The Soft Skin Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of François Truffaut's "The Soft Skin" is commendable, featuring a 1080p transfer encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and presented in an aspect ratio of 1.66:1. Sourced from the original 35mm camera negative, the high-definition digital transfer was meticulously completed using a Spirit DataCine film scanner at Digimage, Paris. The restoration work is evident, with considerable improvements in detail, clarity, and image depth compared to previous releases, especially in darker sequences which now appear richer and more nuanced.

The film sports an organic and pleasing appearance with a light layer of natural grain, though in some shots the grain structure may seem somewhat static and digital. Fine details and textures are clearly rendered in faces, costumes, and locations, providing a solid depth that enhances the viewing experience. The grayscale is exceptionally balanced with bright whites and inky blacks, despite some contrast pulsing and slight edge enhancement. Remarkably, there are no major cuts, damage marks, debris, stains, or scratches present, which speaks to the quality of the restoration.

Overall, while there are minor areas for improvement such as subtle sharpness fluctuations and occasional elevation in nighttime scenes, "The Soft Skin" offers a very clean and respectful image on Blu-ray. Its technical presentation is likely to please both long-time fans of the film and new viewers experiencing it for the first time in high definition.

The Blu-ray release of "The Soft Skin" offers a single standard audio track: French LPCM 1.0, accompanied by optional English subtitles. It is essential to experience the film with this lossless track, particularly to appreciate Georges Delerue's outstanding soundtrack, which plays a crucial role in the film's atmosphere. Compared to the older R2 DVD edition, where the music lacked depth and had incorrect pitch, the LPCM track excels with significantly better depth and conviction, particularly in the woodwinds. The dialogue is notably crisp, clear, and stable, ensuring that viewers can follow along without distraction. The English translation provided is excellent, albeit different from that of the Artificial Eye release.

Despite the technical limitations due to the film's age, the French LPCM mono track delivers a serviceable experience. The dialogue remains relatively clear, though the overall track presents a somewhat thin and strained quality. Nonetheless, the mono design does offer appropriately subtle ambiance, maintaining an authentic auditory setting for the 1960s era of the film. Georges Delerue's bittersweet score is portrayed nicely, though with a fairly flat sound quality. Thankfully, major imperfections such as crackle, hiss, or pops are absent, making for an undisturbed viewing experience. Given the historical constraints, this audio presentation for "The Soft Skin" does a commendable job.

Criterion's Blu-ray of "The Soft Skin" offers an insightful collection of extras that enhance the appreciation of François Truffaut's work and his connection with Alfred Hitchcock. Key supplements include a video essay by critic Kent Jones, which delves into Hitchcock's impact on Truffaut and the stylistic parallels and divergences between their films. The disc also features a documentary, "Monsieur Truffaut Meets Mr. Hitchcock," exploring the development of Truffaut's famous interview book with Hitchcock, enriched by archival interviews and personal anecdotes. Additionally, there’s an archival TV episode wherein Truffaut discusses pivotal scenes from "The Soft Skin," and an audio commentary by Jean-Louis Richard providing a deep dive into the film's production nuances, from collaborative writing processes to editing precision. All extras are presented with high-quality video and audio, along with optional English subtitles for non-English segments.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Complexity of Influence: Kent Jones' essay on Hitchcock’s influence on Truffaut.
• Monsieur Truffaut Meets Mr. Hitchcock: Documentary on the creation of Truffaut's interview book with Hitchcock.
• Truffaut on The Soft Skin: Archival TV episode featuring Truffaut discussing key scenes.
• Commentary: Insights from Jean-Louis Richard about the film’s production.

François Truffaut's "The Soft Skin," originally released in 1964, bears the heavy influence of Alfred Hitchcock's craftsmanship. This film, nominated for the Palme d'Or at Cannes, intricately dissects the anatomy of an adulterous relationship between Pierre Lachenay (Jean Desailly) and stewardess Nicole Chomette (Françoise Dorléac). The narrative is split into two distinct sections: a romantic melodrama and a psychological drama. Truffaut's framing, pacing, and lighting choices reflect Hitchcock's signature style, with tension built through controlled visual techniques such as freeze frames, POV shots, and deliberate editing rhythms. However, compared to Truffaut's other works, this film adopts a more clinical and subdued aesthetic.

Shot predominantly on location in Paris, with cinematography by Raoul Coutard, "The Soft Skin" is visually melancholic, enhanced by Georges Delerue's somber score. Despite the technical mastery on display, the film's plot reveals predictable melodrama, and its characters—Pierre, Nicole, and Pierre's wife Franca—lack depth and likability. They remain largely defined by their actions within the sphere of infidelity, making it challenging for audiences to emotionally invest in their personal conflicts.

While "The Soft Skin" may not reach the heights of Truffaut's seminal works like "The 400 Blows" or "Jules and Jim," it remains a stylistically rich examination of infidelity. Truffaut's meticulous attention to the visual lingua of suspense results in a compelling, if understated, entry within his filmography. Criterion’s Blu-ray release further enriches this exploration with valuable supplemental materials, including a video essay by Kent Jones and insightful commentary from scenarist Jean-Louis Richard.

Francois Truffaut’s fourth feature film, The Soft Skin, though not as renowned as The 400 Blows or Jules and Jim, stands out as one of his most complete and compelling works. Eschewing many of the Nouvelle Vague characteristics, it instead leans heavily on the suspense and meticulous visual style indicative of Alfred Hitchcock's influence. Set against a backdrop of modern themes, the narrative is executed with precision, making it especially pertinent today.

With a careful and sensitive video transfer, the film benefits from enhanced visual clarity, preserving Truffaut’s meticulous attention to detail. The audio mix complements this with clarity and balance, enhancing the immersive experience of the film’s suspenseful moments. Criterion Collection's Blu Ray release includes insightful supplements that delve into Truffaut’s creative processes and his connection with Hitchcock, offering valuable context and depth to the director’s influences and filmmaking considerations.

While The Soft Skin may not hold the same legendary status as some of Truffaut's other works, its artful direction and resonant themes provide a compelling viewing experience that warrants recognition. This Blu Ray release emerges as an essential addition for collectors and enthusiasts of Francois Truffaut’s oeuvre.

Highly recommended.