Dutch Blu-ray Review

The 1080p transfer of "Dutch" offers a serviceable video experience, although it is far from striking. Flesh tones sometimes appear overly warm, and blacks can feel slightly overwhelming. The color palette, while not vibrant, maintains a fair balance between the warm interiors of boarding schools and some snowy exteriors. Fine detail is present but often looks soft, particularly in human faces, clothing, and building façades. A light grain structure adds some texture, but the transfer is marred by random pops and scratches that appear frequently, though they're never truly destructive. Blocking and banding are relatively absent, making the overall quality passable, especially for a catalogue title from a poorly received movie.

Twentieth Century Fox provided Anchor Bay with an aged master for this AVC-encoded 1.85:1 presentation, and its age is evident. White speckles appear during the opening credits and sporadically throughout the film. Dirt and hairline traces are also visible at times. The autumnal colors look semi-bright, juxtaposed with the wintry scenes that appear characteristically drab. Thankfully, there are no notable issues like cigarette burns or reel-change marks. Outdoor skintones come off pale and pasty. While the Blu-ray is better compared to LaserDisc and likely a step up from previous DVD versions, it lacks any significant restoration effort. Overall, this transfer is decent but unremarkable.

The Blu-ray release of Dutch features a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack that offers a fair but somewhat uninspiring audio presentation. The clarity and energy levels are moderate, with music being adequately spaced and exhibiting decent clarity, though occasionally sounding slightly artificial when it becomes louder. Sound effects such as car crashes and the impact of a meat cleaver are forceful but lack detailed realism, making their presence felt without truly immersing the listener. Ambient sounds, like gusty winds, are minimal but contribute effectively to the atmosphere. Dialogue plays through the center channel with general crispness but occasionally has a slight unnatural pitch.

Originally recorded in Dolby Stereo, Dutch now benefits from its new Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix provided by Anchor Bay. The bass is rendered well, and dialogue maintains its clarity throughout. During quieter scenes, such as the opening jazz number, the directionality across speakers is commendable, though other musical cues lack significant separation, likely due to source limitations. Surround channels handle effects like car sounds and thunderstorms with competency. Overall, the track is adequate for the film's modest audio demands, but it does little to elevate the listening experience beyond what is required. English SDH subtitles are available for further accessibility.

The Blu-ray release of "Dutch" features a single yet notable extra: the original theatrical trailer. Presented in a 4:3 aspect ratio with a resolution of 480p, this hazy-looking trailer runs for approximately 1:58 minutes. While minimal in quantity, the trailer holds unique value, showcasing brief snippets of deleted or alternate scenes that did not make it into the final cut of the film. The inclusion of these scenes provides a rare glimpse into the editing and decision-making process behind the movie, potentially offering insights that fans and film enthusiasts will appreciate.

Extras included in this disc:

• Dutch Trailer: A 4:3 aspect ratio trailer providing tantalizing glimpses of deleted or alternate scenes.

Dutch' is a perplexing anomaly in John Hughes' illustrious filmography. Despite sharing the basic plot structure of Hughes' classic 'Planes, Trains & Automobiles'—two characters who don't get along embarking on a journey together—'Dutch' stands out for all the wrong reasons. Lacking the infectious energy, witty dialogue, and memorable performances that defined Hughes' earlier works, 'Dutch' suffers from poor pacing, bland dialogue, and uninspired acting. Ed O'Neill and Ethan Randall's on-screen chemistry is nonexistent, making their supposedly heartfelt journey feel distant and disinterested. Director Peter Faiman's lackluster direction contributes little to elevating the material, resulting in a film that struggles to engage its audience.

The film attempts to explore themes of bonding and reconciliation between Doyle Standish (Ethan Randall), a bratty prep schooler, and Dutch Dooley (Ed O'Neill), his mother's rough-around-the-edges boyfriend. When Doyle's father cancels his Thanksgiving plans, Dutch volunteers to drive him from his boarding school back home, hoping to bond through their road trip. However, the characters remain superficially developed, and their interactions feel routine and predictable. Hughes' script fails to bring any real depth or tenderness to the story, offering only a spoon-fed narrative that plays out in disappointingly familiar territory.

There are moments of potential, particularly in Alan Silvestri's score, which includes a two-voice piano theme that captures Doyle's inner turmoil and vulnerabilities. The film also features a few genuinely charming scenes that hint at what 'Dutch' could have been under more inspired direction and tighter scriptwriting. However, these fleeting moments are not enough to redeem the film overall. While 'Dutch' had the makings of a heartfelt comedy in the vein of Hughes' best works, it ultimately falls flat, leaving audiences disengaged and uninterested in the journey it portrays.

"Dutch" remains a divisive film in John Hughes' repertoire, and Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release mirrors that contentious legacy. Upon viewing, it becomes evident that "Dutch" struggles to capture the energy and charm typical of Hughes' more celebrated works like "Planes, Trains & Automobiles." The narrative feels predictable from the onset, lacking the tender character development and rhythmic pacing that define Hughes' best. Consequently, "Dutch" fails to engage viewers, offering little beyond a conventional storyline and uninspired execution.

On the technical side, Anchor Bay's Blu-ray presents the film with fair video quality. The transfer lacks the sharpness and precision found in higher-quality releases, resulting in a somewhat lackluster visual experience. The audio fares better, delivering a solid and immersive soundstage that, while not exceptional, meets acceptable standards for home viewing. However, the release is notably devoid of substantive extras, which detracts from its overall value as a collector's piece.

In conclusion, "Dutch" is a routine film that does little to stand out in John Hughes' illustrious catalog. While Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release offers watchable video and commendable sound, it falls short of making the film an essential addition to any collection. Overall, it may be more gratifying to revisit Hughes' classics such as "Planes, Trains & Automobiles" instead.