Someone to Watch Over Me Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Someone to Watch Over Me" is impressively executed, offering a remarkable visual experience that belies its low-budget 80s origins. Licensed by Sony and presented by Shout Select, this MPEG-4 AVC-encoded BD-50 features a transfer that appears to be a recent high-resolution master, likely around 2K quality. The film is presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio and showcases fantastic detail levels, which are particularly evident in the busy party scenes and stylish New York City nightscapes. The presence of grain is organic and finely rendered, contributing to a classic filmic texture without becoming intrusive. Facial features, 80s clothing, and set decorations are rendered with great clarity and precision. The average video bitrate remains robust at 35,000 kbps, ensuring a visually consistent experience.

Ridley Scott's trademark chiaroscuro lighting and use of smoke and fog contribute significantly to the film's atmosphere. The black levels are strong, with appreciable inky depths that hold onto detail and outlining well. Though there are moments where the blacks can appear slightly hazy or flat, these instances do not detract significantly from the overall quality. The colors, while mostly natural, do pop in certain stylized lighting choices and fashion elements, enhancing the visual character of the film. The backdrops, especially the nighttime exteriors, display stunning clarity and liquid-like sharpness. Skin tones remain natural and consistent throughout, with impressive facial details that enhance the viewing experience.

In summary, the Blu-ray transfer of "Someone to Watch Over Me" provides a pristine visual experience marked by excellent detail, solid contrast, and effectively maintained film grain. The depth of field and motion handling are above average, ensuring a cinematic quality that elevates the material beyond its basic narrative structure. This release should satisfy both dedicated fans and new viewers alike with its high-quality presentation.

The audio presentation of "Someone to Watch Over Me" is a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo mix that faithfully represents the original 1987 stereo source. The track maintains clean and clear dialogue throughout, although it requires frequent adjustments in volume to balance the dialogue against the richly layered score by Michael Kamen. The mix occasionally feels uneven, with the score sometimes overpowering the dialogue, leading to moments where viewers might find the music compelling but struggle to catch the nuances of the characters' speech. This does not detract entirely from the experience but reflects a characteristic inconsistency inherent in the original recording.

The dynamic range of this stereo mix provides a natural atmosphere with effectively immersive sound effects. Gunshots exhibit an exaggerated booming quality and glass-crashing sounds deliver solid low-frequency extension which add pleasing depth. The musical score and various inserted pieces, including Sting’s rendition of the Gershwins' title theme "Someone to Watch Over Me," play well, without distortion or hiss. While this audio track excels in certain dramatic moments, it remains a tad subdued overall, particularly in scenes where one would expect a fuller auditory impact. Optional English SDH subtitles are a welcomed addition for clarity.

Overall, "Someone to Watch Over Me" offers a solid and faithful rendition of its original audio. The mix is sufficiently immersive for a conventional 2.0 stereo track, though viewers may find themselves wishing for a higher degree of consistency or even a potential 5.1 remix to better balance dialogue and musical interludes. However, it meets the needs of presenting a classic title in a manner that honors its original production aesthetics.

The extras included in the Blu Ray of "Someone to Watch Over Me" offer insightful perspectives on the film's creation from key figures. The interviews with Writer Howard Franklin and Director of Photography Steven Poster provide detailed accounts of the screenplay development and cinematographic techniques. Franklin elaborates on his working relationship with Ridley Scott and addresses the cultural context within which the film was created, although some noted discrepancies in his recollection of critical reviews that supposedly mentioned AIDS. Poster, on the other hand, delves deeply into lighting schemes, atmospheric conditions, and reveals fascinating behind-the-scenes production details such as the ingenious use of painted sets to create Mimi Rogers’ character’s apartment. While the extras collection may not be exhaustive, it compensates with substantial, informative content that enriches the viewer’s understanding of the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• NEW Interview with Writer Howard Franklin: Detailed changes between the script and final film and cultural awareness insights.
• NEW Interview with Director of Photography Steven Poster: In-depth discussion on lighting, atmospheric conditions, and clever production tricks.

Ridley Scott’s "Someone to Watch Over Me" signifies a departure from his earlier sci-fi and fantasy endeavors, embracing a detective thriller married with romantic drama. This film holds up well due to Scott's directorial finesse and the strong performances. At its core, it blends an 80s-era cop thriller with a forbidden romance, starring Tom Berenger as rookie detective Mike Keegan and Mimi Rogers as Manhattan socialite Claire Gregory. Berenger's character, freshly promoted, finds himself entangled in the high-stakes world of protecting a witness while navigating the temptations that threaten his personal life.

One of Scott’s successful gambits was casting Rogers—a relative unknown at the time—to round out the film’s narrative tapestry. Rogers, alongside Lorraine Bracco, deliver commendable performances; Bracco, in particular, is praised for her heartfelt portrayal of Keegan’s wife Ellie. Their chemistry lends authenticity to scenes, though some criticism points to a lack of palpable romantic connection between Berenger and Rogers. Andreas Katsulas, known for "Babylon 5," brings a menacing weight as mobster Joey Venza, heightening suspense whenever on screen.

Despite being sandwiched between more acclaimed projects, "Someone to Watch Over Me" offers visually captivating sequences filmed with meticulous attention to lighting and framing by Scott and cinematographer Michael Poster. The film's nuanced texture transforms what might have been a standard thriller into an evocative cinematic experience. While not universally seen as one of Scott’s masterpieces, this 1987 film captures New York City's glamorous underbelly with a blend of suspenseful storytelling and atmospheric direction that begs revisitation and appreciation.

"Someone to Watch Over Me" is a somewhat overlooked gem within Ridley Scott's filmography. While it may not reach the heights of his most celebrated works, it offers an engaging narrative bolstered by strong performances, particularly from Mimi Rogers as Claire. The plot might be predictable, but the movie remains entertaining and visually captivating, thanks in part to Scott's directorial prowess and the rich cinematography. Shout Factory's Blu-ray release does justice to the film with a solid video transfer maintaining the 1.85:1 aspect ratio and delivering crisp, clean images. The DTS-HD MA 2.0 audio track complements the visual experience well, although it lacks the immersive quality of more modern mixes.

Shout Factory has also included a modest but informative set of extras, comprising a couple of interviews that provide valuable insights into the film's background. Despite some criticism regarding the film's dramatic and tension-building elements, this Blu-ray presentation successfully highlights the movie’s strengths. The package may fare better with Ridley Scott enthusiasts and completists due to the high price point; however, casual viewers and newcomers may still find it worth exploring, especially for its stylistic appeal and solid performances.

In conclusion, "Someone to Watch Over Me" is not the most epic entry in Ridley Scott's illustrious career but stands out as a well-executed thriller deserving of more recognition. Mimi Rogers’ standout performance and the film’s polished aesthetics make it an enjoyable watch. The Shout Factory Blu-ray release enhances the viewing experience with excellent audio-visual quality and insightful bonus features. Highly recommended for fans of Ridley Scott and collectors alike, this release brings new life to an underrated classic.