Boomerang! Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Boomerang!" features an AVC encoded image with a 1.37:1 aspect ratio, providing a faithful adaptation of the original 1.33:1 theatrical release. The 1080p transfer ensures a sharp and consistently rendered grayscale, presenting a satisfying cinematographic balance. The black levels, while generally solid, occasionally fall short of the depth seen in the best monochrome high-definition transfers, with minimal crushing observed. The presentation excels in delineation during evening scenes and with darker costuming, maintaining stable whites and visually compelling blacks.

Sharpness is slightly challenged due to the film's age and mild filtering, yet it manages to reveal significant details mainly through well-photographed close-ups of pained faces and fibrous costume textures. Facial particulars are periodically exposed, adding dimension to the on-screen performances. Despite the source's minor issues, including debris, chemical spotting, and mild posturization during transitions, the overall quality remains commendable. Artifact presence is minimal, ensuring that most of the presentation remains clean. The film is divided into 8 chapters, enhancing navigation through this classic piece of cinema.

The Audio presentation on the Blu-ray of "Boomerang!" features a DTS-HD MA 2.0 mono sound mix that, while not extraordinary, serves the film’s modest mood effectively. Dialogue is consistently clear and strong, showcasing the range of acting styles with hearty performances. The audio mix does a commendable job of preserving the atmosphere, ensuring crowd and courtroom scenes retain their intended bustling presence. David Buttolph’s score is well-blended, maintaining its integrity without overwhelming the narrative.

The sound mix is reflective of its original era and comes across as professionally recorded, ensuring an easy-to-understand dialogue throughout. However, a mild hiss can be detected during quieter moments, though it is soft enough not to disrupt the listening experience. The intricate balance between the score and the atmospheric effects is handled with finesse, contributing to an engaging auditory experience without detracting from the enjoyment of the film.

The Blu-ray release of "Boomerang!" features a robust set of extras that offer profound insights into this classic film noir. The two audio commentaries are particularly noteworthy; both provide thorough analysis from distinguished film historians. Imogen Sara Smith offers a scholarly breakdown, while Alain Silver and James Ursini bring their extensive expertise on noir to the second commentary. Additionally, the package includes the original theatrical trailer and a selection of promo trailers for related films, adding context for enthusiasts and scholars alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary #1: Analysis by film historian Imogen Sara Smith.
• Commentary #2: In-depth review by noir specialists Alain Silver and James Ursini.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional material.
• Promo Trailers: Includes trailers for "I Wake Up Screaming," "99 River Street," "Cry of the City," "Shield for Murder," "Daisy Kenyon."

Elia Kazan's 1947 film Boomerang! presents a penetrating exploration of law and order, dissecting justice through the lens of a fact-based murder investigation. Set against the backdrop of a small Connecticut town, the narrative centers on the murder of an Episcopal priest and the ensuing public outrage that compels local authorities to apprehend a suspect quickly. Dana Andrews stars as State’s Attorney Henry Harvey, who finds himself in a moral quandary as he faces immense pressure to secure a conviction for John Waldron (Arthur Kennedy), a drifter with circumstantial ties to the crime. Kazan employs a semi-documentary style to reinforce the story’s foundation in real events, which, combined with Richard Murphy's Oscar-nominated screenplay, maintains a palpable sense of authenticity.

The film's procedural storytelling is meticulous, showcasing every facet of the law enforcement process, from intense interrogations to courtroom maneuvers. Kazan's direction remains tight and focused on the actors, highlighting their internal struggles and the decay of professional integrity amid political machinations. The standout performances come from an ensemble cast featuring Kazan regulars like Lee J. Cobb as the determined police chief and Karl Malden as his earnest deputy, whose characters add depth to the judicial drama. Andrews anchors the film with a strong portrayal of a principled attorney torn between personal ethics and external pressures from influential figures like Ed Begley's corrupt banker.

Kazan's decision to shoot entirely on location in Connecticut provides a rich, immersive experience that grounds the film further in its docudrama roots. Notable cinematic touches, including montages of suspect line-ups and investigative sequences, add to the film's meticulous realism. Despite its restrained stylistic approach, Boomerang! succeeds in delivering intense courtroom drama and surprising plot twists that keep viewers engaged until the climactic verdict. The brooding tone and sharp dialogue reflect Kazan’s ability to challenge notions of justice and morality effectively.

Boomerang! features an unusual blend of noir and docudrama, distinguished by a compelling story that examines the intricacies of justice and societal forces. The film, renowned for its production quality and nuanced performances, is presented in high definition in this Kino Lorber Studio Classics release. The Blu-ray transfer accentuates the movie’s carefully crafted atmosphere, delivering crisp visuals and a well-balanced audio track that reflect the production's original sound design and cinematography faithfully.

The Blu-ray edition is technically impressive, maintaining the integrity of the film’s black-and-white cinematography with remarkable clarity. The contrast is sharp, accentuating the shadows and lighting that are fundamental to the film’s noir aesthetics. Additionally, the disc offers a meticulous restoration that ensures minimal noise and artifacts, preserving the film’s authenticity while modernizing it for contemporary collections. Of particular note is the audio quality, which provides clear dialogue and a well-maintained score, enhancing the viewing experience without overpowering the film's subtle narrative details.

As much as it strives to be, Boomerang isn’t thrilling. It's something to be appreciated, offering rich performances and production polish. The screenplay is also good for a few unexpected turns, keeping things interesting for viewers. It's static at times, with a courtroom finale that lacks electricity, but Boomerang supplies provocative ideas on the ways of justice and mob rule, breaking down a legal system that's often eager to provide easy answers to complex questions. Boomerang is an unusual noir docudrama with fewer of the tropes of the genre than one might find in more typical noirs of the era. The high definition presentation on this Kino Lorber Studio Classics release is a fine one.