Starring: Halle Berry, Benicio Del Toro, David Duchovny
Studio: DreamWorks Pictures 35009
Video: Anamorphic/enhanced for 16:9 widescreen color
Audio: English DD 5.1, also French & Spanish 5.1
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
Extras: A discussion about the film; 7 deleted scenes
Length: 118 minutes
Rating: *****
One of last year’s great films, this touching, realistic and Kleenex-demanding drama brought us masterpiece-level acting from both Berry & Del Toro. Audrey is falling apart after the senseless killing of her husband, who had been the close and only friend of the Del Toro character – a dead-end heroin addict. Audrey invites Jerry to room with her and her two young children. At first she bottles up her grief and shock but as Jerry successfully goes cold turkey and develops a good relationship with her children she finally lets it all out.
The transfer is excellent, the surround little used but not necessary anyway, and the music – based on themes by Gustavo Santoalla – is well-used to deepen the pathos of the story. The discussion featurette about the film is well worth watching.
– John Sunier
