropes. Through Williams, Arnold’s deceptive, manipulative nature emerges, threatening Connie’s innocence as he coerces her under a sun-soaked, seemingly innocent summer backdrop. The real drama unfolds quietly in moments of family tension—Connie’s mother’s venomous indifference and her father’s escapism highlight the consequential erosion of familial trust.

Smooth Talk is far more than a coming-of-age story; it delves deeply into the acute consequences of bad parenting and teenage vulnerability. It stands as a critical reflection on how seemingly minor parental failings can compound into significant emotional damage. Chopra's direction ensures that every frame serves the narrative’s broader thematic concerns, avoiding sensationalist pitfalls to present a subtle yet profound exploration of youthful innocence lost to predatory manipulation and familial neglect.

Smooth Talk's latest Blu-ray release by Criterion is a nuanced and thought-provoking examination of adolescent vulnerability and predatory behavior, grounded in a narrative inspired by a real-life story from Life magazine. Laura Dern delivers a compelling performance, capturing the complexity of a young girl navigating the treacherous waters of teenage rebellion. Director Joyce Chopra’s masterful storytelling unearths a palpable sense of dread without resorting to conventional horror tropes, letting the psychological tension build naturally.

The technical merits of this Criterion release are impressive, highlighted by an outstanding 4K master that brings the film’s visual subtleties into sharp focus. The video quality is exceptional, with enhanced clarity and detail that elevate the viewing experience significantly. The audio presentation is equally commendable, offering a rich and immersive soundscape that complements the film's atmospheric intensity. A robust selection of both new and archival bonus features provide valuable insights into the film’s production and thematic underpinnings, making this release even more compelling for collectors and cinephiles alike.

Absolutely everything that happens in Smooth Talk makes perfect sense because the catalyst behind it is bad parenting. The film is loosely based on a short story that was inspired by an article from Life magazine about an unusually nasty yet surprisingly popular character that roamed the streets of Tucson during the 1960s, but as odd it as may sound it actually functions as a cinematic textbook with a whole bunch of interesting quizzes. Even if you get one of them right it is enough to figure out exactly where the film is heading, and why. Criterion's release is sourced from an excellent new 4K master. RECOMMENDED.

Smooth Talk is a fantastic film that plays it one way but is something much deeper and scarier below its surface. Laura Dern is the perfect actress and Chopra is an amazing filmmaker who showcases true horror without going down the normal and usual terror trope. With brand new, remarkable video and audio presentations and a wealth of new and old bonus features, this Criterion release is something special. MUST-OWN!