Hyde Park on Hudson Blu-ray Review

"Hyde Park on Hudson" boasts an impressive visual presentation on Blu-ray, courtesy of Universal Studios. The 1080p AVC encoded transfer in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio provides a refined, almost dreamlike quality to the film. Despite an initial impression of softness due to its diffused aesthetic, the level of fine detail is excellent, particularly noticeable in close-up shots. The use of natural lighting contributes to this effect, giving the film a soft yet detailed appearance. Outdoor scenes, especially those with bright daylight, pop vibrantly, showcasing the lush landscapes with remarkable depth and clarity. Color saturation is muted but appears accurate and intentional, enhancing the film's natural palette while slight overblown contrast adds to its softer look.

Shadow detail remains consistently high, even in heavily shaded interior scenes, ensuring that no detail is lost in darker moments. The black levels are deep and consistent, contributing to the overall high quality of the image. Notably, the quality is free from common digital artifacts such as banding, blur, or compression issues, making for a clean and immersive viewing experience. The BD-50 disc sufficiently handles the content without any noticeable compression artifacts, maintaining the visual integrity of the film throughout.

The DTS-HD Master Audio track complements the video well, despite being less dynamic due to the film's narrative focus. Although primarily dialogue-driven, moments conducive to surround sound and dynamic range are well executed when necessary, albeit limited. This all contributes to a solid and technically adept video presentation that accurately reflects the filmmakers' intentions and enhances the overall viewing experience.

The audio presentation of "Hyde Park on Hudson" on Blu-ray is delivered through a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix. This track, while modest in its ambitions, excels particularly in clarity and fidelity. As expected from a film driven by dialogue, the audio mix ensures that the spoken words are consistently clear and precisely rendered, predominantly anchored in the center channel. Environmental ambient effects and the minimalist score are well captured in the surround channels, lending a sense of space without overwhelming the listener.

While the dynamic range is relatively limited, notable exceptions occur during specific scenes. When Roosevelt roams through the countryside in his roadster and during a key picnic scene featuring Native American performers, these moments shine with brief but smartly utilized surround activity. These scenes demonstrate the mix's capability to enliven the environmental soundscape, making the viewer feel embedded within the narrative setting.

Overall, this DTS-HD MA audio mix won't provide jaw-dropping immersion or dynamic surprises, but it serves its purpose adequately by placing emphasis on clear and intelligible dialogue. The surround effects are sparing but effective when employed, supporting rather than overshadowing the film's focus. For a dialogue-centric film such as this, the audio track performs well enough to complement the visual storytelling without detracting from its primary elements.

The Blu-Ray extras for "Hyde Park on Hudson" present a diverse array of supplementary content that provides both technical insights and entertainment. The Audio Commentary by Director Roger Michell and Producer Kevin Loader proves to be an engaging track, blending conversational tone with valuable information about the film’s production nuances, including CGI use and interesting anecdotes about Bill Murray. "A Look Inside Hyde Park on Hudson" offers standard press-style interviews and film clips, highlighted by Murray's humorous comparison to "Ghostbusters." The featurette "First Days" is an audio-visual oddity, focusing on Michell's first-person narrative and personal insights. Deleted Scenes deliver quirky outtakes that did not fit into the final narrative, such as an unusual telephone conversation involving Queen Elizabeth. However, BD Live functionality appears unreliable, affecting some users’ experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Director Roger Michell and Producer Kevin Loader: Informative with film production anecdotes.
• A Look Inside Hyde Park on Hudson: Standard EPK with interviews and film snippets.
• Deleted Scenes: Intriguing outtakes not included in the final film.
• First Days: Director Roger Michell offers a personal narrative about the film.

"Hyde Park on Hudson" offers a unique, albeit somewhat fragmented, glimpse into the life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt during a brief period leading up to World War II. Bill Murray's portrayal of FDR provokes mixed reactions; some feel his affable and understated performance captures the essence of a charismatic yet secretive leader, while others argue it lacks the gravitas expected of such a historical figure. Nevertheless, Murray adeptly navigates the complexities of FDR's character within this limited, romanticized scope. Laura Linney's performance as Margaret "Daisy" Suckley adds layers of sweetness and innocence to the narrative, although her character remains somewhat underdeveloped.

The film's structure can be confusing due to its dual focus on FDR's personal relationships and the historic visit by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The juxtaposition of these storylines often feels disjointed, leaving viewers grappling with an incomplete understanding of the central characters. While the interactions between FDR and King George VI, played by Samuel West, provide moments of genuine camaraderie and levity, Daisy’s narrative feels sidelined and loosely connected.

Visually, the film excels under Roger Michell's direction. The meticulous production design, authentic period costumes by Dinah Collin, and cinematography by Lol Crawley imbue the film with a rich, nostalgic aesthetic that transports viewers to the late 1930s. Though dramatically flawed, the movie succeeds in creating an evocative atmosphere that is both charming and historically intriguing. Thus, "Hyde Park on Hudson" is worth viewing for its visual splendor and Murray's unexpected yet compelling portrayal of FDR, despite its narrative shortcomings.

"Hyde Park on Hudson" on Blu-ray presents a multifaceted portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Bill Murray's performance as Roosevelt is undoubtedly the highlight, bringing a charismatic and witty charm to the role that makes him an engaging, albeit flawed, protagonist. The film navigates the delicate interplay of Roosevelt's personal indiscretions and the historic visit of the King and Queen of England, creating a juxtaposition that, while intriguing, sometimes veers toward melodrama. This dual narrative structure, though ambitious, occasionally feels disjointed, leaving some plot threads underdeveloped.

The technical aspects of the Blu-ray release are solid, delivering a serviceable audio and video experience. The visuals are pleasing, capturing the era's aesthetic with meticulous detail, though they do not significantly stand out in terms of high definition clarity. The audio track is well-balanced, ensuring dialogue is clear and the period-appropriate soundtrack enhances the viewing experience without overpowering it. Additionally, the Blu-ray includes some decent extra features, adding value to those interested in behind-the-scenes insights.

In conclusion, "Hyde Park on Hudson" offers a compelling portrayal of a complex historical figure through Bill Murray's impressive performance. While the film's narrative may occasionally stumble and its technical presentation does not push any boundaries, the overall package is a worthwhile addition for fans of character-driven dramas and historical narratives. It may not be a frequent rewatch, but it's certainly worth a look for its unique perspective on a lesser-seen side of Roosevelt's life.