Girlfriends Blu-ray Review

Girlfriends is presented on Blu-ray by The Criterion Collection with an impressive AVC encoded 1080p transfer in director Claudia Weill's preferred aspect ratio of 1.66:1. This new digital transfer is created in 4K resolution on a Lasergraphics Director film scanner at Deluxe EFILM in Hollywood from the 16 mm A/B roll original camera negative. Extensive restoration efforts were undertaken using MTI Film's DRS and Digital Vision's Phoenix for noise management, eliminating thousands of instances of dirt, debris, scratches, and splices. The resulting video quality maintains the film's authentic, grain-heavy aesthetic while ensuring a visually appealing presentation.

The inherent nature of Girlfriends as a low-budget 1970s independent film shot on 16mm film stock means it displays a pronounced grain structure, particularly noticeable in dimly lit scenes. Despite this, the grain resolves beautifully and organically most of the time, rendering sharp details especially evident in close-ups. Colors, notably reds, are vibrant and well-saturated without appearing unnatural. Flesh tones occasionally exhibit a slight peach tint, yet it does not detract from overall realism. The transfer’s clarity fluctuates at times with some shots appearing soft or slightly out of focus, typical of the original filming conditions.

Crucially, the transfer remains faithful to the original material, preserving the film’s inherent visual quirks and low-budget charm. Establishing shots of the city are richly detailed with deep, natural shadows. Comparing the viewing experience on both a 65” 4K TV and a 49” high-definition TV revealed consistent quality, showcasing Criterion’s meticulous work. Compression artifacts are negligible, and no significant age-related damage is present. In sum, Criterion has achieved an excellent balance in maintaining Girlfriends' authentic feel while maximizing the visual quality attainable from its original source material.

The audio presentation of "Girlfriends" on Blu-ray features an LPCM Mono track, which effectively supports the film's intimate and realistic sound design. The monaural soundtrack remains true to the original, foregoing any modern surround sound enhancements like a 5.1 mix, and this choice aligns well with the film's organic charm. Remastered using Avid's ProTools and iZotope RX, the track is entirely a front-speaker affair, yet it impressively conveys a bustling urban atmosphere. The clarity of dialogue is consistently maintained, enabling viewers to easily follow conversations amidst the ambient noises of city traffic, distant dog barks, and art gallery chatter.

Despite the single-channel limitations, the audio exhibits a surprising robustness. Dialogue, while naturally constrained by historical recording techniques, manages to be clear and precise, never overshadowed by environmental sounds. Special features, which utilize more modern recording methods, reveal a fuller sound profile with discernible depth felt via subwoofers—an attribute not present in the main film due to its preservation of the authentic audio master. Overall, this audio presentation succeeds in capturing the essence of "Girlfriends" and serves its thematic and ambient needs admirably without unnecessary embellishments. Optional English subtitles further support accessibility.

Criterion has curated a compelling array of extras for the Blu-Ray release of "Girlfriends," supplementing the film with insightful and diverse content. A notable highlight is the 2019 interview with Claudia Weill which, despite some editing quirks, offers in-depth perspectives on her filmmaking journey. The inclusion of the thoughtful essay booklet by Molly Haskell and Carol Gilligan provides rich analytical context. Interviews with Vicki Polon and the ensemble cast (Melanie Mayron, Christopher Guest, Bob Balaban, and Weill) add valuable retrospectives. Additionally, the enjoyable conversation between Weill and Joey Soloway outlines the challenges and triumphs of women in film. Historical pieces like the "City Lights" television episode and early documentaries Joyce at 34 and Commuters contribute to a well-rounded archival collection.

Extras included in this disc:

• Interview with Director Claudia Weill: Insights into Weill's filmmaking career.
• Interview with Screenwriter Vicki Polon: Discusses script creation and non-traditional storytelling.
• Girlfriends: A Look Back: Cast and crew reminiscence about the film's production.
• Claudia Weill and Joey Soloway: Conversation on filmmaking challenges for women.
• City Lights: 1978 Canadian talk show interview.
• Joyce at 34: 1971 documentary on career and motherhood.
• Commuters: 1970 short documentary on daily commuters.

Claudia Weill’s Girlfriends offers a refreshingly candid portrayal of female friendships amidst the backdrop of late '70s New York City. Reflecting Weill's documentary filmmaking roots, the film exudes an unpolished authenticity and naturalism that contrasts starkly with the whimsicality of contemporaries like Agnès Varda. The narrative focuses on Susan Weinblatt (Melanie Mayron), an aspiring photographer attempting to navigate career and personal life challenges as her best friend and roommate, Anne (Anita Skinner), moves out to get married. Weill's ability to capture the minutiae of everyday life, combined with vivid character interactions, positions Girlfriends as an essential slice-of-life film from this era. This depiction is reminiscent of Woody Allen's urban stories, yet imbued with a certain warmth and depth that extends beyond mere surface-level interactions.

The film's charm lies in its vignette-driven approach, akin to the slice-of-life subgenre seen in anime, emphasizing Susan's struggles with work and relationships. Photographer Susan’s journey includes photographing Bar Mitzvahs while seeking more profound professional recognition, encountering setbacks that elevate the film’s relatability. Notably, Susan's complicated dynamics with an older, married rabbi (Eli Wallach) provide a nuanced exploration of personal mistakes and growth rather than delivering overt moral commentary. The inclusion of familiar faces like Bob Balaban and Christopher Guest offers additional points of interest, while the ensemble cast's performances contribute significantly to the film's grounded realism despite occasionally stilted dialogue.

Girlfriends resonates universally, transcending its specific cultural and temporal setting through its exploration of youthful aspirations and disappointments. Its undiluted urban atmosphere, devoid of violence and gritty decay yet no less authentic, distinguishes it within the ranks of major cinematic works from the era. The Criterion Collection's Blu-ray release, notable for its restored 4K transfer supervised by Weill and cinematographer Fred Murphy, showcases the film in its original monaural format, ensuring that the film’s intrinsic qualities remain pristine for modern audiences.

"Girlfriends" captures a distinctive slice-of-life ambiance remarkable for its candid, heartfelt portrayal of youth and friendship in a specific epoch. The film offers an authentic showcase of emotions, with Melanie Mayron's performance standing out as particularly noteworthy. Although some dialogue may occasionally feel clunky, the overarching sentiment remains genuine and touching. The Blu-ray presentation, while not boasting groundbreaking video and audio quality, accurately reflects the original aesthetic and budgetary constraints of the film, ensuring an experience that remains true to its era.

This Criterion release, marked by meticulous restoration efforts, presents "Girlfriends" in a light that film enthusiasts will appreciate. The technical aspects, although modest, are robust, delivering a continuity that retains the film’s original charm. The collection of supplementary materials enriches the viewing experience, offering in-depth insights and appreciation for the film’s context and significance. While it may not offer a pristine cut by contemporary standards, the authenticity of the presentation is commendable.

In conclusion, "Girlfriends" may appear unassuming at times, yet it delivers honest emotions and delightful performances. The combination of earnest storytelling and a solid technical presentation on Blu-ray makes this release an engaging choice for fans and new viewers alike. Criterion’s dedication to restoring this piece ensures it will be appreciated by a newer generation. Recommended.