Can You Ever Forgive Me? Blu-ray Review

Can You Ever Forgive Me?" is delivered to Blu-ray enthusiasts by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, showcasing an AVC encoded 1080p resolution in a widescreen aspect ratio of 2.40:1. This film employs the Panavision Millennium DXL camera for its cinematography—a device I've learned is capable of capturing raw data at an astounding 8K resolution. However, it appears that the final product was likely finished using a 2K Digital Intermediate, a choice that may raise questions about the utilization of the camera's full potential. Despite this, the detail captured in each frame is notably sharp, providing viewers with a visually engaging experience.

A peculiar yet consistent aspect of this presentation is its dominant yellow color grading, notably prominent in interior scenes. This choice gives the movie a certain mood but can at times obscure the fine details, particularly in dimly lit scenarios such as the bar meeting between Hock and Israel. This effect, while intentional, sometimes leaves one wondering about the artistic decision behind such a vivid hue, aside from the humorously suggested financial struggles towards jaundice treatment.

Overall, the Blu-ray transfer of "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" stands out for its high detail levels and unique color palette that sets a specific tone for the film. Despite the inherent challenges of working with a dominant yellow grading and potentially under-utilized high-resolution footage, the transfer remains free of any noticeable compression artifacts, maintaining the integrity of the viewing experience. The intentional choice of a somewhat drab and untraditional visual presentation aligns with the film's thematic elements, ensuring that it captures attention not through vivid colors but through its compelling narrative and characters.

The audio presentation of "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" on its Blu-ray release is brought to life through a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that encapsulates the essence of its urban settings and intimate narrative moments with precision and clarity. The surround sound activity is most prominent in scenes that immerse the viewer in the bustling city atmosphere, showcasing a well-crafted dimensionality that enhances the film's environmental authenticity. The track particularly shines in sequences where the delineation of ambient sounds, such as in bustling party scenes or the nuanced dynamics of bar conversations between the characters Israel and Hock, offers a layered auditory experience.

Despite the film's focus on dialogue-driven storytelling, the audio track manages to maintain a consistent fidelity that ensures every word is heard clearly without overshadowing the subtle environmental cues that contribute to its immersive quality. This meticulous balance between dialogue clarity and ambient soundscapes underscores the presentation's technical prowess. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, while perhaps not fully exploiting its surround capabilities due to the film's quieter nature, still adeptly supports the narrative's emotional depth and character development through its thoughtful sound design.

Overall, the audio presentation enhances the viewing experience by providing a clean, uninterrupted audio performance that respects the source material's intimate tone. The precise placement of environmental effects, combined with an unwavering clarity of dialogue, showcases a well-engineered track that serves the film's subtle storytelling approach. While it may not offer the bombastic audio spectacle of more action-oriented films, it delivers an auditory experience that is perfectly tailored to the nuanced narrative of "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" ensuring an engaging and authentic auditory journey for the audience.

The extra features on the Blu Ray of "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" are a treasure trove for fans of the film looking to delve deeper into its creation and the true story that inspired it. The Deleted Scenes, complemented by optional commentary from director Marielle Heller, offer insightful glimpses into what could have been. Promotional Featurettes like "Elevator Pitch," "Becoming Lee Israel," "Likely Friends," and "A Literary World" succinctly encapsulate themes, character explorations, and the background setting. Notably, the Audio Commentary by Marielle Heller and Melissa McCarthy stands out as a valuable asset for enthusiasts looking to understand the meticulous craftsmanship behind the movie. Furthermore, the Galleries — featuring Unit Photography and Lee Israel Letter Gallery — allow for a hands-on exploration of behind-the-scenes visuals and Lee Israel’s original letters, enhancing the viewing experience by providing context and texture to the narrative. The theatrical trailer rounds off the extras, setting the tone for what is a deeply narrative-driven, character-focused film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Feature an optional commentary by Marielle Heller.
• Promotional Featurettes: Includes "Elevator Pitch," "Becoming Lee Israel," "Likely Friends," and "A Literary World."
• Audio Commentary by Marielle Heller and Melissa McCarthy
• Galleries: Comprises the Unit Photography Gallery and Lee Israel Letter Gallery, with both Manual and Auto Advance options.
• Theatrical Trailer

Can You Ever Forgive Me?" emerges as an intriguing yet perplexing choice for 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment's Blu-ray catalog, marked by an unexpected promotional strategy or, more accurately, the lack thereof. Despite its critical acclaim and two significant Academy Award nominations for Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant, this film encountered a surprisingly stealthy release on home media. Initially available only on DVD with no Blu-ray in sight, it was a move that caught many, including this reviewer, off guard. The narrative, centered on the life of real-life forger Lee Israel and her accomplice Jack Hock, is richly layered, providing a platform for both McCarthy and Grant to deliver performances that are rightfully celebrated.

Drilling down into the heart of "Can You Ever Forgive Me?", the film captures the desperation and complexity of Israel's existence with a candidness that's as unsettling as it is admirable. Israel's progression from a struggling writer to a skilled forger is depicted with a blend of cynicism and empathy, notably focusing on her relationship with her cat and her foray into criminal endeavors to sustain her precarious lifestyle. It's a study in the dichotomy of human nature, further enriched by Grant's portrayal of Hock, whose flamboyant zest adds both levity and pathos.

The film's handling of its central figures' moral ambiguities is nuanced, refraining from outright glorification or vilification. Instead, it probes the depths of friendship, loneliness, and the drive for recognition—underscored by Israel's complex feelings about her sexuality and her fleeting moments of connection with others. The screenplay adeptly tiptoes around these themes, supported by McCarthy’s somber yet sharply witty performance, making "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" a compelling examination of the human condition through the lens of its flawed but fascinating protagonist.

Can You Ever Forgive Me?" Blu-ray presentation offers a remarkable viewing experience, masterfully encapsulated in a film that delves deep into the psyche of its protagonist, Lee Israel. The film, with its unique blend of humor and introspection, showcases Israel's journey through moral ambiguity and self-discovery. Unlike the remorse one might expect the title to suggest, Israel finds a peculiar satisfaction in her literary forgeries, viewing them as intricate challenges rather than mere acts of deceit. This complex narrative is further enriched by Melissa McCarthy’s outstanding performance, which brings to life Israel's internal struggle with exceptional nuance and depth.

Technically, the Blu-ray does justice to the film's compelling storyline and performances. The visual and audio quality complement the film's overall tonality, ensuring that viewers are fully immersed in the emotional and psychological nuances of the characters' world. The film is not just a narrative about forgeries but an exploration of identity, creativity, and the lengths to which people go to find recognition. Its technical merits are solid, from picture quality to sound design, all of which serve to enhance the storytelling.

In conclusion, "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" on Blu-ray is a must-have for those who appreciate films that seamlessly blend drama with nuanced character studies. McCarthy’s performance is a standout, perfectly supported by the high-quality technical presentation of the Blu-ray. Viewers will find both entertainment and introspection in this beautifully crafted film. It comes highly recommended, underscoring not only the thematic complexity of Israel's life but also the technical excellence of its Blu-ray release.