The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie's 4K UHD Blu-ray video presentation showcases a meticulous restoration that breathes new life into Luis Buñuel's satirical masterpiece. The 2022 restoration was a collaborative effort between STUDIOCANAL and the French CNC, detailedly executed by L’Image Retrouvée laboratory from the original 35mm negatives scanned at 4K using Arriscan, complementing with an interpositive for the most compromised sections. Such thoroughness led to the elimination of age-related damages such as scratches and dust, frame by frame. The colour grading meticulously adheres to the directives of Edmond Richard, the film's cinematographer, ensuring fidelity to the movie's initial visual essence. However, this same colour grading has stirred some controversy for its perceived lack of vibrancy and an unexpected lean towards a cooler palette that deviates from the expected richness and dynamic range typical for UHD releases. This restoration manages to retain the film's natural grain and detail in a commendable manner, yet incites debate over potential revisionism in its colour treatment according to multiple observations.

In technical specifics, this release shines with a native 3840 x 2160p resolution, maintaining the original 1.66:1 aspect ratio and employing the HEVC (H.265) codec, further enriched by HDR10 without extending to other dynamic range formats. Such fidelity ensures an authentic representation, notable for its refined textures and a gratifying depth in character close-ups and set details, albeit with some criticisms regarding its subdued HDR application leading to a somewhat flattened colour spectrum. Notably, the presentation benefits from exemplary grain management that preserves the filmic essence without succumbing to distracting digital noise reduction artifacts.

Although the 4K restoration has undeniably elevated The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie's home video representation, culminating in what is arguably its finest version yet, viewers might encounter mixed feelings towards the colour grading choices made. The restoration expertly eradicates print damage, achieving a stable and clean image that showcases significant detail and clarity enhancements over previous versions. However, it contends with criticisms regarding its HDR rendering and potential cool shifts in colour that diverge from traditional expectations attached to such an illustrious cinematic work. Overall, while technical prowess in detail retrieval and grain fidelity is evident, viewers' acceptance of the visual aesthetic might hinge on personal preferences towards colour saturation and dynamic range presentation.

The audio presentation of "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie" on 4K UHD Blu-ray is a testament to meticulous sound restoration and mastering, offering multiple audio track options including French, German, and English in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. The audio is pristinely clear, devoid of any background noise such as hiss, clicks, or pops, ensuring that the voices come through naturally and clearly. This clarity is complemented by a solid dynamic range that adeptly handles subtle nuances and delivers depth when necessary. The purity of the soundtrack enables an immersive viewing experience, further enhanced by accurately synced subtitles in French (HOH), English, and German without detectable anomalies or errors.

The restoration work done on the original sound elements in 2022 is evident in the quality of the audio output. Despite being a mono track, there's a surprising absence of distortion or other artifacts that could detract from the clarity of dialogue. This is crucial for a film where dialogue and its delivery play a critical role in the narrative’s impact. The attention to detail ensures that each word is conveyed with the intended weight and nuance.

Viewers have additional auditory options with three meticulously encoded DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 tracks catering to different language preferences. This ensures accessibility while remaining faithful to the film's original soundscape. The optional English, German, and French SDH subtitles are meticulously crafted, offering an inclusive viewing experience without compromising on linguistic integrity. The absence of a prominent music score shifts focus to the dialog, which is presented with depth and without distortion, making for a compelling auditory experience that complements the visual splendor of the 4K UHD presentation.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie" boasts a modest yet invaluable selection of extras focused predominantly on deepening the viewer's understanding of this enigmatic film. The included interviews and analyses are especially enlightening, with Jean-Claude Carrière offering a captivating glimpse into the film's creation and his partnership with Buñuel, and Charles Tesson's exploration of the movie's dream logic and social critiques enhancing appreciation. Peter William Evans' insights further illuminate Buñuel's intentions, making these supplements almost indispensable for aficionados seeking to grasp the film's subtle complexities. Though the extras don't dive into Buñuel's broader impact on cinema or surrealism extensively, they provide a rich, intellectual exploration of the film's themes, production history, and unique narrative structures.

Extras included in this disc:

• Interview with Jean-Claude Carrière: A revealing conversation about his involvement in the film and collaboration with Luis Buñuel.
• A Critical Analysis by Charles Tesson: Examines the film's production history, dream structure, and societal contradictions.
• A Critical Analysis by Peter William Evans: Discusses Buñuel's social conscience and the dream-conscious aspect of the film.
• Analysis of 3 Scenes of the Film: Charles Tesson offers selected scene commentary, delving into Buñuel's methods of subverting expectations.
• Trailer: The original French trailer, with optional English and German subtitles.

Luis Buñuel's The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, presented in a stunning 4K UHD Blu-ray edition, is a mesmerizing critique of the bourgeoisie's consumption habits and their societal rituals. This 1972 masterpiece intertwines a deceptively simple narrative—where a group of affluent individuals repeatedly fails to dine together due to increasingly bizarre interruptions—with a complex, layered exploration of societal norms. Through a series of thwarted dinner plans, Buñuel delivers sharp, satirical jabs at war, death, infidelity, and the absurdity of bourgeois conventions. The film's narrative intricacy is amplified by dream sequences that blur the lines between reality and imagination, making it an intellectually challenging and surreal viewing experience.

Buñuel collaborates with Jean-Claude Carriere to craft a screenplay that dazzles with its wit and depth, ensuring that each scene is rich with symbolism and significance. Despite the film’s critique being rooted in the specific context of its era, its themes of consumption and façade remain relevant, perhaps even more so in today's digital age. The cast delivers commendable performances, with Fernando Rey standing out; however, the characters serve more as vessels for Buñuel's commentary than as individuals with whom viewers can emotionally engage. This detachment, while possibly intentional to underscore the critique, may alienate some viewers seeking a more conventional narrative anchor.

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie demands active engagement and multiple viewings to fully unravel its intricacies. Unlike more accessible surrealist films, Buñuel’s work challenges viewers to decipher its enigmatic blend of satire and surrealism without offering easy resolutions. This may render the film elusive to some but offers a rewarding experience for those attuned to its unique rhythm and style. While its cryptic nature and lack of emotional anchorage can be seen as shortcomings, they are also integral to Buñuel's method of provoking thought and reflection on the absurdities underpinning societal norms and the veneer of respectability.

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie," directed by Luis Buñuel, is a quintessential example of surreal cinema that digs deep into the fabric of French bourgeois culture. This film, while not easily accessible to everyone due to its dense thematic content and surreal storytelling, offers a rich visual and intellectual experience that rewards viewers willing to engage with its complexity. StudioCanal's 4K UHD Blu-ray release of this film is noteworthy for its technical presentation, akin to the quality observed in the release of "Belle de Jour." However, it is crucial to mention the controversial color grading which might alter the viewing experience depending on one's familiarity with the film's previous versions and personal preferences.

The Blu-ray disc boasts a commendable restoration by StudioCanal, albeit with a potential hiccup regarding the new color grading, a factor that remains subjective among cinephiles. On the other hand, the selection of extras, although not as comprehensive as the Criterion Collection's offerings from "Three Films by Luis Buñuel" set, still provides a decent complement to the main feature. The absence of notable extras such as various documentaries and television episodes related to Buñuel's work may be felt by some enthusiasts. Nevertheless, the primary draw of this release is undoubtedly the quality of the 4K restoration which brings Buñuel's vision to life in a manner previously unimaginable to home viewers, fulfilling a long-held dream for aficionados of the director's oeuvre.

In conclusion, StudioCanal's 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie" is a significant milestone for collectors and fans of Luis Buñuel. The film itself requires an investment of both thought and emotion from its audience, promising a rewarding cinematic journey. Despite some reservations about the color grading and supplemental features, the restoration quality is exemplary, presenting an indispensable addition to any serious film collection. This release not only celebrates Buñuel's genius but also sets a high standard for the home video presentation of classic films.