True Story Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "True Story" by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment delivers a competent AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Shot primarily on 35mm film using Arricam and Arriflex equipment, the film maintains a pleasing organic look, with grain unobtrusively pushed to the background. The visual treatment effectively aligns with the film’s drab palette, particularly highlighting the prison interview scenes under harsh fluorescent lighting. Though these settings slightly obscure fine detail in midrange shots, close-ups of characters like Longo capture intricate details, such as his scraggly beard and mustache.

Outdoor sequences exhibit commendable detail, benefiting from a well-controlled color spectrum. Despite some intentional softness in certain exterior shots, particularly during Finkel’s investigation, the texture and topographical accuracy lend authenticity to the cinematography, even if geographic stand-ins (NY beaches for Oregon) seem misguided. The video presentation manages excellent white balance in scenes dominated by lighter hues, such as those within the prison, where whites are neither blown-out nor excessively noisy. Fleshtones stay consistently well-balanced, and black levels are solid though not quite at inky depths.

Technically, the transfer is sound with no discernible instances of banding or aliasing, which enhances the overall viewing experience. The level of detail may not be groundbreaking but is ample and should meet the expectations of most viewers. This Blu-ray’s video transfer is a reliable and aesthetically pleasing representation of the film’s intentions, ensuring that the film retains its intended gritty realism and atmospheric nuance.

The audio presentation for "True Story" on Blu-ray primarily features a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The film's nature, with its extensive dialogue-driven scenes between characters like Longo and Finkel, means the audio does not fully exploit the capabilities of a multi-channel setup. However, it does provide a clean, crisp dialogue delivery, exhibiting excellent fidelity without any noticeable issues. Environmental effects, such as oceanside ambient sounds, offer some discreet channelization but are used sparingly. This results in a fairly restrained soundstage, albeit one that competently supports Marco Beltrami's score, presenting it with fullness and clarity.

Complementing the primary English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track is an English 5.1 Descriptive Audio track, along with Spanish and French Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks. The overwhelming majority of the dialogue emanates from the front channels, demonstrating the mix’s focus on clear and well-prioritized dialogue, essential for the film's conversational nature. The tracks remain glitch-free, presenting a meticulous audio experience that fulfills the narrative's needs effectively. Subtitles are provided in English SDH and Spanish, aiding accessibility.

The Blu-ray release of "True Story" features a well-rounded array of extras that provide both promotional content and insightful commentary. The standout element is the Audio Commentary by Rupert Goold, which, though technical, provides invaluable insights for aspiring filmmakers concerning scene construction and directorial choices. However, the commentary's focus on technical details may come across as overly dry for those seeking behind-the-scenes anecdotes. The Deleted Scenes with optional director commentary offer additional context to the film’s narrative. The four brief featurettes—one each focusing on the real-life counterparts of Jonah Hill and James Franco's characters, the true events inspiring the film, and the movie's overall production—tend to be promotional in nature but contribute some supplementary background information. Additionally, a Gallery of 24 color photos, the original Theatrical Trailer, and a Sneak Peek at other films round out the extras, ensuring a comprehensive package for any viewer.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Optional commentary by Rupert Goold.
• Mike Finkel: Look at Jonah Hill's real-life counterpart.
• Who is Christian Longo?: Insight into James Franco's character.
• The Truth Behind 'True Story': Overview of main characters and storyline.
• The Making of 'True Story': Production overview.
• Audio Commentary by Rupert Goold: Technical insights into the film’s direction.
• Gallery: Promotional and behind-the-scenes photos.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer.
• Sneak Peek: Includes trailers for other films.

"True Story" confronts the unsettling crimes of Christian Longo, who brutally murdered his wife and children in the peaceful Pacific Northwest and subsequently fled to Mexico, where he assumed the identity of New York Times reporter Michael Finkel. Jonah Hill's portrayal of Finkel captures the journalist's desperate attempt to salvage his career after being dismissed for fabricating a composite character in a previous report. The narrative explores their complex interactions, emphasizing Longo's manipulative deceptions. Unfortunately, James Franco's portrayal of Longo fails to convincingly convey the character's sinister nature, undermining the film's tension and credibility.

The film ambitiously seeks to juxtapose Finkel and Longo’s narcissistic traits, presenting an intellectual battlefield through their prison conversations. However, this approach often feels forced and dilutes the tension. The insertion of Finkel's girlfriend, played by Felicity Jones, into the narrative feels unnecessary, her character adding little depth to the proceedings. While "True Story" is grounded in factual events, its attempts at dramatization sometimes stray into predictability and cliché, particularly in its portrayal of journalistic integrity clashing with moral ambiguities.

Despite its narrative flaws, "True Story" manages to engage viewers primarily through Hill's commendable performance and its exploration of truth versus perception. The Blu-Ray presentation offers excellent visual quality, enhancing the film's dark, brooding aesthetic. However, some contrived elements and miscast roles hold it back from achieving its full potential as a psychological drama. Overall, while it raises intriguing ethical questions, "True Story" ultimately struggles to deliver a fully convincing portrayal of its real-life inspirations.

"True Story" offers an engaging dramatization of real-life events revolving around reporter Mike Finkel and accused murderer Christian Longo. Jonah Hill brings depth to his portrayal of Finkel, showcasing his aptitude for serious roles. James Franco, however, appears miscast as Longo, struggling to convey the elusive duality required for his character. Despite this, both actors deliver commendable performances that keep the film compelling.

The film navigates complex themes and attempts to humanize Longo through his interactions with Finkel. It takes creative liberties with the story, which may question the 'true story' label, but these deviations don't detract from its overall impact. "True Story" provides substantial material for Hill and Franco to explore their dramatic capabilities, albeit with mixed results.

From a technical standpoint, the Blu-ray presentation is robust, providing crisp visuals and clear audio. The cinematography is well-preserved, enhancing the viewing experience. However, some technical caveats are worth noting but do not significantly undermine the overall quality.

The entire saga of this preppy-looking murderer was front-page fare for months. "True Story" never successfully coalesces its thesis that these two are somehow peas in a pod, but it still offers excellent opportunities for both Hill and Franco. Technical merits are generally strong, and with caveats noted, "True Story" comes recommended.