About Last Night Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "About Last Night" presents a 1080p, 1.85:1-framed transfer that leaves much to be desired in terms of visual fidelity. The film consistently appears soft, trading fine detail for a somewhat vibrant but often flat depiction. While colors occasionally show a commendable vibrancy, particularly in reds and greens during sequences like the bookend softball scenes, the transfer suffers from an ever-present grain that detracts from the clarity and depth of the image. This grain, along with weak contrast, gives the film a one-dimensional feel, with textures and details often obscured.

Flesh tones and blacks appear adequate but fail to match the depth of higher quality transfers. Minor blocking and banding are noticeable in several shots, further undermining the overall quality. Despite Sony's track record of delivering high-quality video transfers for catalogue titles such as "Starman", "St. Elmo's Fire", and "Blue Thunder", "About Last Night" seems to have received less attention. The urban settings often result in a muted palette, though certain clothing patterns do intermittently enliven the visuals. Unfortunately, low-lit scenes exhibit some noise, underscoring the inconsistency of the transfer.

In summary, while the colors do occasionally shine and lend some energy to the overall soft and drab look of this 1980s comedy-drama, the Blu-ray transfer for "About Last Night" underwhelms with its lack of definition and depth. Though watchable, this release falls short of the standards set by Sony’s other high-definition transfers.

The audio presentation of "About Last Night..." on Blu-ray utilizes a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Regrettably, the track's performance tends to fall flat due to its simplicity and unvarying dynamics. Fundamentally, the movie’s sound design prioritizes dialogue, which, fortunately, remains consistently clear and discernible. However, the film's reliance on ambient effects is minimal, with bar scenes failing to immerse the audience as they predominantly play off to the front sides. The constant ’80s music montages achieve fair clarity and volume, contributing a nostalgic vibe, yet do not significantly enhance the overall auditory experience.

One aspect worth noting is the presence of wild volume fluctuations complicating the listening experience. Viewers may find themselves frequently adjusting the volume to compensate for sudden loud bursts from the soundtrack's ’80s tunes, which, although marvelously precise and resonant, disrupt the balance and cohesion of the audio mix. These music segments become overpowering compared to the otherwise balanced dialogue and mild ambient effects. The audio track does benefit from decent stereo separation that enlivens particular scenes – such as encompassing train rumbles and softball games – though they fail to extend into the rear channels, limiting the surround sound impact.

Ultimately, while there are no significant distortions or defects, "About Last Night..."'s audio deliverable remains basic at best. It leans heavily on its era-specific music tracks to inject some energy into the mix; yet this is offset by its lack of depth and immersive qualities necessary for a compelling 5.1 surround sound experience. Listeners seeking a dynamic audio performance will need to manage their expectations and keep their remotes handy.

The Blu Ray release of "About Last Night" provides a limited but noteworthy collection of extras that add value for fans and newcomers alike. The highlight is "Ed Zwick and Rob Lowe in Conversation," a 42-minute, high-definition retrospective that delves into casting choices, on-set anecdotes, and the film’s impact on 1980s culture. The relaxed, unscripted dialogue between the director and star offers intelligent insights and amusing remembrances, making it a must-watch. In contrast, the "Original Making-Of Featurette" is a brief, standard-definition glimpse that captures the film’s essence via cast and crew comments, but lacks depth. Additionally, several unrelated theatrical trailers are included.

Extras included in this disc:

• Ed Zwick and Rob Lowe in Conversation: An extended discussion reflecting on the film's production and its cultural impact.
• Original Making-Of Featurette: A short, vintage look at the making of the film with cast and crew insights.
• Theatrical Trailers: Previews for various unrelated films.

"About Last Night" is a film steeped in the 1980s singles culture, encapsulating the era’s fervent bar-hopping, shallow mate-shopping, and carefree attitudes. Based on David Mamet’s play "Sexual Perversity in Chicago," directed by Edward Zwick, and starring Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, James Belushi, and Elizabeth Perkins, the film oscillates between romantic comedy and raunchy drama. The narrative follows the relationship of Dan (Lowe) and Debbie (Moore), juxtaposed against the backdrop of their disapproving friends, Bernie (Belushi) and Joan (Perkins). This work intends to provide an unvarnished, albeit somewhat vulgar, look at love and friendship.

Despite its ambitious attempt to illustrate the complexities of modern relationships, "About Last Night" is hindered by its disconnected character ensemble and overreliance on montages. Belushi's boisterous performance remains a standout amidst otherwise dull character portrayals, as he injects vital energy into the film. However, the frequent use of montages adds unnecessary minutes to an already prolonged runtime without contributing meaningful content. Zwick’s direction remains standard; the film falls short of creating any compelling visual moments or emotional depth.

Viewed today, "About Last Night" feels more like an '80s period piece rather than a timeless exploration of relationships. Its rapid-fire dialogue, while characteristic of Mamet, often feels forced and clumsy, particularly through the performances of Lowe and Moore. The film's soundtrack further entrenches it in its era, now sounding more nostalgic than relevant. Although providing a snapshot of '80s culture and dating challenges, this rom-com has lost much of its contemporary appeal, leaving it somewhat dated and lacking in resonance for modern viewers. Overall, its earnest effort to capture youthful exuberance and relational nuances is overshadowed by its weaknesses, resulting in a middling cinematic experience.

The Blu-ray release of "About Last Night" provides a mixed experience, representative of the film's transition from the '80s to today's high-definition expectations. The film serves as an early showcase for Director Edward Zwick, whose subsequent works like "Glory" have earned critical acclaim. However, "About Last Night" lacks the same compelling visual artistry or auditory impact. The video transfer appears soft and somewhat unrefined by modern standards. Moreover, the lossless audio track, although competent, does not stand out in any significant way, rendering the overall sensory experience rather lackluster.

While the nostalgic charm of the performances and humor can still resonate with viewers, the technical limitations of this release might leave contemporary audiences underwhelmed. The Blu-ray includes only a couple of noteworthy special features, which do little to enhance its value beyond a casual rental. The film’s storyline and character dynamics, once captivating in their original context, struggle to maintain the same level of engagement amidst today's diverse cinematic landscape.

Conclusion

About Last Montage..., er, About Last Night...'s claim to fame comes from the fact that it served as something of a springboard for Director Edward Zwick's wonderful directorial career. His followup, Glory, ranks, subjectively speaking, as one of the greatest films of all time, and his major efforts thereafter remain well-above-average to great outings. Unfortunately, fans of About Last Night... hoping for a Blu-ray release that commands attention and a place in the library may be disappointed with the results. About Last Night... sports a flat and completely uninteresting visual style, a fair but underwhelming lossless soundtrack, and only a couple of extras of note. Worth a rental for the nostalgia.