Someone Is Bleeding Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Someone Is Bleeding," presented in a 1.67:1 aspect ratio and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC for a 1080p transfer, offers an intriguing look at the film's visual presentation. While it boasts a 4K restoration from the original camera negative, the results are mixed. Certain scenes exhibit muted colors and less contrast due to the original cinematographic choices, such as the use of light diffusion filters, which invoke a softer image with varied grain appearance. While some shots shine in sharp detail and well-defined grain, others suffer from heavy crushing and a flat appearance, possibly due to problematic grading decisions that might contradict the benefits of a 4K remastering.

In terms of technical specifics, despite the meticulous restoration process undertaken, primary colors appear desaturated and the dynamic range appears lackluster, which might suggest a need for further remastering. On occasion, the visuals convey a falsely applied denoising effect, detracting from potential vibrancy. This dynamic is particularly disheartening as some scenes hint at the breathtaking visual potential achievable through a more refined approach.

Despite these concerns, it should be noted that the image stability is commendable throughout most of the feature, with minimal scratches and only minor instability issues observed during the closing credits. Ultimately, this Blu-ray edition remains a true reflection of its original artistic intent, albeit without the dazzling impact that might have been anticipated given its high-resolution restoration pedigree. However, to access this Region-A locked edition, users must utilize a Region-A or Region-Free player.

The audio presentation of the "Someone Is Bleeding" Blu-ray incorporates two main tracks: French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, with the option for English subtitles on the French track. Both tracks exemplify the typical fidelity constraints expected from their 1970s origin. Unfortunately, this results in an overall underwhelming auditory experience. The French track, considered the original, exhibits uneven and weak sound quality, raising questions about its production choices. The English dubbing is similarly average, struggling to deliver a compelling aural performance.

Despite these limitations, dialogue clarity is consistently maintained, ensuring that pivotal verbal exchanges are not lost to poor mixing. A notable element of the audio is Philippe Sarde's score, which resonates with a more vibrant presence, enhancing the film's tension. Though it lacks subtlety, this score contributes significantly to the atmospheric immersion. While audio purists might find the tracks lacking in warmth and depth, the clear dialogue and dynamic scoring represent redeeming aspects of the presentation.

In essence, this Blu-ray's audio tracks reflect their historical context, embracing both the strengths in dialogic articulation and the weaknesses inherent in their period-specific mixing techniques.

The Blu-ray extras for "Someone Is Bleeding" provide a comprehensive and enlightening addition to the viewing experience. The standout feature is an exclusive audio commentary by critics Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell, and Nathaniel Thompson. Berger, a known Lautner aficionado, leads an engaging discussion, exploring the film’s conception, the influence of Michel Audiard on Georges Lautner, and Alain Delon's career trajectory. They delve into the nuances of French humor and its translation challenges, and examine the unique adaptation of Richard Matheson's work in French cinema. Noteworthy is a discussion on the film's narrative structure, with Thompson offering a provocative interpretation of the opening scenes that may illuminate the cinematography's distinct aesthetic. Overall, this commentary is both insightful and entertaining for genre enthusiasts.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary: Exclusive track by critics Berger, Mitchell, and Thompson covering film conception, influences, and structural analysis.
• Cover: Reversible cover featuring vintage poster art.

Georges Lautner's "Icy Breasts," also known as "Les Seins de Glace" (1974), comes to Blu-ray with a minimalist set of features, notably an engaging audio commentary. This psychological thriller, adapted from Richard Matheson's novel "Someone is Bleeding," intricately crafts its narrative around the enigmatic character dynamics and perplexing murder conspiracies. Although Alain Delon's popularity is exploited in vintage promotional materials, the film concentrates on an elaborate relationship triangle involving Francois Rollin (Claude Brasseur), Peggy Lister (Mireille Darc), and her lawyer, Marc Rilson (Alain Delon).

Delon's casting was a strategic choice due to his European box office appeal in the 1970s, despite him not serving as the central figure in this production. The film relies heavily on Brasseur's portrayal of a solitary, lovelorn writer entangled with the elusive Peggy, whose tragic past and questionable actions draw Delon’s Rilson into the fray. This plot constructs a theatrical tension where Delon's presence is utilized not to dominate the narrative but to intensify its complexity.

The adaptation shifts significant focus from the dissociative identity aspects of Matheson's novel to a more conspicuous murder subplot. This pivot complicates character engagement and may dilute thematic intent, ultimately challenging mainstream expectations of Delon's overpowering screen presence. Lautner's direction grapples with harmonizing the murder and psychological threads, inadvertently sidelining Delon’s lawyer character until it is almost too late, leading to a convoluted resolution. Consequently, "Icy Breasts" is a peculiar blend of cerebral disturbance and thriller archetypes, maintaining intrigue yet hampered by narrative cohesion issues.

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of "Someone Is Bleeding," also known as "Icy Breasts," presents a compelling though flawed piece from Alain Delon's 1970s filmography. The adaptation is marred by mishandling, possibly by director Georges Lautner, who seems to have struggled with Richard Matheson's original material. The 4K master sourced from StudioCanal lacks conviction, affecting the visual presentation. The narrative, while rich with potential, does not match Delon's typical role selection quality from the era, hinting at a disconnect between the actor's prowess and the film’s final execution.

The accompanying commentary features insights from film historians Berger, Mitchell, and Thompson. Their expertise enriches the viewing experience by exploring Michel Audiard's influence on Lautner's screenplay, specifically noting the challenges in translating its humor. They highlight how this humor exposes the protagonist’s vulnerabilities, providing a unique juxtaposition in the film’s serious tone. Their discussions on shifting viewpoints throughout, and potential intentions behind Lautner's cinematographic choices, offer viewers an intriguing lens through which to reassess the work.

In conclusion, while "Someone Is Bleeding" might not be the pinnacle of Alain Delon's 1970s ventures, it remains a point of interest for devoted followers of his film legacy and French crime cinema enthusiasts. Approach with tempered expectations; although the film itself might not reach its full narrative potential, the packaged insights from seasoned commentators make this Blu-ray release worth engaging with for a deeper understanding of its place within both Delon’s career and Lautner’s directorial repertoire.