Tootsie Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of Sydney Pollack's "Tootsie" is a stunning display of technical prowess and dedication to film preservation. Presented in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, the 1080p transfer comes from a 4K digital master, meticulously created from the original 35mm camera negative. The digital restoration process, executed by The Prasad Group in Chennai, India, has resulted in an image that boasts both remarkable clarity and a pleasing depth. The fluidity of movement is impressively consistent, regardless of lighting conditions, producing a natural and organic visual appearance devoid of artificial degraining or sharpening artifacts.

Color reproduction is notably stable and well-saturated, delivering rich, vibrant hues across both the gritty urban backdrops of New York City and the lush countryside sequences. Each scene maintains strong black levels and natural, stable flesh tones. Close-ups, particularly of Dustin Hoffman and Jessica Lange, are rendered with exceptional crispness and detail, highlighting subtle facial features while adhering to the cinematographic intent—softening Lange's close-ups to match her character's portrayal through Hoffman's eyes.

Moreover, the 4K scanning done by Cineric in New York and the expert color correction from Sony Colorworks ensure that every frame retains a cohesive visual integrity. Shadow delineation remains solid, with background elements cleanly defined and free from noise or banding. The high-quality encoding maintains the film's gritty, authentic essence while ensuring modern viewers have an unparalleled viewing experience. This Blu-ray edition marks the pinnacle of "Tootsie's" home video releases, making it a must-have for both long-time fans and new audiences alike.

The Blu-ray release of "Tootsie" features a singular audio track: English LPCM 1.0, complemented by optional English SDH subtitles that thoughtfully appear within the image frame. The audio restoration is immediately apparent, delivering excellent balance and dynamic movement that aligns perfectly with the film's intent. Dave Grusin's soundtrack, notable for its natural crescendi and decrescendi, enriches the film without any abrupt spikes or drops in volume. Dialog is crisp, stable, and easily comprehensible throughout, with no presence of pops, cracks, background hiss, audio dropouts, or distortions.

The original monaural soundtrack has been meticulously remastered at 24-bit from the 35 mm magnetic dialogue, music, and effects track, presented in LPCM format. While the track may come across as a bit bland, it excels in outputting clear, well-modulated audio. The fidelity and depth ensure that Grusin's vibrant score sounds fresh and engaging, and Stephen Bishop's songs, especially the Oscar-nominated "It Might Be You," resonate warmly, filling the room with ease. An expansive dynamic scale prevents distortions and eliminates age-related imperfections such as hiss, pops, or crackles.

Overall, while "Tootsie" may never have had exceptional audio to begin with, the remastered track is highly effective in serving the film. Most of the dialogue is easy to follow; however, there are occasional instances where music or ambient effects make some soft-spoken lines less intelligible. Nonetheless, this workmanlike audio quality ensures a pleasant and immersive viewing experience.

The Blu-ray edition of "Tootsie" from Criterion is a treasure trove of meticulously curated supplements that not only celebrate the film's legacy but also offer profound insights into its production and impact. The included extras significantly enrich the viewer’s understanding of the movie’s creation, presenting an impressive range of content from interviews and documentaries to trailers and deleted scenes. One standout element is the engaging commentary by director Sydney Pollack, providing deep reflections on the film’s humor, casting choices, and his directorial challenges. The extensive interviews with Dustin Hoffman and Phil Rosenthal, along with rare screen and wardrobe tests, further elevate this collection by highlighting both the technical and emotional aspects of the film’s development.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insightful reflections by Sydney Pollack.
• Deleted Scenes: Nine scenes cut from the final film.
• Screen and Wardrobe Tests: Archival footage from initial production phases.
• A Better Man: The Making of Tootsie: Comprehensive making-of documentary.
• The Making of Tootsie: Vintage behind-the-scenes documentary.
• Interview with Dustin Hoffman: Detailed 2014 interview with key insights.
• Interview with Phil Rosenthal: Enthusiastic discussion of Tootsie's impact.
• Interview with Dorothy Michaels by Gene Shalit: Unused humorous archival footage.
• Trailers: Original marketing trailers for varied audiences.

Sydney Pollack’s “Tootsie” (1982), now available on Blu-ray from Criterion, maintains its unique charm among cross-dressing comedies due to its insightful exploration of gender roles and workplace politics. Anchored by Dustin Hoffman's compelling dual performance as Michael Dorsey and Dorothy Michaels, the film weaves humor with substantive themes, avoiding the pitfalls of a simple one-gag setup. Michael, a dedicated yet difficult actor, transforms himself into Dorothy to secure a role on the soap opera “Southwest General,” inadvertently becoming a feminist icon and learning valuable lessons about empathy and respect along the way. Supporting performances from Jessica Lange, Bill Murray, and Teri Garr enhance the narrative, although Lange's role is slightly underwhelming compared to her co-stars.

“Tootsie” tackles issues like gender discrimination and sexual harassment with a comedic bent that remains relevant even 30-plus years after its release. While some may find certain aspects dated, the film's broader commentary on the dynamics of male-female relationships in both professional and personal realms continues to resonate. The screenplay, penned by Larry Gelbart and Murray Schisgal with uncredited contributions from Elaine May, balances comedy and poignancy, making it more substantive than many similar genre films.

Technically, the Blu-ray presentation is commendable, with 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and LPCM mono audio capturing the film’s detailed cinematography by Owen Roizman and Dave Grusin’s evocative score. Criterion's package includes numerous supplemental features, such as interviews, deleted scenes, and behind-the-scenes documentaries, providing comprehensive insight into the film's production. Despite the comedic premise, "Tootsie" delves deep into character development and social commentary, ensuring its place as a culturally significant cinematic work.

Criterion Collection's recent Blu-ray release of "Tootsie" offers a nuanced blend of entertainment and social commentary that still resonates today. The film, more than a mere cross-dressing comedy, explores gender roles with wit, humor, and insightful sensitivity. With Dustin Hoffman's brilliant dual portrayal at its core, supported by Jessica Lange, Teri Garr, Bill Murray, and others, "Tootsie" delivers a heartfelt, madcap farce. Hoffman’s performance remains vibrant even after three decades, while supporting cast performances add considerable depth to the narrative.

The 4K restoration of "Tootsie" on Blu-ray is visually impressive, capturing the film's vibrant colors and intricate details with stunning clarity. Criterion's dedication to authenticity is noticeable in every frame. The audio quality complements the visual excellence, ensuring an immersive experience. Alongside the technical brilliance, the supplementary features are extensive and engaging, offering new insights as well as revisiting archival content which is both informative and entertaining.

In conclusion, "Tootsie" is an enjoyable but uneven film whose charm endures despite some dated elements. The blend of humor and romance occasionally demands a suspension of disbelief. Nonetheless, the film's heart and message remain impactful. Criterion's Blu-ray release not only revitalizes this classic with exceptional technical quality but also enriches it with substantial supplemental content. It is highly recommended for both new viewers and long-time fans.